Lucid Unveils the ‘Air’ sedan, and it’s More Than Just a Tesla Challenger
While the $169K base MSRP targets the more well-heeled clientele, the materials and technology on hand are very impressive.
When Lucid first teased the Air sedan, we were understandably a bit skeptical with some of the claims that the company was projecting. With the Tesla Model S being the established benchmark in the EV segment, the Air certainly had a very big hurdle to overcome. But at last, we finally have seen the sedan in near production form, and if everything goes according to plan, the Air could be a game changer in the electric vehicle market.
Before we get into some of the finer things that lurk beneath the Air’s sheet metal, we might as well shine a spotlight on the Air’s exterior styling. Like other EV rivals, Lucid opted for a clean slate, with the front fascia being smooth and simply contoured. A prominent chrome bar with the Lucid nameplate is mounted above the sleek headlights, and it certainly gives the Air a very fresh and serious demeanor. That’s a sharp contrast to the Tesla Model S, which has always favored a more aggressive face, and prefers to le
The side profile is also very simple and elegant, with the subtle lines leading you to the rear of the car. Here, a single rear light bar blends nicely into the trunk lid, and the piece itself even features a nicely sized rear lip spoiler. When combined with the big wheels, the Air does a good job of generating attention, and it will need to do just that if it hopes to stand out in a segment that is rapidly growing with formidable contenders.
A key piece of the Air’s broader strategy to succeed lies in the clever packaging solutions that exist in the futuristic sci-fi inspired cabin. Lucid engineers managed to find clever ways of reducing the intrusion of items such as the crash structure, drive units, and other components to create a space that is very large, open and inviting. Lucid likes to call it their “Space Concept” and the modular batteries under the rear bench seat are a key player in this regard. The packs themselves are made out of multiple units, and Lucid can alter the number of the packs on board to change things such as range and performance. As a bonus, the unused space can be replaced with an extra floor panel which helps enhance rear legroom for passengers.
Luxury is also a key cornerstone of the Air, and this is especially evident in the range topping Dream model. While the $169,000 base MSRP will ensure that it remains a dream for all but the most well heeled clientele, the materials and technology on hand are still very impressive, the gauge cluster for example, is housed in a 34-inch “Glass Cockpit” display with the dashboard design itself having a flowing minimalist theme.
There are few hard buttons to be found in the cabin, but a large retractable touchscreen in the center console manages things such as the climate control and other essential functions. A flat bottomed steering wheel is also included with satellite controls mounted on each side of the center cover. Amazon Alexa is also equipped to the Air, and the voice control function allows owners to not only control in vehicle features like the navigation and climate control system, but also smart home features through other Alexa equipped devices.
Performance for the Air will depend on what model buyers choose, but while the company chose to keep details surrounding the base model close to the vest, Lucid did reveal information for the other three models in the lineup (Touring, Grand Touring and Dream Edition.) The Touring is the least powerful model known (for now) but 620 horsepower is nothing to sneeze at, and it serves as the proverbial teaser for the wilder amounts of muscle that lurk in the higher trims. Grand Touring versions wield 800 horsepower and a top speed of 168 mph.
But the spotlight ultimately shines on the Dream Edition, which will be the first Air model to hit the marketplace. That model makes 1,080 horsepower, and that allows the Dream Edition to zip its way to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. In addition to the insane levels of performance, the Dream Edition rewrites the bar on luxury, with Bridge of Weir leather accents, and silver hued eucalyptus wood to mesh with its impressive levels of technology.
The range numbers are ultimately what matters on a vehicle like this, and Lucid is obviously sending a very strong message to Tesla in this regard. The three models that Lucid chose to detail in its release top out at 400 miles of range per charge, but the Grand Touring model pushes that figure to 517 miles when equipped with the optional AeroRange package which adds aerodynamically honed rims and tires to the model. That’s already higher than the Tesla Model S’s 348 mile figure, and is noticeably higher than the Chevrolet Bolt and the Hyundai Koan EV.
Lucid plans to finish construction of its Casa Grande, Arizona assembly plant by the end of the year, with the first production Airs rolling off the assembly line sometime in 2021. The Dream Edition will arrive first in spring, with the Grand Touring variant following suit in the summer of 2021. The Touring model will bring up the rear when it arrives later in 2021, with the base model making its appearance sometime in 2022. When it comes to showrooms, Lucid will focus on major metropolitan markets first, with the first buildings being created in areas like New York, Los Angeles, San Jose, and Miami.
Photos: Lucid