Lucid Air

Fresh from learning of its record-breaking run at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed, we got a chance to drive the Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance (GTP) sedan near the EV automaker’s base in Northern California’s Silicon Valley. Positioned just below Lucid’s sold-out 1,111 hp Air Dream Edition, the Air GTP is powered by two electric motors that make a combined 1,050 hp and 921 ft lbs of torque. That output allows the all-electric four-door to sprint from zero to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds and reach the quarter-mile metric in 10.1 seconds.

While those numbers are shy of the Tesla Model S Plaid’s official specs of zero to 60 mph in 1.99 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 9.23 seconds, the Air GTP achieves an EPA-estimated range of 446 miles on a single charge. That’s a mark in the win column over Plaid’s 396-mile range. And this after Tesla announced last month it was pulling the plug on its Plaid+ model, which would have purportedly offered a range of 520 miles. But Lucid offers the latter range now in its 816 hp Air Grand Touring model.

The 816 hp Air Grand Touring and 1,050 hp Air Grand Touring Performance from Lucid. 

Lucid Group, Inc.

On a recent sunny day, we put the GTP’s launch control to the test with the help of racing driver Ben Collins—best known as “the Stig” on the erstwhile BBC series Top Gear. Collins, who first saw the Air on display in New York, was so impressed that he asked Lucid execs if he could help fly the proverbial company flag. Later, at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, Collins was piloting the Air GTP when it became the fastest production car to race up the 1.16-mile hill climb with a time of 50.79 seconds.
“The power off the line was fairly unimaginable, unless you’ve played contact sports and can relate to impact,” Collins later wrote. “Handling-wise the brute proved to be sophisticated and agile.”

Back in California, it was one foot on the brake and one foot on the accelerator, simultaneously, with Collins coaching from the passenger seat. This move activates launch control, which cues a little bear icon (a nod to Lucid’s California roots) on the driver’s display. A quick release of the brake thrusts our GTP forward with face-scrunching, stomach-tickling velocity. Only a few shallow breaths—and one expletive—later, it’s time to hammer on the brakes, where the Air GTP slides to a stop in an impressive distance, considering its 5,250-pound curb weight. The acceleration test is over in a flash, but the feeling of one’s heart being firmly lodged in one’s mouth lingers for the rest of the morning.

Lucid’s all-electric Air Grand Touring Performance sedan on its way to becoming the fastest production car at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed. 

Lucid Group, Inc.

On the road drive that follows, we experience some of the Bay Area’s iconic arteries to the coast. We keep a fast pace around the serpentine stretches, with the Air’s adaptive suspension handling the shifting loads with grace. The car is exceptionally quiet, and even with its larger, 21-inch wheels, there is very little noise from either the road or tires. As with all Lucid Air model versions, the GTP has three drive modes, which adjust steering, braking and suspension response. Each mode also offers two levels of regenerative braking, although “high” is not as aggressive as some other models from competitors, such as the Polestar 2. We’d like to see Lucid add a third level of regen and the ability to switch quickly between them via paddle shifters, which Mercedes-Benz presents on its EQS and EQE models.
For the most part, the Air GTP shares the same design cues as other Air variants, save for the bigger wheels with a unique, chunky five-spoke design. The interior materials are beautiful and elegant, with a focus on natural fibers and woods in palettes that reflect various locales in California. A wide, digital display stretches out in front of the driver, while a dual-screen setup in the central stack includes a smaller screen above and a larger tablet set down near the center console.

Racer Ben Collins sits behind the wheel of the Air Grand Touring Performance. 

James Lipman, courtesy of Lucid Group, Inc.

