Lucid Air

The Lucid Air is an electric car whose prototype was unveiled by Lucid Motors in December 2016.[2] As of 2017, it was being designed to compete with existing brands in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, in particular the Tesla Model S, the Karma Revero, the Porsche Taycan, as well as other brands in the luxury car segment, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi.[3]

Lucid Air
Overview
ManufacturerLucid Motors
Production2021
AssemblyCasa Grande, Arizona, United States (Lucid Motors facility)
DesignerDerek Jenkins
Body and chassis
ClassExecutive car
Body style4-door sedan
Powertrain
Electric motorFront and rear motor producing 1,080 horsepower (810 kilowatts)
Transmission1 speed fixed gear
Battery113.0 kWh, 900-volt-plus electrical architecture
Electric rangeUp to 517 mi (832 km)[1]
Plug-in charging
  • Onboard charger
  • AC Charging to 19.2kW
  • Offboard charger
  • DC Combined Charging System (CCS) 300kW peak
Dimensions
Wheelbase116.5 in (2,960 mm)
Length195.9 in (4,975 mm)
Width76.3 in (1,939 mm)
Height55.5 in (1,410 mm)

The Air sedan is estimated to achieve an EPA-rated range of 517 miles (832 km) on a single charge.[4] The production version was unveiled in September 2020, and Lucid plans to put the car into production in the spring of 2021.[5]

In November, 2020, the Lucid Air Pure was announced with 406 miles of projected range and 480 horsepower and a starting price of $69,900 (after US federal tax credit). The full range of models includes Lucid Air Touring, Grand Touring, and Dream Edition versions.[6]

History

The Lucid Air was conceived in the early 2010s, with a prototype unveiled to the public in 2016,[2] and the production version unveiled in September 2020 with production planned to start in spring 2021.[5]

Lucid entered into a partnership deal with Samsung SDI on 2 December 2016 for battery procurement.[7][8]

In 2016, Lucid Motors created a delivery van prototype of its electric powertrain for the Air using batteries from its former brand, Atieva. Known as "Edna", the electric powered delivery van contained two gearboxes and motors and a battery pack capable of storing 87 kWh of energy, and producing over 900 hp (671 kW). Combined with all-wheel drive, other physical and software updates, Edna was able to achieve a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of 2.74 seconds and quarter mile time of 11.3 seconds.[9] According to Lucid Motors, Edna was used to test the performance and real world functionality of its powertrain, including "motor control algorithms, regenerative braking behaviors, accelerator pedal feel, and cooling strategies".[10]

Laguna Seca - In 2018, Lucid Motors set a new record with the Air, achieving a time of 1:39.30

In 2018, a modified Lucid Air prototype set an EV lap record of 1:41.67 at the Laguna Seca track, beating the Jaguar I Pace by seven seconds, previously holding a previous record of 1:48.18.[11] 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".[12] According to Lucid Motors, these modifications had little impact on the production weight of the car, differing only a few percent.

In 2018, Lucid Motors closed a US$1 billion investment deal with the Saudi Arabia to fund the Air's production.[13] Production was then expected to commence in late 2020 following the construction of the Lucid factory in Casa Grande, Arizona.[13] The factory's total investment was expected to amount to US$675 million by 2025 when all phases are complete, with the first phase including a US$168 million investment in equipment and US$82 million investment in property acquisition.[14]

By May 2019, the Air was available for pre-order in the United States and Canada, with plans stated to move to other markets in the near future, with a focus on China.[15] In an interview, Peter Rawlinson stated that China would pose as a significant market for Lucid Motors due to their intensive usage patterns, which the Air is best suited for.[16]

In a 2019 interview, Peter Rawlinson outlined that the US$100,000 plus vehicle could 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.[17] Rawlinson specified that Lucid Motors aims to improve energy efficiency to be 5 mi (8 km) / kWh as opposed to an industry average of 3 mi (5 km) / kWh.[17] Rawlinson further outlined then that the price of batteries was expected to drop to US$100 / kWh within the next decade, which he believes will enable Lucid Motors to produce a luxury EV for less than US$30,000.[17]

On June 30, 2020, Lucid Motors said that they expected the Lucid Air to be "the world's most aerodynamically efficient luxury car when it goes into production later this year."[18] The company "achieved a new benchmark in aerodynamic efficiency for its luxury electric car...with tests recently completed at Windshear's advanced rolling-road wind tunnel, the automaker verified a coefficient of drag of 0.21."[18]

