Karma's Comeback Kid Promises to Crash Goodwood with a 1,000-HP Electric Supercar
Image Credit: Karma.
Another week, another electric hypercar promises to change my understanding of physics with silent, neck-snapping acceleration. This time, the folks at Karma Automotive are wheeling out their latest creation, the Kaveya, and they've chosen a charming British garden party to do it: the Goodwood Festival of Speed. I'd compare it to announcing a new MMA fighter at a tea and crumpets convention, but that's just me.
For those of you who've been just enjoying the glorious sound of internal combustion, Karma has been on a bit of a journey. You could think of them as the comeback kid of the car world, constantly reinventing themselves. Now, they're telling us they are "America's only full-line ultra-luxury vehicle manufacturer." A bold claim, considering most of us are still trying to figure out what "ultra-luxury" even means. Does the car come with a free butler? A small island?
Image Credit: Karma.
The main event, of course, is this Kaveya. It's a super coupe, they say, which is automotive speak for "it has two doors and goes like the absolute clappers." And on paper, it certainly seems to. We're talking about a 1,000-horsepower, all-electric beast draped in a full carbon fiber suit. When you're spending an estimated $375,000, you don't really want your car made of something as common as metal.
Karma is bringing a "development prototype" to Goodwood, which is a clever way of saying, "Here's what it will look like; please don't notice if bits fall off." This prototype will be sent up the legendary 1.16-mile Goodwood Hillclimb twice a day. This is a strip of tarmac more accustomed to roaring V8s and screaming V12s. Sending a silent EV up the hill feels like playing a rock anthem on a harp. Interesting? Sure, but will it stir the soul in the same way? We shall see, but we won't hear.
Image Credit: Karma.
The Kaveya is expected to rocket from 0 to 60 mph in under three seconds. Top speed is a claimed 180 mph. Power comes from a 120 kWh battery pack, which is a colossal slab of lithium-ion that Karma claims is good for a range of over 250 miles. Not bad, but let's be honest, if you're using all 1,000 of those horses, you'll be lucky to make it to the end of your driveway before needing a top-up.
Visually, it's certainly dramatic. It's all swoops and aggressive angles, looking like a stealth fighter that had a passionate affair with a stingray. The doors go up, of course. They're called butterfly doors, which is a delicate name for a feature that exists purely to make you look impossibly cool while struggling to get out with any semblance of dignity. It's got a wheelbase of 107 inches and an overall length of about 188 inches, making it a sizable thing. And at an estimated 5,300 pounds, it's no lightweight. All those batteries are the electric equivalent of a holiday feast.
Image Credit: Karma.
Karma's President, Marques McCammon, says the Kaveya "signals Karma Automotive's evolution." He's not wrong. They're not just stopping here. They have a whole parade of new models planned. First, there's the Revero, an "Extended-Range Electric Vehicle" (EREV) that's already on sale. It has a 536-horsepower electric motor but also a gasoline engine that acts as a generator, for a combined range of around 360 miles. A sensible solution for those with range anxiety, or as I call it, "common sense."
Then, coming down the pipeline are the Gyesera four-seater in late 2025, the Amaris coupe in late 2026, and something called the Ivara GT-UV in 2028. A "GT-UV" sounds suspiciously like a big, fast SUV, which every carmaker seems contractually obligated to produce these days. Still, it shows they have a plan, and in the wild world of electric startups, having a plan that extends beyond next Tuesday is a victory in itself.
Image Credit: Karma.
But let's get back to the Kaveya. You won't actually be able to buy one until 2027. This is the "MY2028" model. They're giving us a two-year heads-up, which is either supreme confidence or a very, very long time to work out the kinks. For a cool starting price of around $375,000, you get to be the first on your block to own a piece of California's "ultra-luxury" future.
What a way to end a week full of electrifying news. A 1,000-horsepower electric missile from a company determined to carve out its own niche. It's got the looks, it's got the power, and it's got a matching price tag. Is it the future? Probably. Is it a bit silly? Absolutely. But a bit of silly, carbon-fiber-clad, butterfly-doored madness is exactly what the doctor prescribed.