While some new brands have opted to go all-digital with their controls, the Air offers manual buttons and knobs for certain functions such as climate control and seat adjustments, including air vents that you can actually move by hand. (Do you hear us, Rivian?). For the sake of consistency, we’d also like to see hard controls for mirror and steering-wheel adjustments.
Lucid has done a good job with the user interface, keeping most functions from being buried too far into endless menus, although the position of the lower tablet makes keeping eyes on the road difficult. And at some times of day, the bright trim around the display can give off substantial glare due to the car’s glass roof. The latter, although an impressive feat of design and engineering, can also make the cabin uncomfortably hot, causing the air conditioning to work overtime, which reduces range. The entry model, called Air Pure, is available with a metal roof, but we think this option should be available across the range.

A wide, digital display stretches out in front of the driver, while a dual-screen setup in the central stack includes a smaller screen above and a larger tablet near the center console. 

Lucid Group, Inc.

Beyond their looks and the specs, cars from Lucid are also defined by in-house-developed innovations, from smaller and lighter drive units to more efficient battery packaging and cooling systems. Every Lucid retail space—lounge-like boutiques created with heavy input from Lucid’s design team—prominently displays examples of its motors, batteries, chassis and charging technology, along with those of some top competitors.
At the Lucid headquarters in Newark, Calif., Lucid chief engineer Eric Bach took us around each of these elements, particularly proud of the internal rotor differential integrated into the electric motor. By comparison, the less powerful drive unit on display, one used by two mass market competitors, looks gargantuan and subpar. In fact, Bach jokingly refers to it as the “Tower of No Power.” Smaller components, like those used in the Lucid, he says, not only reduce weight and increase range, but use fewer raw materials, which means less burden on the supply chain, from mining to delivery. When it comes to energy replenishment, Bach says that using the combo connector at DC fast charging stations will enable the Lucid Air to gain 200 miles of charge in 12 minutes and 415 miles in 37 minutes.

The interior presents a focus on natural fibers and woods in palettes that reflect various locales in California. 

James Lipman, courtesy of Lucid Group, Inc.

In addition to the Air’s competitive technology, material quality and packaging, there seems to be little risk of the company’s even-tempered CEO (and former Tesla engineer) Peter Rawlinson flitting from one business interest to the next, or imploding markets with impetuous tweets. This, in theory, makes Lucid an attractive bet for consumers and investors alike.
Yet the marque isn’t immune from growing pains, as supply chain issues continue to beleaguer the industry and waiting times for some existing Air orders have increased beyond the two-to-five-month window, according to some customers. Lucid’s Gravity SUV, first teased in 2020 and earlier promised for 2023, has also been pushed back at least another year. If Lucid can step up its production and deliveries, and start turning out body styles beyond its flagship sedan, it could be a force to be reckoned with.

Lucid’s Air Grand Touring Performance makes 921 ft lbs of torque and can cover zero to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds. 

James Lipman, courtesy of Lucid Group, Inc.

In the meantime, Lucid will continue to roll out new variants of the Air, including an exterior design package we previewed that will debut next month during Monterey Car Week. Also look for more appearances from Collins, who will no doubt be looking to set more records in his favorite EV.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed, one of the world’s biggest automotive gatherings—think all of Monterey Car Week in a single place—triumphantly returned to the south of England this past weekend, packed with plenty of supercars and heart-racing spectacles. Set on the vast estate of the Duke of Richmond (who also hosts the retro-themed Goodwood Revival), the centerpiece of the event is a 1.6-mile hill climb, where race cars and production cars compete to set the fastest lap. Here are some of this year’s highlights from the festivities.

Porsche Showcases the 963 LMDh
Porsche has a celebrated history in endurance racing and looks to add to its legacy with its newest race car, the Le Mans Daytona hybrid (LMDh) prototype. Set to compete for Porsche Penske Motorsport in the 2023 race season, the 963 LMDh will run in the FIA World Endurance Championship—including the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans—and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Porsche’s new 963 LMDh race car is set to compete for Porsche Penske Motorsport in 2023. 

