Karma Automotive, now owned by the Wangxiang Group, made a bold statement at the Shanghai auto show with its SC1 Vision Concept, a dramatic roadster previewing the evolution in design language for the brand. Its design drew inspiration from Karma’s California home: its climate, its culture, the glamour of Hollywood, the dynamics of surf and hot rod culture, and the state’s heritage of innovation in both the aerospace and automotive sectors all found a place in the styling of the SC1.
Karma Automotive, now owned by the Wangxiang Group, made a bold statement at the Shanghai auto show with its SC1 Vision Concept, a dramatic roadster previewing the evolution in design language for the brand. Its design drew inspiration from Karma’s California home: its climate, its culture, the glamour of Hollywood, the dynamics of surf and hot rod culture, and the state’s heritage of innovation in both the aerospace and automotive sectors all found a place in the styling of the SC1.
The ‘horizon orange’ of the first SC1 evokes the brilliant Californian sunsets, and the long hood and cab-rearward architecture are suggestive of racing aircraft: the team cite the Hughes H-1 of 1935, which set a new speed record and influenced the design of planes for a decade. “The proportions of that plane and its elegant surfacing were translated for the Vision concept car,” recalls Jacques Flynn, concept design manager.
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