This is a Drako GTE and it comes from a fairly new Californian automotive startup. It’s a fully electric four-door four-seater, which they choose to term as a ‘GT’, and clearly goes after the same market dominated by the Tesla Model S.
If the car itself looks familiar, it’s because it is based on the Karma Revero, previously known as the Fisker Karma. The now-Chinese owned company supplies the running gear and vehicle platform to Drako, from which point a fully electric powertrain is fitted.
Honestly, the design itself looks considerably more resolved than the Revero, and armed with four electric motors (one for each wheel) with energy stored in a 90kWh floor-mounted array of lithium ion batteries, the GTE is much quicker and far more power.
Drako Motors claim a system output of 895kW with torque sitting at a stratospheric 8,800Nm. Its top speed of 332km/h is more impressive given it’s a common sticking point with EVs that favour neck tearing acceleration.
Back to its torque figure for a minute, the way Drako themselves arrive at that number is interesting as it reflects the car’s combined wheel torque. This is different from the measure most automaker use which denotes the engine’s peak torque at the flywheel, before it is impacted by the resistance of the driveline, and differential or the potential torque multiplication effects of the transmission.
It’s also the performance-tuned suspension that cements the GTE as an EV with proper sporting intent instead of a jack of all trades. Despite being able to sit four, we expect the Ohlins spring and damper package and optional 21-inch wheels paired to Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres wouldn’t provide the most cloud-like of rides.
Inside, the GTE would likely retain many of the creature comforts and high quality materials that adorned the Revero. However, we can observe that the comfier leather seats have been replaced by thinner buckets, and there’s surely plenty of Alcantara to spare.
This is Drako’s first car, so naturally there are delays and niggles to be expected. Indeed, the company is only looking to build just 25 examples in total before taking their learnings to a new project.
It will be making an appearance at Pebble Bach as part of the ongoing Monterey Car Week, which will surely expose it to prospective customers. For the privilege of ownership, Drako is charging $1.25 million US Dollars for each GTE.
