Lucid unveils top-of-the-line performance EV that does zero to 60 in under two seconds

Image: Lucid Motors

The top-of-the-line sedan will do zero to 60mph in under two seconds, zero to 100mph in under four seconds, and the quarter mile in under nine seconds.

The new blue car could be the most powerful production sedan on the market, beating out the previous record holder, theTesla Model S Plaid.

Power to pavement

A number of features from the Dream Edition and Grand Touring Performance Edition are included in the new Sapphire Edition. The new version of the Air has three motor, two at the rear and one at the front, which is said to bring the estimated power to 1,200.

At the time of release, Lucid didn't offer up any Torque numbers, but as Eric Bach said during an early briefings for journalists, "Lucid isRedefining what the family sedan can do."

The Dream Performance Edition gives the twin rear-drive unit two 500 kilowatts of inverters and planetary gear reduction units. The rear setup allows for Torque to be applied to each wheel in a different direction so that it gets more stability and control. The large sedan corner can be made more precise with the help of the system.

The twin rear-drive unit has new heat exchanger technology and an increase in the flow of water. The company said that they have upgraded the battery system for higher power and better thermoregulation.

It's important to go big on brakes, suspension setup, and tires when you're big on power. The carbon ceramic brakes were upgraded, the springs were changed, the sway bars were added, and the power steering was upgraded.

The special set of tires made of a compound that offers a combination of low rolling resistance and high grip, similar to a Cup 2 tire, will be included in the sapphires edition. A set of wheel shields that can be attached via the center locks to the wheels will be offered by Lucid.

That color, though

The exclusive-to-Sapphire blue exterior and a new stealth trim look that smokes out the brightwork are just some of the changes made to the Sapphire Edition. The front of the car is 12mm wider than the rear.

The interior space and packaging all fit in the same footprint as the standard Lucid Air. The cars will be built on the same line as the rest of the Airs at the company's factory in Arizona.

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A taste of what the Grand Touring Performance Edition can do as a preview of what’s to come

Ben Collins, also known as The Stig, set a record as the fastest production sedan to do the climb at the Festival of Speed in June of this year.

We got a couple of laps around WeatherTech Raceway with Collins in the same car that did the Hillclimb. The Performance Edition is amazing on a foggy track.

The Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance has a lot of power and Torque, but what makes it stand out is how quiet it is, minus the sound of stock tires. Collins maneuvered the car around the Corkscrew with ease.

We will get to ride in the left seat with Collins in the new version early on Saturday morning because the company says it will be even quicker.

Pricing and delivery?

The Grand Touring Performance starts at $188,000, but the new Sapphire Edition will cost $249,000. Due to the supply shortage caused by the Pandemic, the company is behind on production. As global inflation threatens, the company had to raise prices.

As a result of the new components needed for the vehicle, production will be limited, but not completely. Today is the opening of reservations for the new cars. The deliveries would start in the first half of 2023 and existing reservation holders wouldn't be affected.