In the wake of a recent disappointing financial report, Lucid Motors has pulled back the curtains to reveal the official specifications for their latest addition to the luxury electric vehicle lineup – the Lucid Air Sapphire.
The Lucid Air Sapphire had been initially showcased at the Monterey Car Week last year, tantalizing enthusiasts with its promise of a tri-motor variant. This innovative configuration featured two electric motors delivering power to each rear wheel, while a third motor empowered the front wheels. The automaker had made bold claims that this setup would translate into over 1,200 horsepower, enabling the Sapphire to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 2 seconds and reach 100 mph in under 4 seconds.
The suspense came to an end on Wednesday, as Lucid Motors substantiated those bold promises with real numbers. The Lucid Air Sapphire boasts a substantial 1,234 horsepower and a whopping 1,430 lb-ft of torque. With this robust power, the luxury electric sedan can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in an astonishing 1.89 seconds, making it a contender for the quickest acceleration on the market. Impressively, it completes a quarter-mile run in just 8.95 seconds, reaching a speed of 158 mph (254 km/h). This remarkable performance nears the Sapphire’s stated top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h).
However, this exhilarating performance does not come at the expense of range. The Lucid Air Sapphire showcases a range of 427 miles (687 km) on a single full charge, ensuring that its exceptional power does not compromise its practicality.
Drawing a natural comparison, the Tesla Model S Plaid emerges as a key competitor for the Lucid Air Sapphire. The specifications of the two vehicles align quite closely. The Model S Plaid packs 1,020 horsepower, accomplishing the 0-60 mph sprint in 1.99 seconds and covering a quarter-mile in 9.23 seconds (though owners have reportedly achieved even quicker times). The Tesla’s top speed stands at 200 mph, while its driving range reaches 396 miles (637 km) on a full charge.
The divergence between the two becomes more pronounced in terms of price. The Lucid Air Sapphire starts at a substantial price tag of US$249,000, contrasting starkly with the Model S Plaid’s starting price of less than half that figure at US$108,490.
Following a tantalizing preview of the Sapphire through release candidate models last month, Lucid Motors has officially announced that production is slated to commence in September, with deliveries expected to follow in short order.
Among the standout features revealed by Lucid for the Sapphire are:
- Retuned suspension components for enhanced driving dynamics
- Unique adaptive damper control software and tuning for various systems
- In-house developed torque vectoring and traction control algorithms
- Revised suspension geometry to elevate steering response
- Carbon ceramic brakes with substantial dimensions
- Exclusive Aero Sapphire wheels co-engineered with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires
- Weight-saving aluminum roof to lower the vehicle’s center of gravity
- Upgraded seating with heating, ventilation, and massage functions
- Convenient soft-close doors and power-operated trunk and frunk
- Ultra-fast 900V+ charging system for rapid charging capabilities
- Innovative on-screen display presenting various drive modes
- Lucid’s advanced driver assistance system, DreamDrive Pro
- A premium 21-speaker Surreal Sound Pro audio system
With an elegant and intuitive 34-inch floating Glass Cockpit, Lucid Motors is poised to introduce a blend of high-performance and luxurious comfort with the Lucid Air Sapphire. Furthermore, its over-the-air software update capabilities and advanced driver assistance system set a promising stage for the future of electric vehicles.
As the automotive industry continues its march towards electrification, the Lucid Air Sapphire emerges as a noteworthy contender in the luxury electric sedan segment, offering both exhilarating performance and upscale features that cater to discerning drivers seeking the best of both worlds.
