Lucid Air Sapphire: the anti-Tesla Model S Plaid

With 1234 electric horsepower, the American sedan Lucid Air Sapphire also dips into frivolity to make a name for itself.

We knew it was in the works for nearly a year; now it is finally delivered to its first customers. But before taking possession of the keys, a small bank deposit is required: $249,000 (about €237,000) before taxes (VAT varies from state to state in the U.S.) and without options. No options are available for now, as the American company does not offer any at this time.

Only one exterior color (Sapphire Blue Metallic + black roof), 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch at the rear, also black and with large vents on carbon-ceramic discs, black leather interior. Sobriety and elegance are thus the goals. As for fun, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

It’s surprising when you think about it: what’s the point of producing a sedan with 1234 horsepower, capable of accelerating to 100 km/h in 1.9 seconds and cruising at 330 km/h if it looks so ordinary?

The schizophrenia of Lucid Motors will always surprise us. This young American manufacturer, many of whose executives have left Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk with quite complicated management methods, only yearns for one thing: to take down Tesla. But over time, it turns into an obsession, and in this game, Tesla’s economic maturity could end up killing Lucid Motors, which would be better off choosing its battles wisely. Building such an elitist sedan offers no real solution to mobility, and the wealthy clientele probably won’t want to become guinea pigs for $250,000.

Still, this Air Sapphire sedan is intriguing because its appearance is much less dull than one might think. Its roofline immediately evokes the Alpine A110, the profile resembles a Porsche Taycan, and the wheel arches are similar to Mercedes. The marriage of blue and black is elegant, while the black mascara subtly highlights the eyes, complemented by the lowered suspension completing the look.

Under the hood, it’s a different story: three electric motors delivering more than 1230 horsepower, compared to the Tesla Model S Plaid with “only” 1020 horsepower and a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 2.1 seconds. However, Tesla compensates on the price front, with a difference of over $100,000 (or euros, as a gift). Sure, the finish seems to be of a different caliber than Tesla, where plastic reigns, but Lucid is somewhat pushing its luck…

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