The All-New Karma Amaris Faces Some Tough Competition
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Karma Automotive is the American automotive company that rose from the ashes of Fisker Automotive. It has quietly sold the Karma Revero, formerly known as the Fisker GS-6, which has been in production for roughly a decade.
At this year’s Monterey Car Week, Karma Automotive unveiled its latest project, a luxurious, hybrid grand tourer called the Karma Amaris. While there’s no doubting it’s a good-looking GT, its specs and pricing have placed it in a very competitive segment. As far as the American market is concerned, these are the 10 vehicles that the Karma Amaris will have to face.
The cars selected for this article have been chosen based on the prices, specs, performance, and value in comparison to the Karma Amaris. The cars we’ve selected are arranged alphabetically by manufacturer’s name.
Aston Martin Vantage S
Why It’s A Threat: Styling, Cabin, And Performance
|
Engine |
4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
670 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
|
Torque |
590 lb-ft @ 2,000–5,000 rpm |
|
0-60 |
3.3 seconds |
In 2025, Aston Martin significantly revised and updated the Aston Martin Vantage. This facelift brought along new styling, a new interior, and a serious bump in power. However, that was not the end of the British automaker’s efforts. In the middle of the year, we were introduced to an offshoot of the Vantage with greater performance, sharpened suspension, and more aggressive exterior styling. Called the Aston Martin Vantage S, it is, in essence, an evolution of the popular British sports car but with a more striking design, characterized by its gaping front end and muscular physique shrouding a potent powertrain.
While the Karma Amaris has a higher power output, the Aston Martin Vantage S’ twin-turbocharged V8 engine manages to propel the Vantage S to 60 mph quicker than the Amaris and to a higher top speed. Its chassis benefits from the addition of a new solid-mounted rear subframe to improve torsional stiffness, while also gaining new bracing and thicker roll bars. In terms of pricing, the Aston Martin Vantage S will likely demand roughly $35,000 more than the $200,000 Karma Amaris. However, anyone considering this car might be more inclined to opt for an established and revered brand that offers a more polished and better-performing vehicle.
Bentley Continental GT Speed
Why It’s A Threat: Better Luxury And Greater Performance
|
Engine |
4.0-liter twin-turbocharged hybrid |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
771 hp |
|
Torque |
738 lb-ft |
|
0-60 |
3.3 seconds |
The Bentley Continental GT Speed is not a threat to the Karma Amaris when it comes to price, because America’s newest super sports car undercuts the Continental GT Speed’s price-tag by nearly $100,000. The threat lies in the luxury and performance of the Bentley Continental GT Speed compared to Karma Automotive’s offering.
Its twin-turbocharged hybrid V8 engine, which needed to carry on the torch when it replaced the legendary W12, manages to produce more power when its V8 engine and its electric motor work together than the Karma Amaris’s hybrid powertrain. Although its performance capabilities are one of its defining features, the Continental GT Speed also has a luxurious interior, not surprising considering the brand that it hails from, which is accentuated by Bentley’s 3D diamond hide upholstery finish and carbon-fiber dashboard.
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Why It’s A Threat: Performance And Pricing
|
Engine |
5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
1,064 hp @ 7,000 rpm |
|
Torque |
828 lb-ft @ 6,000 rpm |
|
0-60 |
2.3 seconds |
We return to home soil. Although it is not a grand tourer, it has set the goalpost in terms of new American performance cars with a six-figure price tag. The Karma Amaris is built around the pairing of a four-cylinder engine and electric motors to muster 708 hp. Still, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 relies on one of the smallest engines ever used in a Corvette, which only needs two of the largest turbochargers fitted to a road-going production car to achieve a total output of 1,064 hp.
That power is directed rearward, allowing the ZR1 to reach 60 mph in 2.3 seconds. In every performance metric, it is the Chevrolet Corvette that comes out on top. That dominance in performance capabilities comes with a much more palatable asking price, asthe Corvette ZR1 demans nearly $70,000 less than the Amaris. As a result, we doubt any consumer seeking performance above all would choose the Karma Amaris over the Chevrolet C8 Corvette ZR1.
Ferrari Roma
Why It’s A Threat: Luxury, Brand Reputation, And Driving Experience
|
Engine |
3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
612 hp @ 7,500 rpm |
|
Torque |
561 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm |
|
0-60 |
3.1 seconds |
An Italian grand tourer against an American grand tourer. Although the Ferrari Roma’s replacement has already been unveiled, we’re earmarking the Ferrari Roma as the main threat in the Ferrari camp, as the Ferrari 12Cilindri is an entirely different league with a price-tag that could afford two examples of the Karma Amaris. The Roma is a more reasonable pick because its price-tag is a little easier to swallow, sitting in the high $200,000s.
Its twin-turbocharged V8 engine doesn’t produce as much power as the Amaris’ hybrid system, but its feats of performance, like its 0-60 mph sprint, are significantly quicker. Add to that the fact that this is a Ferrari and, as such, its interior is lined with high-quality materials that culminate in a cabin with a greater level of luxury than the Karma Amaris.
