The world’s cup runneth over with electric sedans, SUVs, and even hatchbacks if you’re in Europe. But what of the electric supercar? The new Karma Kaveya aims to join that segment, and it’s going to look damn good doing so.
If you think the Karma name sounds familiar, that’s because it is. Karma Automotive was founded in 2014, after Chinese company Wanxian Group purchased the assets of the original Fisker Automotive brand. Not to be confused with Fisker Inc., which was Henrik Fisker’s second attempt at an auto company—which was founded in 2016 and went bankrupt earlier this year. In contrast, Karma Automotive seems to be doing quite well with its Chinese owners if this new debut is anything to go by.
The upcoming Karma Kaveya has shown up at Monterey Car Week, and our operatives were on the ground to snap some photos. Let’s dive into the details—and some of those delicious design features.
Swoosh
First up, vitals. You’re getting a nice round 1,000 horsepower, and a healthy 1,270 pound-feet of torque. That’ll net you a zero to 60 mph time of under three seconds, on to a top speed of 180 mph. Those numbers are nothing to sniff at. At the same time, they’re not wild either, given that there are now four-door luxury sedans delivering the same sprint in closer to 2 seconds flat.
As is typical for sportier, high performance EVs, range isn’t the foremost concern. Still, the 120 kWh battery is good for a range of over 250 miles according to Karma. 
Really, though, what stands out about the Kaveya is its design. It sits low and wide, just as the best supercars do. There’s a hint of Ferrari proportions to it, particularly in the front bumper. Meanwhile, the upward-opening doors are nicely executed. They’re practically a cliche at this point, but if you’re going to sell a desirable sportscar with four-figure horsepower, it needs weird doors. Those are just the rules. Ditto for the rear spoiler that raises at speed.
However, the Kaveya has plenty of unique tricks all its own. Notably, Karma touts its “Stealth Tech”—”a ‘reductionary’ approach to hide features when they aren’t in use.” What does that mean in practice? The headlights come with hideaway shutters, and there’s a sliding panel that covers the windscreen wipers in their stationary position.
These aren’t just a gimmick that make the car look cooler—they likely improve its aerodynamic performance, too. There is also the neat use of LED elements, with the “Target Lighting” on the center of the bumper and hood giving the model a highly individual appearance at night.
Karma has also been proud to state that it is working with Intel Automotive on this project. The two companies are collaborating with regards to Software-Defined Vehicle Architecture. It sounds like a lot of marketing speak, but if you squint, it appears to be an effort to slash the excessive use of copper in vehicle wiring while optimizing the use of electrical and computing resources in modern vehicles.
There are still a few things we don’t know about the Kaveya. Pricing isn’t out yet, and it’s not clear precisely when it will hit the market, though the 2026 model year has been mentioned by some outlets. Nor do we have a precise idea as to the configuration of its drivetrain. However, we do know that it’s built with an aluminum space frame, with carbon fiber panels making up the body.
If you want a Kaveya, you’ve likely got some waiting to do. Still, that’s typical for a lot of EV supercars that have been announced in recent years. You can, however, place a reservation today if so desired. Because, hey—you’d probably look really cool stepping out of those awesome butterfly doors.
Image credits: Matt Hardigree, Jason Torchinsky, KarmaÂ
If this company has anything to do with that asshat Heinrech Fisker burn it with fire, as a designer he has some real credits to his name no question.
As an automotive company founder though… I don’t understand why “investors” keep giving him money unless they are using what they know will be losses which can be written off so they don’t have to pay taxes.
If German Henry is not involved… good luck to them
It doesn’t. It’s a Chinese company that bought the assets, as per the article
Yeah I did see that in the article. I know sometimes old owners stick around for consulting / ‘advice’, hopefully that’s not the case here bc German Henry has proven he’s good at designing car exteriors though terrible at creating financially solvent car companies, which history shows IS pretty incredibly difficlut
Yeah, you’d think he’d have learnt his lesson with the Karma, but clearly not. I was very skeptical when his new company popped up.
Yoke w/ a screen? I’m gonna puke…
Irrelevant for the target customer of this thing, but 250 miles out of a 120 kWh battery seems like a joke considering the 5 mi/kWh efficiency number that Lucid has been crowing about referenced in an article earlier today. “5? The best I can do is 2, take it or leave it…”
Excellent Russ Hanneman reference.
If we can’t have pop-up headlights, I want the next best thing.
“Because, hey—you’d probably look really cool stepping out of those awesome butterfly doors.”
Anyone would look exactly as cool as stepping out of a ’97 Civic with these shitty doors.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0179/7367/4038/files/Honda-Civic-Lambo-Doors-VDCHC9295-ryan-4_600x600.jpg?v=1706630050
“Karma Automotive seems to be doing quite well … “
Erm, you’re more likely to see a Fisker Ocean on the road than a Karma Revero/GS-6. In fact it’s entirely possible there are more original Fisker Karmas than cars the reborn company has made. Their sales are dismal, by some accounts only 400-some cars in five model years, and what they’re selling now are leftover 2022’s, that’s their last EPA certification.
I like oddball manufacturers as much as anyone and hope Karma makes it just to provide spice to the industry, but I’m not holding my breath that the Kaveya makes it to market in any significant numbers.
A few years ago, I took my son to Nitro Circus. It’s a bunch of guys doing bike tricks, skateboard stunts, etc on these HUUUUGE ramps. It was pretty amazing.
For about 30 minutes.
Then it just became “Another guy rollerblading off a 60′ ramp into a triple flip through a tunnel of fire. Yawn.”
I think I’m experiencing the same thing with all these electric supercars.
“Neat! A car I will never see, let alone own!”
The only thing that’s worth learning about these cars is specific tech that will hopefully filter down to the normal vehicles we buy.
Hard disagree on Nitro Circus, it was a great show throughout when I went. Highly recommended.
But agreed on the supercars. I’m over it, at least in part because I’m never going to drive one so, like…why do I care? It’s not as though the tech is trickling down like the supercars of yore.
Yippee! Another “supercar” for the 1%!
Ooh look!
Hand stitched cruelty-free halo-polishing e-hankies and a telescoping “forever straw” to suck up the accolades are included if you preorder.
Well the existence of Karma automotive keeps alive the joke involving a Pinarello bicycle “my Karma ran over my Dogma”
I shit you not, I know someone who did this in real life. He’s even a dentist (well, orthodontist) too. Ten years later he still has not lived it down.
That’s amazing, FWIW he’s an atypical dentist since per Bike Snob dentists usually rock a Serotta or Cervelo.
Technically, Fisker Inc was Henrik Fisker’s 4th attempt at an automotive company, after Fisker Coachbuild, Fisker Automotive, and VLF. I guess you can say the guy produces consistent results
He and Erik Buell should compare notes.
Buell was reasonably successful under Erik’s stewardship, in that it managed to be a going concern. It took Harley-Davidson taking it over for it to fail, that was not 100% on his watch. EBR would be on him, but that makes him 1-1 I’d say.
Malcolm Bricklin might be a better comparison to Henrik Fisker.
Fair enough. I think Buell’s new venture (Fuell) is pretty great – I have their pedal assist bike. But I have doubts he/they can spin that up into their proposed City electric motorcycle, as cool as it looks.
It’s the get rich mantra, fail fast, fail often. For some reason the punters completely support the paradigm. Must be a tax fiddle or something.