Update: Check out live images of the Karma SC2 coupe concept from the LA Auto Show in the gallery below

Karma has arrived at the 2019 LA Auto Show with a brand new electric concept car dubbed the SC2. It is said to feature cutting-edge technology and a look that’s meant to preview the automaker’s future design direction.



Its front and rear mounted twin electric motors produce 1,100 HP and 10,500 lb-ft (14,000 Nm) of wheel torque. Yes, we know that torque figure is crazy, so we contacted Karma and got confirmation that it is, indeed, correct. It’s worth noting, though, that wheel torque (*) is influenced by gearing, so you multiply the engine torque by gear ratio and final drive to get that number. At the same time, the SC2 provides a range of 350 miles (563 km) on a single charge and can accelerate to 60 mph (96 km/h) in less than 1.9 seconds.

“Karma’s SC2 is a signpost to our future as a technology-driven brand. More than that, it previews our future design language, and is a thought-provoking expression of Karma’s future Intellectual Property and product offerings,” stated the company’s CEO, Dr Lance Zhou. “Our open platform serves as a test bed for new technologies and partnerships, where we are to provide engineering, design, technology and customization resources others.”

Related: Karma Unveils Final Four 2019 Reveros And They’re All Customized

Features include carbon ceramic brakes, a pushrod racing suspension and the automaker’s torque vectoring gearbox. Then there’s the ultrasonic dynamic regenerative panel, which is said to give the SC2 high performance handling.

“SC2 presents an optimistic and bold message about Karma’s future as we enthusiastically accept the challenge of elevating experience-driven mobility,” said Karma design exec Andreas Thurner. “In creating SC2, we have enhanced the thrill of the open road through connected, interactive patented technology, beyond that of a traditional high-performance luxury vehicle.”

Drive and Play

Karma’s exclusive Drive and Play technology is incorporated in the SC2 concept, allowing automotive and gaming enthusiasts to re-live their previous drives through a simulated driving experience within their own vehicle.

This technology works using a triple high definition camera under the windshield and frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) lidar sensors that provide a 360 capture of the car while in motion, within a 3D environment. After the drive, the SC2’s adaptive laser projector replays the journey while the car is parked, when “a mounted smartphone acts as the cabin’s rear-view mirror; transforming SC2 into a driving simulator where the user can re-experience their drive and fine-tune their skills.”

You can even share the experience with others while also streaming routes from around the world within your own vehicle.

As for the way this concept looks, it features a bespoke Vapor Grey hand-painted exterior with patented articulating hinge winged doors that rise upward and forward to reveal a fiber optic headliner. Meanwhile, an I-shaped 120 kWh battery is housed within the center tunnel and beneath the dashboard and seats.

Other available tech includes fingerprint and facial recognition sensors for vehicle entry, while the Biometric seats and steering wheel provide both control and comfort. There’s also a 3D audio system that creates individual zones for the driver and passenger, while the electro-chromatic glass shifts from clear to opaque in order to offer privacy or protection from light.

“SC2’s extreme design and proportions are expressive of Karma’s unique intersections of technology, performance and luxury,” added Thurner. “We challenged ourselves to design a street-ready hypercar concept, using Karma’s in-house IP and components. Now, through Karma’s open-platform, SC2’s technology can be integrated into a variety of future vehicles.”