U.S. electric car manufacturer Lucid has unveiled the full details about the high-end version of its upcoming electric vehicle called the Air Sapphire. The model’s propulsion system includes three electric motors, two in the rear and one in the front, arranged to provide a constant dual-motor setup with rear-biased torque vectoring similar to the Tesla Model S Plaid.
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The car’s combined output stands at an impressive 1,234 horsepower, which is 214 horsepower more than its American competitor. Acceleration from 0 to 97 km/h (60 mph) takes just 1.89 seconds, nearly a tenth of a second faster.
To put this into perspective, the fastest, most powerful Ferrari car, the SF90 Stradale, will do the same only half a second later. The Sapphire’s range is also greater than that of the Model S Plaid by 50 km (687 km), featuring high-voltage (900V) batteries that allow for ultra-fast charging at charging stations.
The Sapphire is the first car introduced by the up-and-coming manufacturer and is based on a dedicated platform called the Lucid Electric Advanced Platform (LEAP). In Sapphire’s case, it features an aluminum roof compared to a glass panoramic roof, which will reduce weight and lower its center of gravity.
To upgrade the model’s dynamic capabilities to be in line with its added power, the jumps, adaptive dampers, and stiffer stabilizer bars feature different geometries, while ceramic brakes (420 mm discs and 10-piston calipers in the front, 390 mm discs, and 4-piston calipers in the rear) handle the braking.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires developed specifically for the Sapphire by the French tire manufacturer are wider by 3 cm in the rear (295/30) and 2 cm in the front (265/35) compared to the regular models.
The unique wheels ("20 in the front, "21 in the rear) have a central locking mechanism commonly found in racing cars, with a removable carbon cover for reduced air turbulence. Additionally, the cargo compartment door also has an air intake scoop at its edge.
Lucid reports that it’s re-calibrated the model’s electronic systems - ABS and stability control - and added a "track" mode to the driving selector in the main console. Significant use of electronics is evident in the passenger compartment, with improved support for the seats.
Despite being one of the new players in the industry, Lucid is considered to be one of the most esteemed companies in the electric car field. Primarily due to its Air model, which has garnered much praise worldwide, blending high-quality design and engineering feats that have made it a serious contender against none other than Elon Musk’s Tesla.
Additionally, the Sapphire snatches the title of the fastest electric car from Tesla, while also promising comprehensive system upgrades that will enable it to be impressive in every performance test.
Lucid’s next step will be expanding its model offerings to those that fall into more popular categories – with its Gravity model serving as a leisure version of the Air alongside more affordable categories. With the ever-continuous lineup of Chinese electric car models, this is a refreshing and welcome change.