The Karma Revero GTS is a faster hybrid alternative to the GT

Karma Automotive has used the LA Show 2019 as an opportunity to unveil the Revero GTS, a hybrid-powered, top-performance version of the currently available Revero GT.

Exterior changes boil down to a rather restrained body kit (rear diffuser, rear spoiler, and side skirts) and special badges on the front fenders. The cabin features oak and elm inserts, genuine leather, touch-sensitive steering wheel controls, and an in-house designed audio system.

The tech is where things start to get interesting. The nominal output of the hybrid powertrain composed from a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder BMW engine and two electric motors has stayed the same at 543 hp (405 kW), but the maximum torque grew from 746 Nm (550 lb-ft) to 861 Nm (635 lb-ft), reducing the standard sprint time from 4.5 to just 3.9 seconds. The top speed remained capped at 209 km/h (130 mph).

It should be noted that the Karma Revero series sports the so-called ‘serial hybrid’ powertrain design, where the dual electric motors on the rear axle provide the only actual momentum, and the gasoline engine is used solely to replenish the battery power.

The traction battery measures 28 kWh and translates into 129 km (80 miles) of all-electric range. Add a maxed-out fuel tank, and the range extends to 579 kilometers (360 miles).

Further improvements over the GT include revised brakes and suspension, newly introduced noise cancelling system, ventilated seats, and OTA infotainment updates. The drivetrain supports multiple operation modes: all-electric, automatic (fires up the gas engine when the power runs low), and gasoline (forcibly initiates power generation).

The Karma Revero GTS will hit the assembly lines in the first quarter of 2020, but pre-orders are already available in the USA. The standard price tag is $150,000.