Lucid breathes fresh Air into premium EV class

Think of an electric car built on the West Coast of the US and you’ll probably come up with Tesla. Soon though, the name Lucid will also spring to mind as this luxury EV contender rolls out its range across more countries. 

The comparison with Tesla goes beyond location: many of the key people behind this new EV maker were involved in building the original Tesla Model S. The difference here is Lucid has the likes of Mercedes and Bentley in its sights with the Air saloon, and the Gravity SUV that is currently being launched. 

Already on sale in the US, the Air has quickly gained a reputation for its comfort, brilliant handling, refinement, and genuine long-distance driving range. Even the entry-point Pure AWD version has a range of 410 miles and can be topped up with 200 miles worth of electricity in 15 minutes. Pick the Grand Touring model and it can cover up to 516 miles and takes even less time to recharge. 

Powering the Air are twin motors with a combined power of 480hp in the Pure, rising all the way way to a sensational 1234hp in the Sapphire. No wonder every Lucid comes fitted with the latest Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S performance tyres in sizes from 19 to 21 inches to deal with a car that can accelerate from 0-62mph in as little as 1.89 seconds. 

That sort of performance is also why Lucid has struck a deal to supply its electric drivetrain to Aston Martin, which is part of a £2 billion investment in EV technology by the British sports car maker. 

Other British brands like Bentley, Rolls-Royce, and Lotus with its new Emeya will have to look out when Lucid comes to the UK. Pricing in the US suggests the Air could cost from around £75,000 in the UK, going right up to £250,000 for the 205mph Sapphire model. 

It’s not just the Air’s performance or pricing they need to watch out for. Inside the Lucid’s aerodynamically honed body is a cabin that speaks fluently of top-notch luxury. 

The driver has a broad 32-inch ‘Glass Cockpit’ dash display with another infotainment screen in the centre console for other controls, though Lucid happily sticks with real buttons for the heating and ventilation. 

Bags of space in the front and back means the Air feels like a limousine, and you can order different finishes for the fore and aft sections of the cabin to add a more premium limo-like ambience. 

The way the Air combines this level of comfort with easy to use tech and stunning performance means we’re going to be hearing a lot more about Lucid very soon. What do you think? Will Lucid have Tesla quaking in their boots? 

Hero image credit:  Lucid