The Lucid Air is an all-electric luxurious government sedan created by the California-based Lucid Motors, and in-built a brand new manufacturing unit in Arizona. With a beginning worth of $87,400, the Air is a direct competitor to the Tesla Model S, however that’s simply the bottom mannequin.
You can simply plus up the Lucid Air to about $140,000 with the mid-level trims, and the highest Air Sapphire rings the money register at a cool $249,000, earlier than vacation spot charges. So, what do you get on your cash?
Overview
We spent per week driving the 2023 Lucid Air Grand Touring mannequin. This one is nearly in the midst of the trim and worth stroll, with a nominal MSRP of $139,000, or $140,650 when you add the $1,650 vacation spot cost.
For this you get a particularly comfy and tech-forward government sedan that can pin your head to the seatback while you romp on the accelerator pedal. It’s bought two motors entrance and rear, providing you with all-wheel drive, and a variety of about 516 miles on a full cost.
Let’s minimize to the chase — it’s pleasant, as a automotive must be for that type of cash. Read on for the small print.
Exterior
The Lucid Air can have you wanting on the automotive from all angles for per week, attempting to determine in the event you actually prefer it. Every time, you’ll determine that you simply do prefer it, however you’ll test once more, simply to verify. It’s very lengthy, and easy with no exhausting creases.
Like any good luxurious automotive at present, the door handles go flush towards the physique when the doorways are locked. The Air has a really lengthy cabin, and a brief rear deck, however it’s not a fastback or something so stylish and compelled as a four-door coupe. (We’re you, Audi and Mercedes.) Rather, the Air appears to be like like a futuristic luxurious automotive that you may inform could be very, very quick. The Air has gravitas with out wanting heavy. So sure, I nonetheless prefer it.
Interior
The inside the Air is up-to-the-minute cool, with the compulsory single ultra-wide pane of glass curving throughout the dashboard with the driving force data show and an infotainment display within the middle of the automotive. But there’s extra to it than that.
A bunch of primary capabilities (door locks and cost port, for instance) are on the left facet, and also you get a bunch of various issues taking place on the screens as you drive. Then there’s the large tablet-sized display down on the console that controls all issues concerning the automotive, just like the 21-way therapeutic massage capabilities within the entrance seats, and all of your show decisions.
The solely bodily controls on the sprint are temperature and fan velocity for warmth and cooling, and the audio quantity.
Your contact surfaces are good open-grain wooden, one thing suede-like (I can’t inform if it’s artificial, and actually, who cares?) and leather-based. There’s some coarse-weave fabric that’s all the trend in luxurious manufacturers, and that’s good too. But I wager it’ll be a bitch to maintain clear, just like the white carpet in our take a look at automotive. I don’t learn about different locations, however I dwell within the Pacific Northwest and we observe grime into every part simply within the regular course of life. No one would need white carpet in an Oregon winter.
I additionally wish to point out the windshield, which is a sign characteristic of the Lucid. It stretches from the cowl all the best way again to the B-pillar behind the driving force’s head. It’s one piece of curved glass making the windshield and the roof. There’s a bit central inside ridge carrying the wiring for the digital camera and radar, and the sunglasses are caught on the within of the glass.
It’s superb and sensible and oh my mild God you do NOT wish to take a flying rock hit to that piece of glass, as a result of it’s going to be ruinously costly to exchange. Consult your insurance coverage plan rigorously.
The final thing to say is that the Air is basically an government automotive. There’s beneficiant legroom within the again seats. One minor grievance is that the hip level within the again seats is basically low, so there’s a number of headroom, however you’re sitting low so among the good legroom is a bit wasted.
Powertrain
The Air comes with a wide range of energy ranges. The entry-level Air Pure at $87,400 has one motor within the again and 430 horsepower. That’s good for a 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds and a variety of 406 miles, so not shabby by any definition. You can add 50 horsepower and all-wheel drive for $5,500.
If you select the AWD Touring mannequin for $107,400, you get 620 horsepower and the 0-60 time drops to three.4 seconds, which is about the place the Lamborghini Murcielago used to significantly impress many individuals.
If you select the AWD Grand Touring we examined, it’s $139,000 and offers you 819 hair-raising horsepower. You can hit 60 mph in 3 seconds and go 516 miles between prices. Do warn your passengers earlier than demonstrating the acceleration, although. However, in the event you suppose three-digit horsepower is SO 10 minutes in the past, $179,000 will purchase you the AWD Grand Touring Performance trim with 1,050 horsepower and a 2.6-second time to 60, plus 446 miles of vary.
But wait, there’s extra! The high Air Sapphire runs to $249,000, as we mentioned. This one is simply labeled as “1200+ hp” and can take you to 60 in 1.89 seconds, and has a high velocity over 200 mph. If you’ve bought a quarter-mil and also you don’t need guff from anybody about being faster than you, Lucid’s bought you coated.
