Lucid Air Grand Touring: Electric Luxury from Arizona

Lucid tries a difficult balancing act with his electric luxury sedan. The base rear-wheel drive model costs less than $ 80,000 in the US; the top version, on the other hand, is already scratching the $ 180,000 mark. It remains to be seen whether customers can take part, because initially there is only one body variant with four equipment variants. Ever since Lucid unveiled its almost five-meter-long Air, the remarkable design has been celebrated. Responsible for this: Derek Jenkins and he is taking us on a test drive this afternoon. “With a start-up like us, you’re always a bit more than just a designer,” laughs Derek, turning from the hotel parking lot, “of course you’re particularly closely involved in development.”

The Lucid Air is one of the pre-production models in the mid-range Grand Touring equipment. This is how many customers are likely to configure their electric Air: very good, but not fully equipped and with all-wheel drive already around 800 hp. This is not the end, because the top version called Dream Edition has a gigantic 1,080 hp, which is brought to the ground via the two axles. The entry-level version starts at just under $ 80,000 and also has 480 hp. Above that is the Air Touring with 620 hp. But Lucid, based in northern California not far from Tesla production in Fremont, is not just about power. “The range is essential for us,” explains Derek Jenkins, “we paid attention to this in the design and so the Lucid Air ultimately has a drag coefficient of 0.21.” Range does not just mean wind noise, which is particularly low both in the passenger seat and in the opulent rear. As big as a Mercedes E-Class on the outside – but on the same level as the S-Class on the inside. That’s the way to live.

In contrast to the Mercedes EQS, the side and rear windows can also be shaded at the push of a button. With temperatures above 30 degrees in the Monterey region today, not uncomfortable. It is even more annoying that the panoramic roof, which is subject to a surcharge and which, depending on the model variant, extends well over the heads of the front occupants, cannot be electrically covered. There is ample space, especially in the rear, thanks to the 2.97 meter long wheelbase. The air-conditioned leather seats are comfortable and also have long-distance comfort in the second row. As generous as the legroom is, the head is tighter. If you want, you can have your favorite music whispered around your ears from 21 speakers. The trunk has a manageable 456 liters; good that the front cargo space swallows another 202 liters on two levels.

Derek explains the most important controls while driving: “We don’t need a head-up here – everything is perfectly in view. But the space is reserved for other models such as an SUV.” The instruments, 34 inches in size and slightly curved around the driver, are somewhat reminiscent of the Porsche Taycan, but are tidier and especially the control island for light and visibility on the left in the board solves many things perfectly. Most of the functions can be operated via a large touchscreen in the center console, which, if desired, can be inserted into the dashboard and free up large storage spaces underneath – a stylish and practical solution. The rest of the functions are carried out by voice or by using a rotary knob on the reduced steering wheel. Derek has found a piece of clear road and accelerates the around 800 hp Lucid Air Grand Touring violently. The speedometer display makes your mouth dry – luckily no officer in sight. Lucid does without air suspension in its Air and wants to cushion the comfort demands of its customers with electronic dampers alone. With the undulating piste and the sometimes broken roads here on the Pacific, this works quite well despite the impressive 20-inch model. The small models are 19 inches, the top model of the Dream Edition is 21 inches. When accelerating you can hardly move in the comfortable leather armchairs, the electric American kicks so hard. It’s hard to believe that the 1,080 PS variant should accelerate even wilder. Here, the sprint from 0 to 100 km / h should be completed in under three seconds. Not that anyone would be interested in this in reality, but it reads imposingly and with the sprint potential, almost all electric vehicles want to express their sportiness to the outside world.

While the German manufacturers in particular slow down their electric vehicles too early, things look different with the Lucid Air. A top speed of 168 mph / 270 km / h is currently also being discussed for Europe. In contrast, the maximum range should be around 750 kilometers before the Lucid Air Grand Touring has to go back to the charging station and even the basic variants should cover more than 600 kilometers with one charge. With its 900-volt architecture, it should take just 20 minutes before more than 450 kilometers can be recharged into the 113 kWh battery pack. A so-called miracle box ensures that the Air, which weighs over 2.3 tons, can refuel as quickly as possible at all charging points, ensuring maximum speed – in both directions if desired. If you reserve a Lucid Air this year, you can charge it for free throughout the USA for three years. That should also attract a few customers who want to leave the combustion world.

The gigantic motor outputs enable electric motors that are significantly smaller than those of many competitors and are not only developed by Lucid, but also manufactured in-house – currently in the only production facility, around an hour south of Phoenix / Arizona. With a weight of barely more than 70 kilograms, the electric motor generates up to 670 hp – per axle. Now all that remains to be done is to successfully launch the market in the USA and then to Europe. “We’re looking forward to it,” smiles Derek and drives back to his hotel.