Porsche

With a combination of spec and custom elements, the LMDh class creates a single set of specifications across racing series, making it more affordable and more efficient for manufacturers to run. Spec elements include the chassis, battery, electric motor and gearbox, while each team is free to develop its own internal combustion engine and aerodynamics. The Porsche 963 uses a 4.6-liter biturbo V-8 mill based on the power plant from the 918 Spyder. And although Porsche hasn’t yet confirmed performance specs, the LMDh class is restricted to a maximum output of 640 hp. Other manufacturers who plan to compete in LMDh include Acura, BMW and Cadillac.
Lucid Air Sets Fastest Production-Car Lap Record
Pro driver Ben Collins—AKA the Stig from Top Gear—drove the 1,050 hp Lucid Air electric sedan to victory over the weekend with a record time for a production car of 50.79 seconds. The automaker claims that its Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance variant, driven by Collins, was completely stock, even down to the low-rolling-resistance tires. Lucid has come a long way since we first saw a prototype back in 2017, thanks to its level-headed CEO (and former Tesla engineer) Peter Rawlinson pushing to deliver a product with superior range, efficient packaging and quality that matches high-level luxury brands.

Lucid’s 1,111 hp Air Dream Edition. 

Lucid Motors

Design director Derek Jenkins and team have done an admirable job creating a sleek, elegant aesthetic with materials and finishes that are sustainable as well as beautiful. Also on display at Goodwood was the company’s Dream Edition Performance model with 1,111 hp and an (unofficial) estimated range of about 560 miles. We’re eager for Lucid to drop its next model, the seven-seat Gravity SUV, which is slated for next year.

BMW M Division Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary 
BMW celebrated five decades of its M performance division as the featured marque at this year’s Festival of Speed, and brought an extensive field that included both classic cars and its newest models. Making its world debut was the BMW M3 Touring, a 510 hp wagon that, sadly, will not be sold stateside. It will, however, be used by MotoGP as its official safety car, which also premiered at Goodwood. Also on display (sort of) was BMW’s entry into the LMDh racing class, appearing in camouflage high above the ground as part of Goodwood’s dramatic central sculpture, which featured iconic cars from M division’s half-century of existence.

BMW’s M3 Touring MotoGP Safety Car made its world premiere. 

Philipp Blanz, courtesy of BMW.

Earlier this month, BMW released renderings of its LMDh car, which is powered by its own V-8 engine, but we’ve yet to see it close-up in the metal. “We put the car up at the very top of the sculpture so Porsche couldn’t see what we’re doing,” BMW M CEO Franciscus Van Meel quipped. “But I can tell you, the design will include BMW’s famous Hofmeister kink.”

Goodwood’s dramatic central sculpture featured iconic cars from BMW M division’s half-century of existence. 

Laura Burstein

Lamborghini Shows Off Its Aventador Ultimae and Huracán Tecnica
Lamborghini says arrivederci to its flagship Aventador with a final special edition before the brand moves to hybrid power trains in 2023. The 780 hp Ultimae coupe is limited to 350 examples and is powered by Lambo’s much-loved (but soon antiquated) naturally aspirated V-12 engine.

Lamborghini’s 780 hp Aventador Ultimae. 

Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.

As the Raging Bull bid farewell to its past, it also showed off its immediate future with the Huracán Tecnica. The latter is a tech-centric, rear-wheel-drive variant in the Huracán line with 631 hp. This is rumored to be Lamborghini’s last (or second to last, depending on the source) V10-powered Huracán, which is sure to inspire collectors to get them while they can.

Lamborghini’s 631 hp Huracán Tecnica makes a festival appearance. 

Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.

Polestar Presents the New 5 Super Sedan
It was a big week for Polestar, the future-forward Volvo spinoff, with an IPO on the NASDAQ stock exchange that saw a nearly 16 percent jump in its first day of trading. Meanwhile, at Goodwood, Polestar was presenting a prototype version of its 884 hp super sedan wearing grey camouflage and a fat set of tires that screeched up the hill in impressive time.

A prototype of the 884 hp Polestar 5 prepares to make a run up the hill. 

