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''This article is about the "Lucid Air". For more information, see Lucid Motors.''

Lucid Air is an electric car that was unveiled in December 2016 by Lucid Motors. It has been designed to compete with existing brands in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, in particular Tesla, Inc. as well as other brands in the luxury car segment, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. Whilst not officially available for sale to date, production is expected to commence in 2020, followed by the car’s commercial release shortly after.

Design
The Lucid Air has been designed to compete in the luxury sports segment, primarily against the Tesla Model S, as well as higher range models from German rivals. Dynamically, Lucid Motors aims to match the ability of sports coupes such as the Audi A7, BMW 6 Series and Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, whilst offering greater space, comfort, technology and utility than their most expensive models, the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The Lucid Air will also compete against new EV's from European rivals, including the Audi e-tron (2018), Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes-Benz EQC.

The Lucid Air offers greater interior space than key competitors (84.5 inches from the driver’s foot well to rear passenger seat, compared to 83.3 inches in the BMW 750Li and 81.1 inches in the Mercedes S550L), yet has a smaller external footprint, spanning 195.5 inches long (206.6 inches in the BMW 750Li and 206.5 inches in the Mercedes SL550L). Lucid claims the Air's setup is attributed to its electric powertrain, which requires less space than a traditional combustion engine.

Powertrain
Lucid Motors will use lithium ion battery cells sourced from Samsung SDI as the Air’s primary powertrain. This follows a strategic partnership deal between the two companies, which took place on 2 December 2016. The base Lucid Air will be equipped with a 75Wh battery with rear wheel drive, capable of producing 400 horsepower, 600nm of torque and 240 miles of range. A second battery pack producing either 100kWh or 130kWh with all-wheel drive can also be equipped, which combined will produce 1000 horsepower and 400 miles of range. The most powerful version of the Air will be able to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds, falling just short of the Tesla Model S P100D, which holds the record for the fastest accelerating production car, achieving a 0-60mph time of 2.28 seconds. In their most recent performance test, the Lucid Air achieved a top speed of 235 mph (378 km/h). According to Lucid, the production model of the Air will be capable of a top speed over 200mph if equipped with dual motors.

Energy Efficiency
The Air has a rated energy efficiency of 21.4kWh/100km, equivalent to 2.4 litres/100km in fuel. This outperforms the Air's closest competitor, the Model S by 8%, which is rated at 19.6kWh/100km, however falls short of electric models by other competitors, including the Jaguar I Pace, which is 4% more energy efficient with a stated rating of 22.3kWh/100km, and Audi e-tron, with a stated rating of 23.2kWh/100km.

Edna
In 2016, Lucid created a prototype of its electric powertrain for the Lucid Air using batteries from its former brand, Atieva. Known as “Edna”, the electric powered delivery van contained two gearboxes and motors capable of storing 87 kWh of energy, and producing over 900hp. Combined with all-wheel drive, other physical and software updates, “Edna” was able to achieve a 0-60 mph time of 2.74 seconds and quarter mile time of 11.3 seconds. According to Lucid Motors, “Edna” was used to test the performance and real world functionality of its powertrain, including “motor control algorithms, regenerative braking behaviours, accelerator pedal feel, and cooling strategies”.

Laguna Seca
In 2018, the Lucid Air set an EV production lap record of 1:41.67, beating the Jaguar I Pace by seven seconds, previously holding a record of 1:48.18. Featured as a prototype, the Air was equipped with "Pirelli P Zero PZ4 summer tyres, modified high temperature brake pads and fluid, a 6 point roll cage and fire suppression system". According to Lucid, these modifications had little impact on the production weight of the car, differing only a few percent.

Equipped with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres, Lucid was able to improve its existing time by two seconds to 1:39.30. However, Jaguar's lap record still stands as Lucid has not yet achieved production of the Air.

Production
In 2018, Lucid Motors closed a $1 billion investment deal with Saudi Arabia to fund the Air's production, which is expected to commence in late 2020 following the construction of its factory in Casa Grande, Arizona. The factory’s total investment is expected to amount to $675 million by 2025 when all phases are complete, with the first phase including a $168 million investment in equipment and $82 million property investment.

The construction and future operation of the factory will contribute up to $32 billion over 20 years and facilitate the creation of thousands of jobs. In the first phase of production, the factory’s production capacity will start off at approximately 20,000 vehicles a year, creating up to 745 employment opportunities, however is expected to grow to 130,000 following subsequent improvements to the factory.

