Lucid Air Sapphire revealed with 1,200 horsepower and three electric motors
That is the Lucid Air Sapphire, and it takes the Air to an entire new degree of efficiency. Simply revealed at Monterey Automotive Week, the Sapphire includes a three-motor powertrain that Lucid says is able to delivering over 1,200 horsepower.
That nutty quantity of energy might be good for 0-60 mph occasions in lower than 2 seconds, 0-100 mph occasions in lower than 4 seconds and a quarter-mile time of underneath 9 seconds, all in keeping with Lucid. High pace for the Sapphire is claimed to be “over 200 mph.” In contrast to the Tesla Mannequin S Plaid that posts comparable acceleration figures, Lucid says that all the occasions are doable with out “protracted preconditioning routines.”
Just like the Plaid, the Lucid Air Sapphire options two electrical motors driving the rear wheels and one driving the entrance. Lucid’s twin rear drive unit is able to offering a torque vectoring impact by offering torque to the rear wheels in reverse instructions. It’s capable of present regenerative braking to the within wheel whereas powering the surface on the similar time to extend rotation and make for faster turn-in, just like what you’d see on a automotive with rear-wheel steering.
The Sapphire isn’t nearly straight-line pace, although. Lucid put in stiffer entrance and rear springs, stiffer bushings and is operating extra aggressive damper settings. It additionally will get distinctive tuning for the electrical energy steering, stability management, traction management and ABS. Talking of the brakes, carbon ceramic brakes come customary to make sure sturdiness throughout high-performance driving. Bigger wheels and tires are fitted — 265-section-width in entrance and 295-section-width in again. The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber it’s utilizing is developed particularly for the Sapphire and as such options the distinctive designation on the sidewall. With a purpose to match the broader rubber, Lucid has given the Air a widebody re-style. The entrance is 0.83 inch wider, and the rear is 0.94 inch wider than a normal Air. The brand new wheels (20-inch in entrance and 21-inch in rear) additionally function carbon fiber aero disc covers to enhance the drag coefficient — plus they give the impression of being cool.
Lucid says it made mild adjustments to the outside in an effort to boost downforce with out tremendously affecting vary. Lucid doesn’t present a variety prediction, however claims it’ll retain the vary benefit it holds over opponents.
To assist the high-speed driving the Sapphire might be able to, Lucid put in new 18-way energy sport seats which can be trimmed in leather-based and Alcantara with Sapphire blue stitching. They’re nonetheless heated, cooled and massaged. The display shows may have new performance-focused menus to take a look at and it’ll function new drive modes, too. You’ll get the car’s most efficiency in “Sapphire” mode.
Lucid says the Sapphire will solely be supplied as a limited-production mannequin within the U.S. and Canada. Deliveries will start subsequent yr, and the beginning worth is $249,000, not together with a yet-to-be-announced vacation spot cost. Lucid solely has the Air in its lineup for now, however it says to count on a high-po Sapphire model of each automotive it produces sooner or later.
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