Are you contemplating a Lucid Air, however frightened you won’t outrun a Model S Plaid in a drag race? That won’t be an issue in case you have a large-enough checking account. Lucid has launched a Sapphire badge dedicated to “ultra-high-performance” EVs. The first mannequin within the line, the Lucid Air Sapphire, guarantees to outperform Tesla’s Plaid vehicles in no less than some circumstances — and never simply in a straight line.
The Air Sapphire facilities round a tri-motor system (one entrance, two rear) producing over 1,200HP, topping even the no-longer-available Dream Edition. In tandem with higher cooling, the brand new powerplant reportedly delivers a 0-60MPH dash in underneath two seconds, 0-100MPH in lower than 4 seconds and a quarter-mile time under 9 seconds. You can count on a high velocity above 200MPH. While that is not assured to demolish a personalized Model S Plaid, that is additionally a factory-stock automotive that does not want a preconditioning interval (like Tesla’s Drag Strip Mode) to achieve its full potential.
And sure, Lucid believes the Air Sapphire can deal with turns and twists. You can count on a barely wider physique to accommodate new Aero Sapphire wheels with particular Michelin tires. The motors’ torque vectoring, in the meantime, guarantees each higher turn-in whereas upgrading stability in straightaways. You may count on a stiffer suspension, stiffer bushings and customized tuning for every thing from the antilock brake system by to energy steering. Range and different particulars are forthcoming.
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Most of the inside adjustments revolve round software program. While there’s a new visible theme and “extremely bolstered” seating, the centerpiece is an up to date interface with extra performance-oriented options that embrace a devoted Sapphire Mode.
None of those optimizations come low cost, nonetheless. Lucid will ask $249,000 for the limited-run Air Sapphire, with pre-orders within the US and Canada beginning August twenty third at 9AM Eastern. That makes the $179,000 Grand Touring trim look like a relative discount, and even Porsche’s $187,400 Taycan Turbo S is extra reasonably priced. In this class, although, bragging rights usually assist justify any premiums.
This may also characterize an essential technique change for Lucid. The fledgling EV maker has needed to drastically minimize its manufacturing targets in mild of provide chain issues, and now expects to make not more than 7,000 vehicles in 2022 as an alternative of the initially deliberate 20,000. Sapphire will arrive too late to assist this yr, however it may offset future monetary hassle by growing Lucid’s revenue from the vehicles it ships.
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