FINALLY YA’LL! Nearly two years after its initial announcement, we drove the 1,234 horsepower Lucid Air Sapphire in all its tri-motor glory. Spoiler alert! It didn’t disappoint. This EV is a masterclass in power and efficiency, setting the bar for a brand new breed of vehicles which are as fast as they’re luxurious. Peep the complete video review at the underside.
Lucid Motors continues to achieve notoriety within the EV space for its industry-leading efficiency and in lots of cases, bonkers performance specs. All of those accolades have come from only one model to date – the Air sedan.
While the American automaker remains to be looking to search out its stride in brand recognition to spice up sales of its flagship vehicle, it shouldn’t be from an absence of effort. All variants of the Air sedan are impressive, delivering some of the perfect range in your entire industry, all inside a sleek and luxe 924V package.
We recently saw Lucid roll out its 2024 model 12 months versions of the Air, which now features a RWD version of its entry-level Air Pure and a range-boosted Grand Touring. We’ll save thoughts on those versions for one more day (although we did just drive them each).
Today’s focus is on the head of Lucid’s current portfolio and arguably of all mass-produced passenger EVs – the Air Sapphire. This exclusive tri-motor variant was first announced in the summertime of 2022 with some redonkulous performance specs. We’re talking 0-60 mph in 1.98 seconds (from a standstill, mind you), 0-100 mph in under 4 seconds, and a top speed of 205 mph.
If you’re asking yourself why that kind of acceleration is obligatory, first off, you’re a idiot, and second, because Lucid has the technological prowess to achieve this. This halo EV is a significant flex – not built for the typical consumer (it does cost $250k in spite of everything), but exists as an exercise in futuristic all-electric performance.
It’s not my place to decide on a winner within the equation, but my profession does put me in a wonderful position where I get to check out insane rides just like the Lucid Air Sapphire and report back to you lovely readers.
If you’ve read my work before (you higher have!), you could recall I’ve been calling out the Lucid team directly each time I cover the Air Sapphire, asking begging them to provide me a probability to drive it. Finally, that chance got here my way, and I made sure to document my real reactions as I put the accelerator to the ground for the first time… nonetheless, and again, and again. Here are my thoughts.
The Lucid Air Sapphire is the fastest thing I’ve ever been in
We got invited to the Bay Area to tour the Lucid Motors design studio and test-drive all of the 2024 Air models, including the Sapphire. While I used to be fascinated about testing out all variants of the Air, I used to be genuinely clamoring to get into Sapphire, and the Lucid team should have known it because they put me in that bad boy first (thanks, team).
Right out of the car parking zone, the acceleration of the Lucid Air Sapphire was undeniable—a lot in order that I missed my first activate the planned route and drove about 4 miles within the incorrect direction without even noticing. This was a theme for me throughout the day, and I swear I actually have proper navigation skills. I used to be simply more focused on putting Sapphire through some windy roads and wide-open straightaways around Half Moon Bay.
What can I say that has yet to be shared? Is Sapphire fast? Probably the fastest… at the least from what I’ve experienced. However, that is only one easy element of this dynamic sedan. The overall ride is unapologetically smooth at any speed, from any angle, and in any of the three drive modes… so long as you already know what you’re doing.
This is barely a vehicle for somebody with adequate driving experience, each in EVs and generally. It’s a wild stallion of a vessel that may attempt to buck you off of it at every turn in the event you’re not careful. I used to be living for it, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t puckered a number of times.
As you’ll see in my video review below, the first proper straightaway delivered visible shock in my body language as I tightened up and shortened my neck like a turtle attempting to hide. I assumed 1,111 horsepower within the Dream Edition was wild once I experienced Air for the first time back in 2021, but Lucid’s Sapphire edition takes it to a complete other echelon.
Yeah, I broke some speed laws, but how could you not if you get a chance like this one? Be cool, and don’t snitch; I used to be protected. I promise. Whether from a standstill or already in motion, the pure speed of this EV is unmatched, providing you with the liberty to overtake any vehicle each time you wish with zero delay.
Aside from the acceleration, I used to be in awe of the Sapphire’s handling. It’s sticky as hell, as proved by miles of winding wet roads surrounded by redwoods in California. The Alcantara seats and steering wheel offered plenty of comfort while driving, and you already know I had those air-conditioned seats to maintain my back cool during my adrenaline-fueled ride.
I did notice that the Sapphire’s cabin was not as quiet as the opposite Lucid Air variants, but it surely wasn’t an enormous difference. While I tested out all three drive modes of the sedan, I actually found myself in the bottom “Smooth” mode probably the most – that was good enough speed for me. If you’re at all times driving this thing in Sapphire mode, you’re either a maniac or belong in Formula E… or each.
This is one of the rare instances in all my drives where it’s difficult to relay how impressive the drive of the Lucid Air Sapphire is. It’s something you have got to experience for yourself. To aid in my demonstration of its power, I put together somewhat video of my experience, complete with expressions of fear, thrill, and pure elation.
The Lucid Air Sapphire is offered now for a price of $249,000. Here’s my video in your viewing pleasure:
Credit : electrek.co
