Karma Automotive has officially introduced an ultra-exclusive, bespoke vehicle program that will grant just nine elite clients the opportunity to commission entirely unique, one-off automobiles featuring extensive structural, mechanical, and aesthetic modifications. Serving as the vanguard of this elite program is the Karma Eximius 1, a track-focused, high-performance machine that redefines the limits of the brand’s engineering capabilities. By combining a heavily revised architecture with a staggering plug-in hybrid V8 powertrain, the Eximius 1 aims to shatter expectations of what a luxury grand tourer derivative can achieve on both the street and the circuit.
While the vehicle retains the foundational greenhouse, roofline, lighting elements, and doors of the Karma Gyesera—itself an evolutionary successor to the discontinued Revero and the original 2011 Fisker Karma—virtually every other component has been dramatically transformed. The result is a striking, aggressive track weapon that pairs ferocious performance figures with an uncompromising four-seat interior layout, setting a new benchmark for ultra-low-volume luxury manufacturing.
A Heritage of Evolution: From Fisker to Gyesera
To understand the magnitude of the Eximius 1, it is necessary to examine the lineage of the platform from which it descends. The journey began over a decade ago with the debut of the Fisker Karma, a pioneering extended-range electric luxury sedan that captured global attention for its striking design and innovative powertrain philosophy. Following the restructuring of the company under Chinese automotive conglomerate Wanxiang Group, the enterprise was rebranded as Karma Automotive, breathing new life into the legacy platform through iterations like the Revero and, more recently, the Gyesera.
The Gyesera initially debuted as a fully electric GT before transitioning toward a sophisticated range-extender setup capable of generating 566 horsepower. However, Karma’s clientele often commands an entirely different tier of exclusivity and performance. The Eximius 1 was conceived precisely to satisfy this demand. According to Karma Automotive President and CEO Marques McCammon, the project originated from a dialogue with a passionate Karma Revero owner who desired something far more extreme and unexpected than anything available on the standard market.
Radical Aerodynamics and Bespoke Exterior Craftsmanship
From a visual standpoint, the Eximius 1 bears little resemblance to its tamer corporate siblings. The exterior styling has been comprehensively re-engineered to optimize downforce, manage thermal loads, and project a commanding visual presence.
The front and rear fascias have been entirely redesigned, incorporating futuristic air intakes and heat-management outlets flanked by sharp, diagonal daytime running lights (DRLs). The hood has been vented to improve airflow evacuation from the engine bay, while the flanks are defined by carbon fiber fender extensions, aggressive side skirts complete with integrated aerodynamic fins, and a lowered stance. At the rear, a complex, motorsport-derived diffuser works in tandem with a fixed rear spoiler to ensure high-speed stability.
The vehicle is finished in a mesmerizing shade of Borealis Blue, accented by contrasting white graphics and exposed carbon fiber elements that highlight its lightweight composite construction. The exterior package is completed by a set of lightweight 21-inch magnesium wheels, which not only reduce unsprung mass but also house a high-performance braking system featuring carbon-ceramic discs and two-piece slotted rotors.
The Most Powerful Plug-In Hybrid V8 Ever Developed
Underneath its aggressive carbon fiber skin lies the crown jewel of the Eximius 1: a revolutionary series plug-in hybrid powertrain that Karma claims is the most powerful PHEV system ever developed for a production vehicle.
While the exact engineering specifications point to a roots-system featuring a formidable 6.2-liter V8 internal combustion engine—widely associated with General Motors architecture—the integration goes far beyond a simple engine swap. The internal combustion component alone generates approximately 550 horsepower, while a robust configuration of electric motors adds another 650 horsepower. Combined, the system yields a staggering total output of roughly 1,200 horsepower.
This immense output is funneled through a sophisticated drivetrain that allows the four-seat track weapon to sprint from 0 to 60 miles per hour (0 to 96 kilometers per hour) in a blistering 2.7 seconds. When given adequate room on a closed circuit or unrestricted asphalt, the Eximius 1 will continue to accelerate until it reaches a top speed exceeding 200 miles per hour (322 kilometers per hour).
To harness this level of power, Karma engineers heavily modified the car’s traditional aluminum spaceframe chassis. Handling dynamics are elevated via a sophisticated semi-active suspension system supplied by Öhlins, paired with a widened track that drastically improves cornering grip and high-speed stability.
Driver-Centric Cockpit and Track-Ready Interior
The interior of the Eximius 1 reflects its dual identity as both a high-end luxury cruiser and a focused track machine. Cabin architecture is organized around four individual Recaro bucket seats, ensuring that all occupants are securely held in place during high-G cornering maneuvers.
The cabin is swathed in a combination of Alcantara upholstery finished in Borealis Blue and Moondust, contrasted heavily by exposed carbon fiber trim panels throughout the dash and center console. Upholding its track-oriented ethos, Karma integrated a motorsport-inspired emergency electrical kill switch prominently on the center console. In a further nod to track readiness, a custom carbon fiber racing helmet is neatly mounted directly between the rear seats, ready for immediate deployment.
Production Timeline, Pricing, and Market Implications
The unveiling of the Eximius 1 marks a significant strategic shift for Karma Automotive. By leaning into ultra-exclusive, coachbuilt one-offs, the company is positioning itself not merely as a manufacturer of niche electric and hybrid sedans, but as a serious player in the rarefied air of bespoke hypercar craftsmanship, rubbing shoulders with low-volume coachbuilders and bespoke divisions of legacy luxury marques.
Logistically, the Eximius 1 program is exceptionally restricted. Karma has confirmed that only nine units will ever be built, ensuring that each of the nine bespoke vehicles will feature its own unique styling and mechanical configurations tailored to the precise specifications of their respective buyers.
Official pricing for the Eximius 1 has not been publicly disclosed by Karma Automotive. However, industry analysts note that given the extensive engineering required to develop a 1,200-horsepower plug-in hybrid powertrain, coupled with custom carbon-fiber bodywork and top-tier track components, the Eximius 1 will undoubtedly command the highest price tag of any vehicle ever produced by the company.
Deliveries for the inaugural Karma Eximius 1 are officially scheduled to commence in 2027. As the automotive industry navigates the complex transition between electrification, synthetic fuels, and hybrid technologies, Karma’s bold declaration of the world’s most powerful PHEV underscores a refusal to abandon internal combustion entirely, proving instead that hybrid architecture can be pushed to hypercar extremes.