Headquarters
In 2017, Lucid announced that it had outgrown their headquarters in Menlo Park, California, and chosen to move to 7500 Gateway Blvd, at the Pacific Research Centre in Newark. Based near Lucid's prototype design shop, the Newark headquarters are twice the size, containing a larger design studio, more lab and office space. Lucid's Newark headquarters borders Fremont, where Tesla manufactures their cars.

Charging
Lucid Motors will offer a nationwide charging plan to customers in the US through its joint agreement with Electrify America. In the first phase of its construction, Electrify America will offer “more than 2,000 fast charging stations over 500 sites, spread out across 40 states and 17 major metropolitan areas”. In an interview with Lucid Motors Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Peter Rawlinson recognised fast charging capability as a priority due to the emergence of more intense usage patterns and demand for “stop-and-go” fast charging as a result of time constraints amongst consumers.

Lucid claims that its 2170 cells differ significantly from normal lithium ion cells due to their tolerance of repeated cyclic fast charging and non use for a prolong period of time without losing capacity.

Price and Features
The Lucid Air is set to start at US$60,000, however the application of a federal tax credit will reduce the price to US$52,500. The base model will be equipped with a single motor, rear wheel drive setup, producing 400 horsepower and 240-mile range. According to Lucid Motors, other standard features include:

“LED headlights, all the necessary hardware for autonomous driving, four high resolution screens (three of which are touch sensitive), 19 inch alloy wheels, 10 speaker sound system, 12-way power adjustment for the front seats, front and rear boots with a total luggage space of around 900 litres, and over the air software updates”.

The Lucid Air can be optioned with improved battery packs that’ll offer either 315 miles and 400 miles, as well as a dual motor, all-wheel drive powertrain producing up to 1000 horsepower for the top of the range. Other options for the car include:

“active suspension, a panoramic sunroof, executive rear seats that can recline up to 55 degrees, a 29 speaker sound system with noise cancellation, 21 inch alloy wheels, and front seats with heating, ventilation, dynamic bolsters, massage and 22 way electric adjustment”.

Whilst Lucid hasn’t specified a price for the optional extras, a fully equipped Air will cost over US$100,000. Compared to the market, the Lucid Air is similar in price if not less expensive than its key rivals.


 * Audi A8 – Starts at US$83,800 before on road costs, reaching up to US$130,000 for a fully equipped model. The price is expected to be higher for the new Audi S8 and S8 Plus, which is forecasted to release in 2020.
 * BMW 7 Series – starts at US$86,450 before on road costs, reaching up to US$160,000 for a fully equipped, range topping model, the M760Li.
 * Mercedes S Class – Starts at US$91,250 before on road costs, reaching up to $253,550 for a fully equipped, range topping model, the S65 AMG.
 * Tesla Model S – Starts at US$68,750 before on road costs, reaching up to US$130,000 for a fully equipped model, the P100D.

The base Lucid Air can be reserved for US$2500, or US$25,500 for 1 of 255 limited edition versions, which will come equipped with Lucid’s dual performance motors and optional extras.

Availability
The Lucid Air is available for pre-order in the United Sales and Canada, although production has not yet commenced. Whilst only available in these locations, Lucid aims to break into new global markets in the near future, with a strong focus on China.

In an interview with Charged, Peter Rawlinson outlined that China would pose as a significant market for Lucid due to their intensive usage patterns, which the Air is best suited for. With repeated fast charging capability and the trend towards ride share applications, it is expected that the Air will be used intensely and replace the need for private car ownership, which will help ease congestion in metropolitan areas.

Vision
Lucid Motor's vision for the Air extends beyond the production and commercial release of the vehicle. In an interview, Peter Rawlinson outlined that the $100,000 plus vehicle can be seen as the first stage of a much bigger vision, which is to achieve a level of energy efficiency that combined with an ubiquitous fast charging network, will counteract the need for bigger sized batteries. Rawlinson specified that Lucid aims to improve energy efficiency to 5 miles per kilowatt-hour as opposed to an average of 3 miles per kilowatt hour. Combined with an abundant ultra fast charging network supported by Electrify America, the need for long range on a single charge will diminish.

"Why would I want more than 150-mile range because I know I can fast charge anywhere I go? And if I can get five miles per kilowatt hours, then I only need a 30 kilowatt-hour pack".

Rawlinson further outlined that the price of batteries is expected to drop to $100 per kWh within the next decade, which he believes will enable Lucid to produce a luxury EV for less than $30,000.

"That's how we change the way that humanity mobilises itself. That's what drives me. It's that long term strategy".

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