Lucid debuts its efficiency EV model with the $249,000 Air Sapphire

Contemplating a Lucid Air, however fearful you will not be capable to outrun a Mannequin S Plaid in a drag race? That may not be an issue you probably have a sufficiently big checking account. Lucid has unveiled a Sapphire badge devoted to “ultra-high efficiency” electrical autos. The primary mannequin within the line, the Lucid Air Sapphire, guarantees to outperform Tesla’s Plaid automobiles in at the very least some situations, and never simply in a straight line.

The Air Sapphire encompasses a three-motor system (one entrance, two rear) that produces over 1,200 HP, outperforming even the not out there Dream Version. Together with higher cooling, the brand new engine delivers a 0-60 MPH dash in underneath two seconds, 0-100 MPH in underneath 4 seconds and 1 / 4 mile in underneath 9 seconds. You may anticipate a high pace of over 200 MPH. Whereas it isn’t assured to demolish a customized Mannequin S Plaid, that is additionally a manufacturing unit automobile that does not want a preconditioning interval (like Tesla’s Drag Strip mode) to succeed in its full potential.

And sure, Lucid believes that Air Sapphire can deal with curves and turns. She will anticipate a barely wider physique to accommodate the brand new Aero Sapphire wheels with particular Michelin tires. In the meantime, the engines’ torque vectoring guarantees higher cornering and improves stability down the straights. He, too, can look ahead to stiffer suspension, stiffer bushings, and customized settings for all the pieces from the anti-lock braking system to the facility steering. The vary and different particulars are but to come back.

A lot of the inside adjustments revolve across the software program. Whereas there is a new visible theme and “closely bolstered” seats, the centerpiece is an up to date interface with extra performance-oriented options together with a devoted Sapphire mode.

Nevertheless, none of those optimizations are low-cost. Lucid will ask $249,000 for the limited-edition Air Sapphire, with pre-orders within the US and Canada starting August 23 at 9am ET. That makes the $179,000 Grand Touring trim appear to be a relative discount, and even Porsche’s $187,400 Taycan Turbo S is extra reasonably priced. On this class, nonetheless, bragging rights typically assist justify premiums.

This might additionally characterize a serious technique change for Lucid. The fledgling electrical automobile maker needed to slash its manufacturing targets in mild of provide chain points, and now hopes to make not more than 7,000 automobiles in 2022 as an alternative of the 20,000 initially deliberate. Sapphire might be too late to assist this yr, however might offset future monetary troubles by growing Lucid’s revenue from the automobiles he ships.