David Shepherd, courtesy of Polestar.

Max Missoni, Polestar’s head of design, tells us that the prototype we saw is not the Polestar 5’s final look, but assures us it will be “very close” to the Polestar Precept, the concept car unveiled in 2020 that set the tone for the brand’s future design language. (The Precept was also named Best Interior Design by Robb Report that year.) Also on display was the head-turning O2 concept, a 2+2 roadster unveiled earlier this year, which rides on the Precept’s platform and comes with a built-in drone that follows and records driving for the ultimate social media reels. The production version of the Polestar 5 is set for 2024.

In positioning itself as the great Tesla disrupter, Lucid Motors made performance claims for its debut-model Air that seemed destined for the vaporware ether. But now that deliveries have begun on the Lucid Air Dream Edition, and after testing some of these claims from behind the wheel, we’re delighted (and somewhat gobsmacked) to report that the Lucid Air is very real indeed.

The first thing that will strike you about the vehicle, assuming you’re unfamiliar with the limited-edition four-door’s spec sheet and its 1,111 hp figure, is the exterior design. Its proportions are imposing yet impressively balanced, a benefit of its clean-sheet architecture being divorced from the ubiquitous front-engine, four-box-sedan setup that’s defined the automotive landscape for almost a century. In Eureka Gold paint that was the equal in depth and finish to the best from camps such as Audi and Mercedes, the vehicle glittered in LA’s cool winter light like a sleek marine mammal. In fact, the Air Dream Edition shares the title of the world’s most slippery production car, equal to the Mercedes-Benz EQS with a mere .20 coefficient of drag.

Lucid fits a potent yet compact electric motor to both axles and powers each with a 118 kwh battery system that represents the brand’s segment-leading technological expertise, gained through building battery packs for the Formula E motorsport series, with roughly triple the power density delivered by Tesla. Hammer the throttle from a standstill and the 5,203-pound machine slingshots to 60 mph in 2.42 seconds on its way to a max speed of 168 mph.

The Air can rush from zero to 60 mph in less than 2.5 seconds. 

Photo: Courtesy of Lucid Motors.

Dial it up from Smooth mode to Swift or Sprint and power shifts toward the rear axle as the Bilstein dampers stiffen to create a sportier drive. The Air responds aptly to steering inputs, but it’s more of a straight-line sprinter than canyon carver—handling is good but not great. Yet cruising is a joy in the large, minimalist cabin, which boasts the capacity of many full-size cars despite its midsize footprint; the vast greenhouse, topped by a glass-canopy roof that arcs down to the windshield, bathes occupants in natural light. Onboard amenities in the fully optioned, $169,000 Air Dream Edition include a crisp 21-speaker sound system and a curved, 34-inch 5K display, while the material choices for the model line—nappa leather or synthetic PurLuxe, alpaca wool, recycled yarns, sustainably sourced eucalyptus and open-pore walnut—offer elegant simplicity in a soothing palette.

Peace of mind is yet another available luxury thanks to the Dream Edition’s 520-mile range, as well as the ability to replenish 300 miles in just 20 minutes using DC fast charging. Considering the Tesla Model S Plaid’s 396-mile range, it’s further proof that Lucid is zooming to the front of the luxury-EV pack.

Power and range aren’t the only areas where Lucid is looking to go toe to toe with Tesla.

The newest EV maker on the block unveiled its driver-assistance platform, DreamDrive, on Tuesday. Set to launch alongside the brand’s first EV, the Air, the system may not be a match for Autopilot just yet, but it boats plenty of intriguing features nonetheless.

