Lucid Motors is currently best known for supplying batteries to Formula E race cars. Now, the upstart company looks to challenge luxury alternatives such as the Model S and Porsche Taycan with its all-new 2022 Air sedan. The first model from startup Lucid Motors boasts an aerodynamic shape that’s functional and fashionable. Its spacious and upscale cabin is covered by a glassy canopy that should help it live up to its atmospheric name. The Air also mixes practicality with technology, sporting capacious storage options, and no shortage of driver assists. The company says that owners should be able to resupply 300 miles of range in 20 minutes at a fast-charging station. And for those in a hurry, the quickest version can travel a quarter-mile in under 10 seconds.
Make no mistake, the Air is intended to be a luxury car, and its handsome interior is fitted with rich-looking materials and cutting-edge technology. Lucid is especially proud of the sedan’s expansive passenger space, which is highlighted by a large back seat. While the standard rear seating is said to be comfortable for up to three adults, there’s also an optional Executive Rear Seating option that brings significant recline functions for ultimate comfort. The Air’s cabin will offer a mostly glass roof that makes it feel even airier and helps outward visibility. The sedan’s front center console looks to provide generous storage space behind the retractable lower touchscreen and inside the large center-console bin, which houses a set of cupholders as well as slots to place a smartphone.
The Air is outfitted with a sophisticated infotainment system that incorporates a large upper touchscreen that flows out of the fully digital gauge cluster and a tablet-like lower touchscreen that handles additional functions and can be retracted into the dashboard. Lucid says the system’s voice-recognition software will respond to natural speech patterns. The interface also has an artificial assistant that learns the user’s preferred music and climate settings. In addition to some physical controls on the steering wheel, there are a set of toggles for temperature and fan speed as well as a roller to adjust the volume of the audio system.
The Air will have a driving range of up to 520 miles according to EPA estimates, which gives it the highest range of any electric vehicle currently on the market. Lucid says the base model has an estimated driving range of 406 miles, which also matches the Touring model. The Dream Edition Range model should go for 520 miles on a single charge while the Dream Edition Performance model should be good for about 471 miles of driving per charge. The Air features a 113-kWh battery pack and DC fast-charging capability. Plugged into the latter, the sedan should be able to recoup 300 miles of range in 20 minutes. The most efficient Air is rated at 131 MPGe combined, and the Performance version is rated at 111 MPGe combined.
The entry-level Air features a single electric motor that drives the rear wheels and produces 480 horsepower. The rest of the lineup uses dual electric motors that provide all-wheel drive and a set of different horsepower ratings. The fastest version of the electrified sedan will also have a top speed of 168 mph. The Air will be supported by an air suspension, too, which the company says helps provide a smooth ride. Its low center of gravity is also expected to help its handling characteristics. The Touring model generates 650 horses, the Grand Touring makes 800, the Dream Edition Range is good for 933, and the top-of-the-line Dream Edition Performance model develops an enormous 1111 ponies. Lucid claims the quickest Air can complete the quarter-mile in 9.9 seconds at 144 mph, which is insanely quick even for high-performance cars.
