Lucid Motors reveals Air 986bhp luxury electric saloon ~ station of gear

The first car from California based start-up Lucid costs well into six figures and is slated for production in 2018

2016-12-15 10:07

Luxury electric car start-up Lucid Motors has revealed its very first car – the Lucid Motors Air – unveiling a luxury executive saloon to rival range-topping versions of the Tesla Model S.

The headline figures make for interesting reading. The Air is powered by two electric motors – one on each axle – and combined they produce 986bhp. No top speed has been posted but the Air will accelerate from 0-62mph in a Tesla Model S P100D rivalling 2.5 seconds.

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Fitted with either a 100kWh or 130kWh battery pack, the Lucid Air is claimed to have an all-electric range of over 400 miles. Lucid says it has been able to develop a battery of this size thanks to new battery cell technology developed in tandem with Samsung.

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Autonomous technology is another of the Air’s trump cards. Like Tesla’s recent Advanced Autopilot introduction, the Air will ship with all of the necessary hardware for complete autonomy, which will be gradually patched in through a series of software updates.

The released renderings showcase the eye-catching design Lucid is chasing for its car. The front end, with its sleek, thin, horizontal lighting arrangement using micro lenses has hints of muscle car about it. The high shoulderline and thin daylight opening make the car appear low, while the roof is a huge glass panoramic setup.

The Air’s footprint is smaller than conventionally powered rivals like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series, but the clever packaging opportunities afforded by its electric drivetrain mean it boasts interior space on par with larger cars. It seats four people – an armrest and a centre console separate the rear pew – but those in the back are treated to reclining seats and displays which fold down into tables.

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Up front, the cockpit is dominated by display screens. A large digital instrument panel sags behind the steering wheel, and is joined by a portrait-orientated pad in the centre console.

Despite the pictures, Lucid says this car won’t be ready for production for another two years at least. The company hopes to put the Air into production in late 2018, with first deliveries commencing shortly afterwards.

Deposits are being taken now, and the first 250 cars will cost around $160,000 fully equipped. The company promises a less expensive version will hit the market not too long after.

Is the Lucid Air a load of hot air? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

James Brodie

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