• 20 Jun, 2024
• Joshua Miller
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Revamped Lucid Air Shows This Luxury EV’s Bandwidth

The revamped Lucid Air shows this luxury EV’s bandwidth, standing out as a versatile and powerful electric vehicle. Launched in 2020 after years in financial limbo, the Lucid Air has evolved significantly, becoming Lucid’s flagship product while the company prepares to introduce an SUV called the Gravity and a line of smaller, mainstream models. Nearly four years post-launch, the Air remains Lucid’s sole product, offering multiple configurations that cater to various niches.

Pure Enjoyment

The base model, the Lucid Air Pure, offers a fast and luxurious EV experience with an impressive road-trip-worthy range. Starting at $71,400, the Pure’s rear-wheel-drive version provides 419 miles of range from its 88-kilowatt-hour battery pack. Despite being the least powerful model, it delivers 430 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 124 mph.

Driving the Pure is a joy, with its rear-wheel-drive system making the steering responsive and lively, particularly on twisty roads. It retains high levels of comfort and tech, featuring a 34.0-inch display and wireless Apple CarPlay, though it lacks Android Auto connectivity. Synthetic upholstery is a sustainable choice, not a cost-cutting measure.

More Power, Less Urgency

The Air Touring, now the least expensive all-wheel-drive model with the discontinuation of the dual-motor Pure, starts at $79,400. It boosts power to 620 hp and 885 lb-ft of torque, reaching zero to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 140 mph. Despite a larger 92-kWh battery pack, its range drops slightly to 411 miles.

The Touring emphasizes smoothness and comfort over sportiness, excelling on highways and twisty roads alike. However, the upgrade over the Pure is mainly in power and all-wheel-drive capability, with similar interior features and driver-assist technologies.

Reputation Maker

The Lucid Air Grand Touring, priced at $111,400, boasts the longest range of any EV on the market, with 516 miles from a 112-kWh battery pack. It can recharge 200 miles in just 12 minutes at a powerful DC fast-charging station. For 2024, Lucid reduced its power to 819 hp and 885 lb-ft of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds and a top speed of 168 mph.

Despite its high power, the Grand Touring is user-friendly and emphasizes comfort and efficiency, making it a compelling option for those concerned about range anxiety. Its interior maintains the same high standard as other models, showcasing Lucid’s commitment to quality.

A Gem of a Performance Car

The Lucid Air Sapphire, priced at $250,500, is a high-performance variant with a tri-motor powertrain generating 1,234 hp and 1,430 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 1.8 seconds and complete a quarter-mile in 8.9 seconds, with a top speed of 205 mph and a 427-mile range.

The Sapphire isn’t just about raw power; it offers a refined driving experience with precise steering and suspension tuning. It balances performance with comfort, providing a thrilling yet controlled ride.

Force Multiplier

The Lucid Air lineup, with its impressive range and charging speeds, demonstrates the platform’s versatility. It offers more distinct options than the BMW i7 or Mercedes-Benz EQS lineups and more choices than Tesla’s streamlined Model S lineup. The various Air models effectively fill multiple niches with a single vehicle.

However, some challenges remain. The Air’s styling and touchscreen-heavy interface may not appeal to everyone, and the Air Touring seems to mainly fill a price gap. Despite these issues, the Air, starting at a luxury price point, is poised to hold its own against rivals until Lucid expands its model range.

By continually refining the Lucid Air, the company showcases its ability to compete in the luxury EV market, making the Air a formidable contender in the EV landscape.

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