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What We Know So Far

Admin April 21, 2021

0 17 4 minutes read

Overview

The 2021 Karma lineup consists of a single, dramatic looking, lavishly appointed sedan with three available powertrains. The GS-6 is powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The forthcoming Revero GT is also a plug-in hybrid that the company claims will offer far more performance than the GS-6. The third member of the Karma family is the all-electric GSe-6, which will have a claimed driving range of more than 300 miles. All three Karma models feature a four-seat configuration within a lengthy wheelbase that aligns with full-size luxury barges like the Audi A8 and Mercedes-Benz S-class. But the Karma trios’ overall dimensions are similar to premium mid-size sports sedans such as the BMW 8-series Gran Coupe and Porsche Panamera. Karma lavishes them with high-end cabin materials and bespoke options as well as an assortment of popular and high-tech features. The GS-6’s hybrid system generates a combined 536 horsepower and has an EPA-rated electric-only range of up to 61 miles. The all-wheel-drive Revero GT is expected to have more than 1100 horses, but we’re still waiting for the company to release full details.

What’s New for 2021?

Following the bankruptcy and sale of Fisker Automotive to Chinese auto-parts maker Wanxiang in 2014, the fantastical styling and other componentry of the original plug-in-hybrid Fisker Karma sedan were repurposed by the new owners. The reborn carmaker is known as Karma Automotive, is based in California, and is looking to make its one-car portfolio appeal to a wider audience. To that end it has introduced the 2021 GS-6 as a more affordable version of the Revero. The rebadging means the entry-level GS-6 has a starting price that undercuts the upcoming version of the more powerful Revero GT by nearly $61,000. Karma will also offer a pure-electric model, the GSe-6, in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Although Karma has released pricing for all the upcoming versions of its sedan, the GS-6 is currently the only one that’s currently available at dealerships. While we haven’t driven any of them, we think the standard GS-6 will prove to be the best value, because the surcharge for the Luxury and Sport trims largely looks to be for cosmetic upgrades.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Every GS-6 features a plug-in-hybrid powertrain that utilizes a BMW-sourced turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine that essentially acts as a generator for the sedan’s dual rear-mounted electric motors. They produce a combined output of 536 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque. Karma says this setup allows the sedan to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The GS-6 Sport benefits from an additional 74 pound-feet of torque and different tuning that reduces its claimed zero-to-60-mph time to 3.9 seconds. A set of 21-inch wheels are standard and 22-inchers are optional. We don’t have much technical information on the upcoming GSe-6 or the Revero GT, but Karma says the latter will have all-wheel drive and more than 1100 horsepower.

Steve SilerCar and Driver

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

The all-electric, rear-drive GSe-6 will have a battery pack with a usable capacity of 103 kWh that’s expected to provide a driving range of more than 300 miles. While we don’t yet know its charging times, we know it’ll be compatible with fast charging. The battery in the plug-in-hybrid variants provide between 54 and 61 miles of pure-electric driving depending upon wheel size. Karma says their battery can be replenished from 5 to 95 percent in four hours with a 240-volt outlet and in 34 minutes with a 480-volt DC fast charger.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Those who opt for the larger 22-inch-wheel option on the GS-6 or Revero GT will see a lower MPGe rating, according to government estimates. The GS-6 with 21-inchers carries a 70 MPGe rating while the larger rollers drop that figure to 62 MPGe. We will see how those forecasts fare in the real world once we test run on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen. For more information about the GS-6 and Revero GT’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside, the Karma GS-6 and Revero GT have a similar design and layout to the original Fisker Karma that debuted over a decade ago. However, the new versions have more modern features, such as a fully digital gauge cluster. The cabin is still beautifully stitched together with leather surfaces and appointed with rich materials that include wood or carbon fiber. One thing that’s unusual about the sedan’s interior is its standard four-seat configuration, with passengers on each side being separated by a center console that spans the length of the interior. Beneath this tunnel is the car’s battery pack and above it are cupholders, storage compartments, and window switches for folks in both rows.

Steve SilerCar and Driver

Infotainment and Connectivity

Implanted in the middle of the Karma sedan’s dashboard is a 10.2-inch touchscreen that acts as the control center for its infotainment system. Along with the ability to accept over-the-air updates, the unit includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Karma app also allows users to remotely lock or unlock the vehicle’s doors, access its charging schedule, and activate its preconditioning system.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Although Karma doesn’t currently have any noteworthy self-driving features like Tesla’s Autopilot or GM’s Super Cruise, it does have a sizable roster of contemporary driver-assistance technology. For more information about the GS-6 and Revero GT’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Standard automated emergency braking
Standard adaptive cruise control
Standard blind-spot monitoring

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Karma’s limited warranty matches luxury stalwarts such as BMW and Porsche, and its powertrain coverage is longer than both of them by two years and 30,000 miles. The German automakers offer some level of complimentary maintenance, though.