Maserati MC20 Cielo
Why It’s A Threat: Performance and Driving Experience
|
Engine |
3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
621 hp @ 7,500 rpm |
|
Torque |
538 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm |
|
0-60 |
2.9 seconds |
Maserati’s lineup needed an injection of unbridled performance, and that would eventually arrive in the form of the Maserati MC20. The Maserati MC20 Cielo is not our only pick from the Italian marque, but it was our pick for this list because of its performance. Similar to the Aston Martin Vantage S, the Maserati MC20 Cielo doesn’t have a higher power output than the Karma Amaris. However, its performance is better, at least when looking at the cars’ on-paper specifications. As far as the interior is concerned, the Karma Amaris takes the lead, although the Maserati is still a supremely nice place to spend some time. Still, in terms of exterior design and performance, the Maserati MC20 Cielo is the one to have, with a price tag starting in the mid-$200k region.
Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo
Why It’s A Threat: Price.
|
Engine |
3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
542 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
|
Torque |
479 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm |
|
0-60 |
3.2 seconds |
Are we going crazy, or does the Karma Amaris look a little like the Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo? Maybe it’s the headlights, but I digress. The Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo undercuts the pricetag of Karma Automotive’s latest super sports car, while offering a level of performance nearly on par with this hybrid sports car. Its strength comes from the same twin-turbocharged Nettuno V6 engine as the Maserati MC20, but slightly diluted to produce a lower power output.
Compared to the Karma Amaris, the Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo is quicker and faster, with its performance sweetened by the fact that it is more affordable than a base-spec example of the Amaris. Still, if this isn’t enough power, the Maserati GranTurismo Folgore, the all-electric offshoot, relies on three electric motors that produce more power than the Karma Amaris.
McLaren GTS
Why It’s A Threat: Pricing, Performance, And Value
|
Engine |
4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
626 hp |
|
Torque |
465 lb-ft |
|
0-60 |
3.1 seconds |
The McLaren GTS is the continuation of McLaren’s grand tourer, the McLaren GT. It was introduced in 2023, based on the same platform as the McLaren GT, but was distinguished by its new exterior design, lower curb weight, and improved performance. The 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 remained, although in this configuration it produced slightly more power (a difference of 14 horsepower), which makes it the model with the highest power-to-weight ratio in its class.
It is significantly more powerful than its predecessor, possessing enough power to outpace the Karma Amaris, all while being offered at a price tag within arm’s reach of the all-new American. We suspect that within the GT class and the same price bracket, it is the McLaren GTS that poses one of the biggest threats to Karma Automotive’s latest offering.
Mercedes-AMG GT63 S E Performance Coupe
Why It’s A Threat: Performance And Features.
|
Engine |
4.0-liter twin-turbocharged plug-in-hybrid V8 |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
816 hp |
|
Torque |
1,047 lb-ft |
|
0-60 |
2.8 seconds |
The Mercedes-AMG GT63 S E Performance is an exciting medley of the performance-obsessed automaker’s most powerful engine and most capable hybrid system, all tucked in one of the automaker’s most iconic bodies. A twin-turbocharged V8 engine works in tandem with a single electric motor and is overseen by the automaker’s 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system, which is a large part of the powerful two-door coupe’s ability to reach 60 mph in less than three seconds.
A potent powertrain is accommodated by way of the AMG Active Ride Control suspension system that utilizes semi-active roll stabilization and adaptive dampers, which eliminate the need for conventional torsion bar stabilizers. It also utilizes rear-axle steering and benefits from extensive active aerodynamic parts. These are a few of the components that make the Mercedes-AMG GT63 S E Performance a real threat to the Karma Amaris.
Mercedes-AMG SL63 S E Performance
Why It’s A Threat: Pricing And Performance.
|
Engine |
4.0-liter twin-turbocharged hybrid V8 |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
805 hp @ 5,500–6,500 rpm |
|
Torque |
1,047 lb-ft @ 2,500–5,000 rpm |
|
0-60 |
2.8 seconds |
The Mercedes-AMG SL63 S E Performance strikes the same chords with us as the Mercedes-AMG GT63 S E Performance. The two models share an engine, with the SL model having a slightly lower output, but it retains the powerful electric motor that provides an additional output of 201 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque to allow for a 0-60 mph sprint in less than three seconds.
A lot of the same architecture that attracted us to the GT63 S E Performance can be found on this model, and, when considering that its price-tag is on par with that of the Karma Amaris, we feel that the Mercedes-AMG SL63 S E Performance is a strong contender.
Porsche 911 Turbo
Why It’s A Threat: Driving Expense, Brand Reputation, Performance, And Pricing.
|
Engine |
3.8-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six |
|---|---|
|
Horsepower |
572 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
|
Torque |
553 lb-ft @ 2,250 rpm |
|
0-60 |
2.7 seconds |
The Porsche 911 is arguably one of the best sports cars you can buy. However, when it comes to slugging it out over power outputs and sprint times with the pricing at the back of your mind, it’s the Porsche 911 Turbo coupe that we’ve chosen from the German automaker’s stable as the obstacle in the way of the Karma Amaris.
It wields a 3.8-liter flat-six engine that, while not as vocal as the engine found in the Porsche 911 GT3, does offer astounding straight-line speed, far greater than what’s given with the Karma Amaris. Not only that, but this German road-legal cruise missile is also offered at nearly the same price as the Karma Amaris starts, while offering a greater level of performance in a car that can also do the tasks of a grand tourer.
Sources: Karma Automotive, Mercedes-AMG, McLaren, Porsche, Maserati, Ferrari, Chevrolet, Bentley, Aston Martin
