2020 Karma Revero Gets BMW’s TwinPower Turbo Engine

1 min readUpdated May 19, 2025Apr 23, 201911:05 PM

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Karma Automotive is all set to reveal its all new 2020 Revero luxury electric vehicle at Auto Shanghai 2019 and while there’s one teaser out yet, we didn’t know what the car will be powered by. The company announced that the 2020 Revero will use a BMW TwinPower turbo three-cylinder in-line engine supplied by BMW AG to power an on-board electric generator. BMW AG started working with Karma in 2015 to help develop the onboard generator systems used in the company’s new Revero.

Karma’s engineering team embarked on a complete redesign of the all-electric powertrain that underpins the new 2020 Revero. After extensive evaluation the team selected the highly-charged BMW engine as the optimal choice to support a new and more powerful high-voltage NMC lithium-ion battery pack and a new, transversely mounted, twin-motor rear drive module (RDM).

Thanks to this engine the performance of the Revero will be improved too and the car will be able to go from 0-96 kmph in just 4.5 seconds which is a second faster than the model it replaced. The 2020 Revero, along with Karma’s Pininfarina-designed concept car and its all-electric Vision concept car, will form the automaker’s product announcement at Auto Shanghai 2019.

Bob Kruse, Karma’s Chief Technology Officer said, “BMW AG is a natural fit for Karma’s luxury-tech focus because it is a proven technology leader renowned for conceiving and delivering ground-breaking innovations.”

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What this means

Karma's integration of BMW's proven engine technology into its 2020 Revero is a deliberate step to address performance concerns and bolster luxury-tech appeal in Asia. This collaboration allows Karma to immediately tap into BMW's engineering prestige, mitigating development risks. The performance boost, notably 0-96 kmph in 4.5 seconds, directly pressures rivals in the luxury EV segment who rely on in-house or less established power train solutions. While Tiffany & Co. And Chagee expand their physical footprints in Asia, Karma's approach focuses on technology partnership for market penetration. The primary risk lies in consumer perception of an 'assisted' luxury EV rather than a fully independent innovation. We must watch the vehicle's price point at its Auto Shanghai 2019 debut.

Wei Zhang · Retail News Asia newsroom

Questions & Answers

When will the 2020 Revero luxury electric vehicle be revealed?

The new 2020 Revero will be revealed at Auto Shanghai 2019. It will be part of Karma's product announcement at the event, alongside two concept cars.

What is the purpose of the BMW engine in the 2020 Revero?

The BMW TwinPower turbo three-cylinder in-line engine will be supplied by BMW AG to power an on-board electric generator. It supports a new high-voltage NMC lithium-ion battery pack and a twin-motor rear drive module.

How does the performance of the 2020 Revero compare to the previous model?

The 2020 Revero can go from 0-96 kmph in 4.5 seconds. This is a second faster than the model it replaced, indicating improved performance due to the new engine and redesigned powertrain.

Which other vehicles will Karma announce at Auto Shanghai 2019?

Alongside the 2020 Revero, Karma will also announce its Pininfarina-designed concept car and its all-electric Vision concept car. These three vehicles will form the automaker's product announcement.

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