The Lucid Air is the latest product from Lucid Motors, an EV startup that promises new levels of luxury, more than 1,000 hp, and the fastest EV charging ever offered thanks to what it calls "race proven" battery packs and a 900v electrical architecture.
The Air starts on the Lucid Electric Advanced Platform architecture, the bones for the company's upcoming vehicles. Using new EV-specific packaging approaches, the company says that it offers more space in a smaller footprint, improving room in the vehicle for everything from people to the largest frunk (front trunk) around.
Lucid says the Air will offer up to 1,080 hp in dual-motor AWD form, giving it quarter-mile times under nine seconds. More importantly, Lucid says it can deliver those quick runs "on a consistent, repeatable basis," often a challenge for EVs.
Extended range versions of the sedan will offer up to an estimated 837 km thanks to a 113 kWh battery pack. Lucid Motors says it has 10 years and more than 32 million kilometres of real-world testing involved in the development of the battery. Lucid also says it'll be the fastest charging EV anywhere, offering up to 32 km per minute on a DC fast charger that can support those speeds. That means 500 km of range in a 20-minute charge.
Inside, the Lucid Air starts with a 34-inch 5K glass cockpit that looks to float above the dash, lending an airy feel. A retractable centre panel is between driver and passenger to control vehicle functions, and there are some analog controls for the volume and climate.
Driver aids on the Air are set to include 32 sensors with vision, radar, and Lidar, allowing Level 2 and Level 3 driver assistance when such driver aids are permitted. Infotainment comes from a collaboration with Amazon to bring Alexa built into the vehicle. That allows Alexa control of more functions, including the climate control.
The Air is set to arrive next year, and Canadian reservations are being taken. The Air will start from "below" $80,000 USD, rising to $169,000 for the introductory Dream Edition trim. The Dream and slightly less expensive Grand Touring editions will arrive first, with the base Air in 2022 (with a range and acceleration TBA). There's no word yet on Canadian pricing, though if Lucid follows the Tesla model and bases it on the U.S. price plus current exchange (most other automakers adjust prices to market using more than just that factor), it should run from CAD $105k-$222k. Next up for the company is an electric SUV that the company teased along with the Air.