At the heart of DreamDrive is a network of up to 32 sensors—including 14 visible-light cameras, five radars and four surround-view cameras—integrated into the body of the Air. These sensors cover nearly every inch of the EV and promise to help you avoid potential collisions and other hazards on the road, even those the naked eye would normally miss. There’s also a multi-faceted driver-monitoring system that includes a driver-trained infrared camera to help ensure you stay focused on the road, with your eyes looking forward and your hands on the wheel, according to the automaker. If your attention wanders, the system will give you a nudge via its in-cabin 21-speaker sound system, and if you’re slow to react it will even begin to slow the car down to a complete stop in case you’re incapacitated. If you are, the car Air’s emergency brake will be triggered once it comes to a stop, hazard lights will engage and doors will unlock to provide emergency personnel with access to the vehicle.

DreamDrive’s 32-sensor network at work 

Three other driver-assistance features complete the system. They include Highway Assist, which combines adaptive cruise control and lane centering to make sure the Air is right where it belongs when you’re on the freeway. There’s also Traffic Assist, which operates between the speeds of 0 and 40 mph, to help you navigate particularly crowded roads without incident. And Auto Park, as it name suggests, will park the Air for you. It can parallel park and will even turn the front wheels in the correct direction when parking on a hill.
Those features all come standard with DreamDrive, but the premium DreamDrive Pro system—which comes standard on the Air Dream Edition and Air Grand Touring but is available as an add-on on other models—is even more robust. It boasts a solid-state LiDAR sensor, a first for a North American vehicle, that expands the scope of its 32-sensor network even further on the road. Unlike Tesla’s Autopilot, the system doesn’t offer any autonomous capabilities yet, but hands-free driving will eventually be available on select roads throughout the country via the Pro’s version of Highway Assist. Additional features will come to the top-tier system in the future via over-the-air updates.

Inside the Lucid Air 

Whether DreamDrive lives up to the brand’s promises is an open question, but it’s another intriguing feature for the Air—in case its 1,080 hp powertrain, record-setting 520-mile EPA-rated range and three years of free charging weren’t enough for you. And you’ll soon get the chance to try the system for yourself. Late last month, Lucid confirmed that its debut EV had gone into production.

After years of anticipation, the Lucid Air is finally hitting the roads.

Lucid Motors has confirmed that production of the all-new luxury EV is now underway at its gleaming new factory in Casa Grande, Arizona. The first lot of customer cars, known as the 2022 Lucid Air Dream Edition, rolled off the assembly line on Tuesday, with deliveries slated to begin in late October.

Limited to 520, this $169,000 four-wheeler is a high-powered riff on Lucid’s flagship electric sedan and boasts an industry-leading range of up to 520 miles, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). That makes it the longest-range, battery-powered vehicle the agency has ever rated. On top of that, Lucid claims the Dream Edition’s quad-motor powertrain can churn out a gutsy 1,111 hp for a top speed of 168 mph.

The factory will begin by building 520 Lucid Air Dream Edition models. 

Lucid Motors

The plant will also produce the $139,000 Lucid Air Grand Touring, which is reportedly good for 800 horses and has a range of up to 516 miles, along with the Touring and Air Pure models. Lucid says it’s received more than 13,000 reservations of the entry-level Lucid Air sedan (priced at $77,400) to date, which will likely roll out after the high-end versions.
The new Arizona factory, which is set across a sprawling 590-acre site, will comprise an Advanced Manufacturing Plant (AMP-1) and a Lucid Powertrain Manufacturing (LPM-1) facility that will allow the marque to build all the necessary components in-house to theoretically speed up production and save on costs.
“Our technology will allow for increasingly lighter, more efficient, and less expensive EVs, and today represents a major step in our journey to expand the accessibility of more sustainable transportation,” Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO of Lucid Group, said in a statement. “I’m delighted that production cars endowed with this level of efficiency are currently driving off our factory line.”
While it’s a major milestone for Lucid, which went public earlier this year, it’s not the only EV start-up to be building a fleet. Just two weeks ago, Rivian started production of its first vehicle, the R1T pickup, at a factory in Normal, Illinois.

Lucid Motors has already managed to deliver on one of its most outlandish promises.

