Lucid Motors has revealed its hotly-anticipated, tri-motor Air Sapphire.
The tri-motor Air Sapphire sedan packs three motors – two on the rear axle, one on the front – to deliver more than 895kW of power, and a 0-97km/h (60mph) sprint time below two seconds.
That would put it in line with the Tesla Model S Plaid (1.98 seconds), and makes it at least 0.6 seconds faster than the previous Lucid Air performance flagship.
The quarter mile flies by in less than nine seconds, and flat out the Sapphire will do more than 320km/h.
All these claims are… claims at the moment, but Lucid is promising it’ll confirm final power outputs and provide instrumented test results to prove the Sapphire’s bonafides before launch.
Lucid says the Sapphire will be more than a straight-line missile. The rear motors can be independently controlled, so the outside motor can deliver full power while the inside motor regeneratively brakes.
That should allow for levels of agility not usually associated with huge luxury sedans. Backing the clever motors are stiffer springs, unique dampers, stiffer bushings, and retuned electronic driver assists, and the steel brakes have been axed in favour of carbon ceramic units.
The car rides on 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.
Externally, you’ll be able to differentiate the Sapphire from lesser variants by its subtle carbon-fibre aero package, along with its blue paint. At launch, all Sapphires will be Sapphire Blue to celebrate the performance brand’s launch.
The driver and passenger sit in 18-way power adjustable sports seats, and the infotainment system features a range of graphics specific to the Sapphire.
All that performance doesn’t come cheap. American buyers will need to pay US$249,000 (~$360,000), and production will be limited.
