Lucid made some not-so-subtle hints that behind its 1,050-hp. Air Grand Touring Performance and the 1,111-horsepower Dream Edition Performance models, which already rival the Tesla Model S Plaid in performance.
That something bigger has now been officially revealed at Monterey Auto Week as the triple-engined Lucid Air Sapphire. Three-motor Air Sapphire with a capacity of more than 1200 hp. will be the most powerful sedan in the world, according to Lucid, and yes, that extends to gasoline models as well.
The Lucid boasts a 0-60mph time of under two seconds, a 0-100mph time of under four seconds and a top speed of over 200mph – all of which would be enough to reliably beat Model S plaid on the track before thinking about driving. Given for crying out loud Dodge electric muscle car announced earlier this week, other competitors may be waiting at the dragstrip.
Lucid Air Sapphire
Lucid Air Sapphire
Lucid Air Sapphire
In the Sapphire, one motor drives the front wheels, while a new dual-motor drive drives the rear wheels. Because it was part of the development program, all upgrades to the Sapphire didn’t sacrifice rear legroom or trunk/boot.
To complement this, Lucid added heat exchanger technology to the rear drive unit with “increased coolant flow rate” and upgraded the thermal strategy for the battery system.
In addition, the Sapphire features stiffer front and rear springs, stiffer bushings, unique shock settings, and different settings for the steering and other major systems. Carbon ceramic brakes are included, as are wider wheels and tires. The Aero Sapphire wheels include removable wheel covers with aero discs that likely help with air ventilation.
Lucid Air Sapphire
Lucid says its twin motor can turn the rear of the vehicle in the same way as a brake-based setup, but “faster, quieter and smoother.” Additionally, in tight turns, it allows the system to apply regenerative braking to the inside wheel while supplying power to the outside wheel, providing better results than rear-axle steering systems, it said.
On the outside, Sapphire includes blackout Lucid Air Stealth Look as standard, while inside it gets a new interior theme called Sapphire Mojave with black leather, black alcantara and Sapphire Blue contrast stitching. The front seats are heated, cooled and massaged, and the Glass Canopy roof is also finished in black Alcantara. The headrests feature the Lucid bear logo, a nod to the brand’s California origins.
Lucid Air Sapphire
It also has its own unique screen, including special performance settings and motion modes. In one of the photos posted, we can see that Sapphire mode has been added above Swift mode, along with dragstrip, hot lap and endurance modes, as well as a lap timer.
Don’t expect the efficiency of some of the other dual-motor Air models, which go up to 516 miles on a charge. However, for the hosting company emphasis on efficiencydon’t be surprised if this full-performance model still outperforms the long-range versions of some competitors.
Lucid Air Sapphire
Lucid calls Sapphire “just the beginning, representing the launch of an entirely new performance-focused brand at Lucid,” and says Sapphire versions will be offered on all Lucid models moving forward.
The Sapphire will cost $249,000 ex-destination, with deliveries to the US and Canada set to begin next year. Bookings for the new model will begin next Tuesday, August 23.
https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1136886_three-motor-lucid-air-sapphire-ev-most-powerful-sedan-in-the-world
