Lucid Air Finally In Production

The new Lucid Air – finally rolling off the production line in Arizona – might be mortally imperilling joy. And, as this is going to be the biggest rivalry, let’s start comparing the pair.

The range of the new Lucid Air, (as per American EPA tests) is 520 miles compared to the 405 mile range on the Tesla Model S Long Range. That is 115 more miles, which is more than 20%. Which you can consider, I mean 115 miles!

Credits - InsideEVs

Credits - InsideEVs

Let's come to the performance, cause obviously we tend to consider that more, I guess. While the Tesla Model S Plaid puts out an impressive 1,020bhp, the Lucid Air has 1,111bhp currently only available with the 'Dream Edition' spec. But hey if you want performance, that is what you're gonna go for.

Horsepower is just a number though, and the Model S Plaid is faster than the Lucid because it has a much higher top speed (as the Lucid is restricted) and a faster 0-60. Obviously 0-60 in 1.99 seconds is much faster than the 2.5 in the Lucid.

Well, about that. Tesla’s sub-two-second sprint comes with quite a few caveats, as the fine people at Motor Trend found out. Anyhow, Tesla insisted that Motor Trend test the Plaid on a specially prepared drag strip – which includes that super-sticky spray-on stuff at the start line to aid traction. Which is not fair. And, the Plaid’s actual 0-60 time on a prepared surface is back over the two-second mark. And, on a regular road, you’re likely looking at more like 2.3 seconds.

Credits - TopSpeed on YouTube

Credits - TopSpeed on YouTube

As for top speed... well, anything after 70mph is illegal in a great many jurisdictions, but lets leave that argument. Anything after 100mph is antisocial everywhere but on an autobahn. Anything after 150mph is chuffing quick, even on the autobahn. And 200mph? Apart from a line item on your bucket list, it’s irrelevant. As is, we’re sure, the 235mph an unrestricted Lucid achieved in testing.

Inside the cabin, the Lucid definitely has more in the way of what you’d expect from a luxury saloon. As always, taste is very different among people – one man’s minimalism is another man’s show off thing – but the Lucid arguably has more to it on the whole. Including a whole steering wheel (lol), which feels like the kind addition one would want when trying to control more than 1,000bhp of instant electricity. Tesla fans may be happy, but this is the first Lucid, there's much more to improve, improvise and adapt.