On Thursday, it was revealed that the startup’s first EV, the Air, had received a 520-mile range rating from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Not only is that figure a smidgen better than the brand’s own estimate of 517 miles, it also makes the Air the longest-range battery-powered vehicle the agency has ever rated—by a comfortable margin.

Horsepower may still get top billing when it comes to EV performance, but just as important, if not more so to the average driver, is range. Until the last few years, EV range figures were adequate at best, completely impractical at worst. That’s all changed because of Tesla and its heavy investment in battery technology, which made 200 miles the acceptable minimum and now, increasingly, 300 miles the expected standard. The automaker’s Model S Long Range Plus is currently the longest-range vehicle on the market, with a range of 412 miles.

The Lucid Air all-electric sedan. 

Photo: Courtesy of Lucid Motors.

Of course, Tesla’s long-range sedan will lose its title once the Air goes on sale. According to the EPA’s rigorous testing, the Air Dream Edition has a range of 520 miles when riding on standard 19-inch wheels—which is 108 miles more than the Model S Long Range—and 481 miles when riding on 21-inch wheels. And it’s not just the Dream version of the Air that beat out the current standard bearer. Every other trim level did as well, according to The Verge. The Dream Performance Edition was rated 471 miles on 19-inch wheels and 451 on 21-inch wheels, while the Grand Touring was rated 516 miles on 19-inch wheels and 469 on 21-inch wheels. The Air’s sky-high range figures can be attributed to a couple of factors: its 113-kWh battery pack and, to a lesser extent, a sleek body that was designed to be as aerodynamic as possible.
It should be noted that EV range, just like the mile-per-gallon ratings on gas-powered cars, can vary. Still, 520 miles is impressive any way you look at it, especially when you consider that the Air is a true high-performance vehicle. Lucid says its debut sedan’s quad-motor powertrain generates a stunning 1,111 hp, can accelerate from zero to 60 in 2.5 seconds and cover the quarter mile in 9.9 seconds.  You’ll have to wait until the end of the year at the earliest to get your hands on the car, but it sounds like the brand has done everything it can to make its $140,000 price tag worth it.

The Lucid Air will be late and Covid-19 is to blame.
The EV startup announced on Thursday that deliveries of its eagerly anticipated EV would not start this spring as originally planned, and will instead be delayed until the second half of 2021. The reason: Supply chain disruptions have made it impossible for the company to deliver a product it’s satisfied with yet.

Like the rest of the world, the automotive industry has experienced major disruption because of the coronavirus pandemic, with buzzy vehicles like the Chevrolet C8 Corvette and Ford Mustang Mach-E all experiencing production delays. Lucid has seen Covid-19 affect every aspect of its business, from testing to production to sales,  according to a letter from CEO Peter Rawlinson. The exec says he’s pleased with the release candidates that have rolled off the line at the company’s new Arizona production facility but that further refinements are needed before the Air is truly ready.

The Lucid Air all-electric sedan.  Photo: Courtesy of Lucid Motors.

“As a company we’ve worked diligently to minimize these impacts, and over the past year, Lucid has witnessed seismic progress and growth,” Rawlinson wrote. “Yet despite the excellent progress made in all areas, we now know that we won’t be able to start delivering Lucid Air this spring at the level of quality we insist on providing. Be assured, we won’t rest until we have our first customers behind the wheel of Lucid Air.”
It’s easy to see why Lucid doesn’t want to rush its first vehicle to the market. The Air may be one of the few premium EVs poised to give Tesla reason for concern. At its public debut last fall, the brand claimed that the $169,000 Dream Edition would come with a dual-motor drivetrain capable of producing 1,080 horsepower and rocketing from zero to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds. Maybe even more impressively, when equipped with the extended battery pack the EV can go 517 miles on a single charge, which, notably, is over 100 miles more the current industry leader, the Model S Long Range.
While no specific dates for the Air’s release were offered, Rawlinson said that the startup hopes to begin production as early as possible in the second half of the year. If the company can actually deliver the EV it has promised, we get the feeling it will be worth the wait.