Oh, our Editor-in-Chief will need me to notice that the Lucid allows 1-pedal driving, has loads of regen, and the powertrain is tremendous easy.
Safety and Technology
Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have rated the Lucid Air. I can inform you that it has all the standard security options, after which a couple of enjoyable little issues that can make your life safer and simpler.
First, while you go to again up, the highest display reveals the rear digital camera view, when you get a giant birds-eye view on the pill display within the console. That’s very nice, however the characteristic is made a lot better as a result of while you get near one thing, the Air will inform you in inches (or cm, in the event you select Metric items) how shut your bumper is to that object. Most different luxurious vehicles simply beep or scream at you. The Lucid provides you information you need to use. It’s bought computerized parking, too, in the event you’re not assured of your skills.
Then while you’re driving, actuating the flip alerts locations a view of the automotive’s blind spot on the related facet of the driving force data show. A fast look down enables you to see what’s there earlier than altering lanes.
Finally, there’s a characteristic I really like. When you’re sitting at a lightweight and the automotive in entrance of you strikes, the Lucid performs a cheerful little chime to remind you that it’s time to drive and to not change the radio station or choose a brand new therapeutic massage operate. This tickler will achieve Lucid drivers a repute as, properly, lucid drivers.
Driving Impressions
Driving the Lucid Air makes every part appear worthwhile. It’s easy, quick, tight, and every part you need in a luxurious EV. Mercedes-Benz’ EQS really feel sloppy by comparability, and even the BMW i7 feels lower than crisp. The lengthy wheelbase of the Air provides it stability, however the automotive by no means feels heavy, regardless that it weighs greater than 5,200 kilos. Whether in metropolis or freeway driving, the Lucid Air is straightforward to drive properly. Interior noise is probably increased than some luxurious vehicles, however it’s not dangerous.
You’ll not often have to make use of the brakes when you grasp 1-pedal driving, however in the event you do, they’re properly greater than sufficient.
One factor I didn’t take care of within the driving expertise was the assisted steering. It comes on with the adaptive cruise management, however I’m certain if I dug into the menus of the management system I might shut it off. Which is what I’d do if I owned an Air. The assisted steering actually needs to maintain the automotive centered within the lane, however lanes are type of natural and alter width and do odd issues.
We people simply drive via easily, not caring if we’re a bit to at least one facet or one other. But the Lucid stored jinking round just a bit bit, correcting what didn’t must be corrected. Also, people know that if a giant previous Semi is coming the opposite means, utilizing up virtually all of his lane, we’re going to wish to transfer proper and provides it loads of area. Not the auto-steer, although. It will maintain you focused it doesn’t matter what.
But apart from that, the Lucid Air is implausible.
2023 Lucid Air Grand Touring Specifications
Dimension | L: 195.9 inches/W: 76.2 inches/H: 55.4 inches/Wheelbase: 116.5 inches |
Weight | 5,236 kilos |
Powertrain | Dual-motor AWD computerized transmission |
Fuel Economy | 1311 MPGe/516 miles of vary/4.6 miles per kWh |
Performance Specs | 819 horsepower and 885 pound-feet of torque |
Price | Base worth: $87,400; As examined: $140,650 together with $1,650 vacation spot cost |
On-Sale Date | Available now |
Wrap Up
Priced at $140,650 out the door, the Lucid Air Grand Touring is a worthy top-tier luxurious automotive. It’s good in and out, it’s quick, it’s superior, and also you’re going to need one in the event you drive it. I’m certain the bottom trim is lots good at $87,400, and I’m completely sure the costlier trims are even higher. Buy what you may afford, as a result of it is a nice automotive.
However, I can’t wind this up with out noting that Lucid Motors is simply in its second yr of manufacturing vehicles, and each EV producer is going through challenges. Whether its provide chain points or insufficient funding or having to cease manufacturing for issues, even large-scale recollects, there isn’t a brand new EV automaker that’s having a straightforward time of it. So you must consider not solely the automotive, but additionally the seemingly long-term well being of the automaker.
Lucid made 7,180 vehicles and delivered 4,369 of them in 2022, and offered 2,314 extra within the first three months of this yr. The firm has mentioned it’s going to produce about 10,000 autos this yr. That’s a superb signal, even after lackluster monetary efficiency due to inflation in 2022 and a 20% layoff earlier this yr. The firm’s first-quarter outcomes this yr are promising. Personally, I hope Lucid thrives, as a result of a automotive this good deserves to outlive and result in extra and even higher autos sooner or later.
2023 Lucid Air Grand Touring — Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lucid Motors a Chinese firm?
The firm is predicated in California and manufactures vehicles in Arizona. The firm has obtained vital funding from Saudi Arabia.
Will Lucid Motors survive?
According to the corporate’s experiences, Lucid has $4.1 billion in money, sufficient to outlive a minimum of via the primary quarter of 2024.
What is the wait time for a Lucid?
The firm has some fashions obtainable instantly, however the wait might be 3-5 months for particular orders.
Source: www.thedetroitbureau.com