Peter Lyon
September 11, 2024
Lucid burst onto the scene back in 2021 with its luxury ‘Air’ sedan, a super fast electric car that beat Tesla’s Model S Plaid while winning Motor Trend’s 2022 Car of the Year award.
The flagship ‘Air Sapphire’ boasted a 3-motor setup that generates 1200+ hp, enough power to sprint from 0-60 mph in 2.1 seconds and cover the quarter mile in just 9.1 seconds, according to popular website Hagerty. For the record, the Plaid also reached 60 mph in 2.1 seconds but lost out to the Sapphire over the quarter mile with a 9.3 second time.
Now there’s a new Lucid on the scene, and it will be the most affordable and widely available yet. At Lucid’s tech and manufacturing day for major reveals, the California-based startup announced its third car would be a medium-sized electric crossover.
A crossover, that is, with a price tag of less than $50,000 will be available for purchase in 2026. A midsize EV under $50,000? Now that’s really throwing down the gauntlet to the Model Y, a Tesla that ranges in price from $42,000 to $51,000.
The new Lucid crossover “will use the efficiency and cost advantages enabled by Lucid technology to deliver the same range as competitors while using a smaller battery,” the company said, although it is still early days.
This technology revolves around the company’s next-generation “Atlas Drive Unit,” which is simply a scaled-down version of the one that is now in use. It has been confirmed for this upcoming crossover and any subsequent automobiles spun off the midsize platform.
According to Lucid, reducing the size of the drive unit makes the interior roomier and more efficient, which enables longer range from less batteries.
The company added that, “the advanced drive units’ full potential is enabled by a proprietary software stack.” Possibilities include improved battery management, traction control, and torque vectoring.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
Based on the exceptional driving experience of the Lucid Air saloon and the stunning appearance of the Gravity SUV, it appears that the American electric vehicle firm may be experiencing a significant breakthrough. Additionally, it builds on its own success: as of the end of August, it has sold more automobiles this year than it had in the entire year 2023.
