With the launch of Lucid Air Sapphire, Lucid Motors is determined to set new standards with the longest-range, fastest-charging electric car on the market. The company is adamant that the new model is the world’s first fully electric luxury super-sports sedan.
A gemstone for Lucid Motors
“Last year, Lucid rocked the world with the launch of Lucid Air, a fusion of unsurpassed range, efficiency, superior driving dynamics, and interior space, uniquely enabled by our in-house technology. Today, with the introduction of the Sapphire line, we take the next logical step of advancement.
Lucid Air Sapphire, being the very first Lucid product to bear the Sapphire name, builds upon our technical prowess to take electric high-performance on to next level. Sapphire represents the pinnacle of electric performance; finally achieving the performance that I’ve so long searched for.
After painstaking development work, I am able to confirm Lucid Air Sapphire has achieved a satisfactory performance, and I trust the most discerning drivers will agree.” said Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO, Lucid Group.
“Sapphire is the embodiment of what ultra-high-performance luxury means to Lucid. Sapphire is among the most valued gemstones, prized for their brilliance, color, and hardness. Imperial Blue has long been the de facto national color for American motorsports teams engaged in international competitions.
As Lucid’s dedicated ultra-high-performance brand, Sapphire references this history while setting new standards for innovation and technology.” added Derek Jenkins, SVP of Brand and Design, Lucid Group.
All about electric performance and astonishing numbers
The three-motor powertrain that powers the Lucid Air Sapphire is the company’s first and includes a brand-new twin motor rear-drive unit and a single motor front-drive unit.
“With three state-of-the-art electric motors – all developed and manufactured in-house by Lucid – Lucid Air Sapphire reaches an entirely new level of performance. And because a three-motor Lucid Air was always part of the development program, it retains all the strengths of Lucid Air variants already on the market – including limo-like rear legroom, a voluminous trunk and frunk, and impressive efficiency.” said Eric Bach, SVP of Product and Chief Engineer, Lucid Group.
These technologically advanced electric motors use wave winding and Lucid’s microjet stator cooling. The dual rear-drive unit also has improved coolant flow rate and updated heat exchanger technology. Additionally, the battery system has been improved for greater power and more accurate thermal logic.
The three-motor powertrain of the Lucid Air Sapphire, which produces even more horsepower than the vehicle’s dual-motor siblings, including the 1,050-hp Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance, is to be anticipated. The Lucid Air Sapphire is the most potent sedan in the world, not just the most potent electric sedan. It has over 1,200 horsepower.
The Lucid Air Sapphire can accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph in under two seconds, from zero to 100 mph in under four seconds, and the standing quarter mile in under nine seconds thanks to this enormous power and the improved delivery provided by the twin rear-drive unit.
These numbers can be reached without spending additional money on equipment improvements or taking a long time preconditioning. Massive carbon ceramic disc brakes are also included as standard, giving the Air Sapphire the stopping power to match its extraordinary performance.
The vehicle’s remarkable performance potential will be shown later in detail, along with the final horsepower figures.
Handling and control to keep all that power on the road
“Our aim with this, our first Sapphire model, is to complement the exceptional powertrain with sharper, more responsive driving dynamics and increased body control. At the same time, it was important to retain the exceptional ride quality for which Lucid Air has come to be known.” said David Lickfold, Director of Chassis and Vehicle Dynamics, Lucid Group.
The initial Sapphire model was developed by Lucid’s engineers using the same all-encompassing methodology as earlier Lucid Air variations. In actuality, this meant giving every aspect of performance rigorous attention.
The Lucid Air Sapphire has firmer front and rear springs, special damper settings, stiffer bushings, and special tuning for the electronic power steering, traction control, and ABS systems. Standard carbon ceramic brakes provide remarkable stopping power and help the Lucid Air Sapphire maintain endurance when traveling at high speeds.
With the help of the larger, more aggressive wheels and tires, as well as the three motor powertrain’s torque-vectoring capabilities, this cutting-edge chassis configuration is designed to provide maximum performance.
The vehicle is equipped with ultra-high performance staggered Aero Sapphire wheels wrapped in Michelin PS4S tires with dimensions of 265/35R20 up front and 295/30R21 at the back. These distinctive wheels also include detachable carbon-fiber aero disk wheel covers, which improve the vehicle’s aerodynamic performance.
The dual rear-drive unit not only provides enormous power to the vehicle’s rear but also enables torque vectoring, which increases the car’s capabilities beyond what is possible with a passive all-wheel-drive system.
For instance, the twin rear-drive unit, which is similar to a brake-based setup and a rear-wheel steering system but faster, quieter, and more seamless, can effectively pivot the rear of the vehicle by providing torque to the rear wheels in opposite directions to promote either turn-in or straight-line stability.
Rear-wheel steering systems have far slower reaction times than this technology, which is able to apply regenerative brakes on the inner wheel while driving the outside. This substantially improves vehicle turn-in rotation.
Improvements in turn-in, cornering balance at all speeds, corner exit, high-speed stability, and disturbance rejection are just a few of the many advantages for drivers. The driving experience varies depending on the drive mode and the steering, suspension, engine, and braking settings to provide a variety of personalities.
Lucid Air Sapphire’s stealthy design
For Lucid Air Sapphire, particular focus has been placed on improving the aerodynamic nature of the body. A balance between increased downforce, which improves vehicle stability at higher speeds, and decreased drag, which has an impact on both performance and economy, is the result of this endeavor.
The release of a new Sapphire Blue exterior paint, a brilliant shade that will be unique to Sapphire automobiles, coincides with the launch of Lucid’s Sapphire brand. To commemorate the launch of the brand, all Lucid Air Sapphires will initially be completed only in the fresh Sapphire Blue shade.
The exterior of the Lucid Air Sapphire is given the previously unveiled Stealth Look as standard equipment, giving it a more menacing, athletic appearance.
With a new interior motif dubbed Sapphire Mojave, Lucid Air Sapphire’s cabin extends the intentionally beautiful appearance. This features brand-new, heavily bolstered 18-way power sport seats that are covered in black leather and contrast stitching in sapphire blue. Even though they are built for spirited driving, the seats nonetheless provide opulent luxury, with heating, cooling, and massaging features.
The Lucid bear logomark, one of the brand’s symbols and a nod to the company’s California roots, is embossed on the headrest. Mojave dark wood veneers are used to embellish the dash and doors, while black Alcantara is used to trimming the steering wheel and upper roof structure of the standard Glass Canopy roof.
Additionally, the Lucid Air Sapphire has a distinctive Sapphire-themed on-screen display with optimized drive modes and performance options.
Launch and price
At Monterey Car Week, Lucid Air Sapphire had its public premiere. Deliveries in the US and Canada are anticipated for next year for the model, which will be made in restricted quantities. The Lucid Air Sapphire price is US$249,000. Bookings are being made.
Future communications will provide details on availability for markets outside of North America.
Furthermore, Lucid Air Sapphire is only the beginning of a brand-new performance-oriented division under Lucid. Moving ahead, more Sapphire models will be offered for all Lucid models, continuing to redefine what premium performance can look and feel like.
