The Karma Kaveya sets a new standard for EV sports car design.
by Wallace Wyss –
It may seem befuddling for those waiting for U.S. EV makers to come up with affordable cars under $25,000 but a tiny electric car maker has announced a sports car that will compete against Ferraris and Lamborghinis in price.
I can think of the overall good this would do. Electric cars emerged, like the Nissan Leaf, as short range slow cars. So owners of ICE cars would say “Not for me.” But if the leading supercars five years from now are all electric, it gives us a shining city on a hill to aim for. Anyway here’s my take on the design:
FRONT Looks like the Pininfarina Batista with somebody’s spoiler jammed across the front like it picked up road trash.
SIDE Ahead of the flip up-and-forward doors it’s ’70s Ferrari 308GTS. The side sculpturing adds some interest; hope is useful for aero. Like the more abbreviated rear third. Wheels don’t detract attention from the whole as much as some cars.
REAR Very dramatic. While others used gunshot-tall taillamps, theirs follow the curve of the fenders and emphasizes that voluptuous shape. The bottom third sags a little at the ends, would rather have all that be straight across. Extendable rear spoiler hides well.
INTERIOR Refreshingly “normal” that is to say not too much like jet fighter though I say world is still not ready for the horizontal “yoke” steering wheel.
Karma attributes the design to their VP of Karma Global Design Michelle Christensen who some may remember did the Acura NSX from 2017 to 2021 (First time this writer has attributed a car design to a woman!).
SPECS from their website:
Range >250 miles
Wheelbase 107″
Length 187.7″
Width 78.8″
Height 49.4″
Curb Weight (est): 5300 lb
Construction Aluminum Spaceframe
Body Panels Carbon Fiber
Suspension Aluminum SLA
Combined Torque 1270 lb.ft
Battery Capacity HV 120 kWh
Charging Time (10 – 80%) 46 min.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
THE AUTHOR Wallace Wyss, a longtime automotive design critic, has guest lectured at the Art Center College of Design.
Could someone explain why every EV has to have some unpronounceable name ? Karma Kramer flows much better off the lips.