Karma's 1,110-HP Electric Supercar Begins Testing

The brand's revolutionary new EV platform could be a game-changer.

Last month, Karma announced the development of the GTE, a fully electric version of the Karma Revero GT hybrid sports car. Karma's first-ever electric car will launch in 2021 and will be offered with either a 75-kWh lithium-ion battery delivering 200 miles of range or a 100-kWh battery offering a 300-mile range. Karma is also developing a "hyper-range" version with Tesla-beating 400-mile capability. This isn't the only EV Karma is planning to develop, however.

Underpinning the Revero GTE will be Karma's new 'E-Flex Platform' that can be used for a variety of different vehicle types for the road and track including supercars. This means the 1,100-hp Karma SC2 electric supercar concept is likely to enter production. After completing initial development last month, testing of this revolutionary platform has now begun.

Karma engineers have been testing the platform using an all-wheel drive performance EV prototype vehicle with the aim to achieve 1,100 hp and 10,500 lb-ft of torque, matching the output of the Karma SC2. Front and rear dual electric motors and a flat-floor 120 kWh battery also provide the prototype with optimal near 50/50 weight distribution and up to 400 miles range. The electric motors have already endured over a million miles of testing in the current 2020 Karma Revero GT.

To ensure the production version meets expectations, Karma has also been putting the electric prototype through its paces at the Thermal Club race track in California along with other performance circuits and conditions.

"Physical prototype testing is an important landmark for Karma, and an exciting milestone for all involved," said Kevin Zhang, Chief Technology Officer at Karma Automotive. "We aim to make sure the platform is capable of achieving leading standards in the supercar sector and is superior in every sense."

Michael Jones, Karma's Sr. Director of Body & Chassis Engineering who is finetuning the new prototype added: "The first time this prototype was on the track was a special moment. We've followed the development phase from ideation to creation of our E-Flex platform to testing in our prototype." Looks like the Lotus Evija, Pininfarina Battista, and Rimac C_Two are going to get some stiff competition.