Lucid Motors have, at last, enlightened us with some pricing and specifications for their all-electric offering, the Air. With a base price of US$60,000 (minus applicable government incentives) the Lucid Air could pose some serious competition for other electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, such as Tesla.
Lucid Motors, formerly known as Atieva, saw life in 2007 and is currently based in Menlo Park, California. Lucid began making a prototype car in 2014, dubbed the “Atieva Atvus.” It was later unveiled as the “Lucid Air” in December 2016 at a private VIP event in Fremont, California.
Back in November 2016, it was announced that a $700 million manufacturing plant is slated for constructed in Casa Grande. Lucid Motors have said that they plan to begin production about two years after construction of the factory begins, which may occur this year.
Lucid Motors have devised a new blog series called Clear the Air which aims to keep the public up-to-date with the Air’s progress. The inaugural post was used to elaborate further upon the pricing structure and features of the Air. A base price of $52,500 was quoted, which is $60,000 minus the current $7,500 federal tax credit. This is all well and good if the Air’s release was imminent, but it is at least two years away. In that time, the federal tax credit may be reduced, if it exists at all.
The base model Lucid Air will be fitted out with some impressive kit. According to Lucid’s blog, features will include:
- 240 mi (386 km) range
- 400 hp (298 kW) – rear-wheel drive
- All hardware necessary for autonomous driving
- Front and rear trunk (combined storage capacity > 32 cubic feet)
- 12-way power front seats
- LED multi-lens array headlights
- Four screens (interactive-touch surfaces on three)
- 5-seat configuration with a rear bench seat
- 10 airbags
- Aluminium roof
- 19″ wheels
- 10-speaker audio system
- Over-the-air software updates
Some of the Lucid Air’s optional extras will include:
- 315 / 400 mi (507 / 644 km) range batteries
- Up to 1,000 hp (746 kW) twin-motor configuration, with all-wheel drive
- Fully active suspension
- Glass roof
- Rear executive seats that can recline up to 55 degrees
- 22-way power front seats with heating, ventilation, dynamic bolsters and massage
- 21″ Lucid-design wheels
- 29-speaker audio system with active noise cancellation
- Expanded leather trim with corresponding material upgrades
Although a firm price for a fully loaded Air has not yet been released, Lucid did state that it would be over $100,000. Just how much over is anyone’s guess.
Lucid will make 255 ‘Launch Edition’ cars available to customers once production starts. They will be wrapped in unique colors and adorned with special badging. Expect these cars to have a range of 315 miles, power output of 1,000 hp, 21″ wheels and an upgraded audio system. Some features, such as the rear executive seats, are not confirmed for this particular model. Price will be over $100,000, with additional details released closer to the start of production.
Some may say that a starting price of $60,000 is far too expensive for an EV, and that you could buy an internal combustion engine (ICE) powered car for a fraction of the price. Well, what you have to keep in mind is that this is Lucid’s first ever production car. Also, the base inclusions are pretty impressive, by today’s standards. But, how will these specifications compare with the technology available in over two year’s time?
We wish Lucid Motors well in bringing a production model of the Air to market. More players in the EV industry will increase competition, driving new technology and reducing EV prices. The winner, in the end, will be the consumer and, more importantly, the environment.
Source/s: Lucid Motors.