Lucid launches new EV performance brand with a three-motor $249,000 sedan

The publicly traded EV manufacturer has launched a new brand that pushes the bounds of performance and price.

The company gave away its first EV, the Lucid Air sedan, as part of the public debut.

There's more than just a new paint color, interior theme, 18-way power sport seats, and an on-screen display in the new Lucid Air Sapphire that is priced at $249,000.

The image is from the Lucid group.

A new twin motor rear-drive unit and a single motor front-drive unit boost all-around performance, and is the biggest improvement. New heat exchanger technology is included in the rear-drive unit. The company said it has improved the battery system for more power.

A vehicle can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than two seconds, from zero to 100 mph in less than four seconds, and the standing quarter mile in under 9 seconds.

There are instrumented demonstrations of the performance capabilities of the vehicle that will be announced later. The company confirmed that there is more than 1,200hp in the engine. The range of this performance EV was not shared by the company. The Air variant has a range between 406 and 520 miles.

The rear drive unit is shown in a view of the skateboard. The image is from the Lucid group.

A more dynamic experience can be had with the powertrain. The twin rear-drive unit can pivot the rear of the vehicle to give more power to the rear wheels.

This will translate to better balance for drivers as they enter and exit turns.

The company says that there are new items that distinguish the Air variant from other Air variant, including a stiffer front and rear springs, unique settings, stiffer bushings, and specific tuning forABS, traction, damper control and electronic power steering.

The Sapphire Air comes standard with carbon ceramic brakes and Aero Sapphire wheels with specially developedMichelin PS4S tires. The aerodynamic efficiency of the car is boosted by the addition of the carbon-fiber aero disk wheel covers.

The image shows the air. The image is from the Lucid group.

This is not the time when executives from Lucid talk about introducing cheaper models. The brand is gaining market share from the luxury brand.

The company plans to make a limited number of cars. Next year, deliveries are planned for the U.S. Reservations will be taken at 9 a.m. August 23th

This new performance brand comes just a few months after Lucid announced it would start producing a high-performance companion to its long-awaited Lucid Air luxury sedan: a 1,050-hp grand tourer with a 446-mile range.