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2017 Karma Revero revealed:: revived plug-in hybrid goes on sale 2017

The Karma Revero has been launched, signalling a new beginning for the plug-in hybrid once known as the Fisker Karma.


Externally the Karma Revero doesn't look too different to the Fisker Karma that went out of production in 2012. There are some new badges, but that's basically it.

Under the skin, the extended-range EV drivetrain remains largely unchanged. There's a set of traction motors generating a total of 301kW of power and 1330Nm of torque for the rear wheels.

Under the bonnet there's a 175kW turbocharged four-cylinder GM engine that acts as a generator to recharge the car's lithium-ion battery pack, which now has a rated capacity of 21.4kWh, up 1.0kWh from the Fisker Karma.

Karma says that the Revero is capable of an electric driving range of up to 80 kilometres. Total driving range is said to be around 480km.

Flat out in sport mode, the Revero is able to sprint from 0-60mph (0-97km/h) in 5.4 seconds. The Revero is electronically limited to a top speed of 200km/h.

Like the original car, the updated Revero features solar panels on the roof. In the Revero, though, these solar panels are able to recharge the car's propulsion batteries, not just the 12V unit used by the car's accessories. According to Karma, the solar panels can provide up to an extra 2.5 kilometres of driving range per day, weather permitting, of course.

Other changes include an upgraded 6.6kW on-board L2 charger, which when hooked up to a 240V supply can recharge the car in three hours. On the US standard 120V supply, the Karma Revero takes around 10 hours to fully recharge.

There's also support for 40kW DC quick chargers that can replenish the car's depleted battery to 80 per cent within 24 minutes.

Another key upgrade over the original Karma is the Revero's new infotainment system, as well as a high-resolution digital instrumentation screen ahead of the driver.

The Revero rides on standard 22-inch alloy wheels fitted with 255/35 rubber up front and 285/35 tyres at the rear. Priced at US$130,000 ($169,000), the Revero comes fully loaded, with options basically limited to paint colours, alloy wheel design, interior appointments, and the colour of the brake callipers.

For reference, the Fisker Karma had a starting list price of US$103,000 ($134,000) back in 2011.

Most of the assets of Fisker Automotive were bought by Wanxiang in 2014 for US$124 million ($165 million) after the startup car maker filed for bankruptcy.

According to InsideEVs, Karma hopes to produce 900 Reveros next year, with the first cars delivered to customers during the first quarter of 2017.

These first copies of the Karma Revero will be sold in North America, and built at a new factory in Moreno Valley, California. The company reportedly has plans to build a factory in China with a capacity of 50,000 cars per annum.

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