cars news 10: Karma Revero Debuts With Solar Roof

Karma Automotive revealed its “new” car, the Revero, in a video this week. The sedan looks almost identical to the 2012 Fisker Karma, whose timeless design is now paying off.

Despite the visual similarities to its ill-fated predecessor, the Karma Revero receives some thoughtful updates. Karma says the Revero will be the first model sold in the U.S. with a solar roof that can power the vehicle. While the Fisker Karma (pictured in the gallery below) also had a solar panel, it was not used to help motivate the vehicle, but instead to power the lights and accessories. The car will be able to travel around 50 miles in EV mode before the gasoline engine starts running, reports Automotive News.

The Revero also benefits from a sleeker infotainment system and what Karma calls “super-charging capabilities.” Buyers can reserve their new Revero online starting September 8. Deliveries are expected to start no later than the first quarter of 2017, and during the car’s first year of production, only around 900 copies will be made, reports AN.

“Serving a mass market is not, and never will be, our purpose,” Karma Chief Revenue Officer Jim Taylor said in a statement. “The Revero is for a discerning group of individuals who desire beautiful, clean vehicles and a memorable ownership experience.”

Fisker had sold around 2,000 cars before it stopped production for good. The Fisker Karma, produced in Finland, suffered from recalls and the bankruptcy of its battery supplier A123 Systems. After being sold to Chinese conglomerate Wanxiang Group, the struggling company officially changed its name to Karma Automotive last year. Around that time, the automaker signed the lease on a factory in Moreno Valley, Calif., and it’s apparently also looking to produce cars in China.

Would you be more tempted to buy a Karma Revero or a Tesla Model S? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: Karma Automotive, Automotive News (Subscription required)