On July 29, 2020, Lucid Motors announced DreamDrive, an Advanced Driver-Assistance System (ADAS) which will debut in the Air. The DreamDrive sensor suite has 32 sensors in total, including "14 cameras: Three forward-facing, four side- and rear-facing, four surround-view, a rear-facing, a rear-facing fisheye, and lastly, a driving monitoring one. There are five radar units. One is a forward-facing long-range sensor, and the other four are short-range ones. Twelve short-range ultrasonic sensors handle near-field detection, and lastly, a high-resolution, long-range, 125-beam (equivalent), forward-facing Lidar maps the three-dimensional space ahead of the car."[19]

Design

The Air has been designed to compete in the luxury sports segment against the Tesla Model S as well as high-line models from German car manufacturers.[3] Its goal is to match the ability of sport coupes,[20] but has a greater interior space, with a smaller external length and width.[21]

On September 9, 2020, the Lucid Air was officially unveiled, and on November 24, 2020 Lucid Motors detailed the full range including the Lucid Air Pure, Touring, Grand Touring and Dream Edition[22]

Range

On August 11, 2020, Lucid Motors unveiled that the Air is estimated to have an EPA range of 517 miles (832 km) on a single charge.[4] The results were verified by engineering consulting firm FEV North America.[4] This is 28% higher than the EPA range of 402 mi (647 km) for the Tesla Model S Long Range, which has the highest current EV range although a smaller battery.[23] The milestone is attributed to "Lucid’s in-house electric motors, design and aerodynamics, among other things...the company also cited the experience of its Atieva technology division, which supplies battery packs to the Formula E electric racing circuit."[4]

On November 24, the official range for all four models was revealed, including 406 miles for the Lucid Air Pure and Lucid Air Touring, 503 miles for the Lucid Air Dream Edition and 517 miles for the Lucid Air Grand Touring.[24]

DreamDrive (ADAS)

DreamDrive Advanced Driver-Assistance System with 14 cameras: three forward-facing, four side- and rear-facing, four surround-view, a rear-facing, a rear-facing fisheye, a drive-monitoring camera. There are five radar units.[19]

Aerodynamics

The Air has an industry-leading drag coefficient of 0.21.[18]

Powertrain

Lucid Motors will use lithium-ion battery cells sourced from Samsung SDI as the Air's primary powertrain.[7]

The base Air will be equipped with a 75 kWh battery with rear wheel drive, capable of producing 400 hp (298 kW), 600 N⋅m (443 lbf⋅ft) of torque and 240 mi (386 km) of range.[25] A larger version of the Air will have a 110 kWh battery pack which will provide an estimated 517 miles (832 km) of EPA range.[26] It will have all-wheel drive with a combined 1,000 hp (746 kW).[27] This version of the Air will be able to accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 2.5 seconds.[20] In their most recent performance test, the larger Air achieved a top speed of 235 mph (378 km/h).[28] According to Lucid Motors, the production model of the larger Air will be capable of a top speed over 200 mph (320 km/h).[20]

The Air has a rated energy efficiency of 21.4 kWh/100 km (62 miles), or 2.89 miles/kWh, which is equivalent to 2.4 litres/100 km in fuel.[29]

Charging

Lucid Motors plans to offer a nationwide charging plan to customers in the US through its joint agreement with Electrify America,[30] using a 900 volt system.[31] 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".[32] In a 2019 interview with Lucid Motors Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Peter Rawlinson recognized 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 among consumers.[16]

Lucid Motors 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 prolonged period of time without losing capacity.[16]

Furthermore, Lucid Motors claims that their cars will have reverse charging functionality.[5]

Features

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 trunk with a total luggage space of around 900 liters (32 cu ft), and over-the-air software updates."[20][33][34][35]    

The Air can be optioned with improved battery packs that will offer either 315 miles (507 km) or 400 miles (640 km), as well as a dual motor, all-wheel drive powertrain producing up to 1,000 horsepower (750 kW) for the top of the range.

Other options 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."[20][33][34]

References
  1. Jonathan M. Gitlin (11 August 2020). "Independent testing confirms the Lucid Air has a range of 517 miles (832 km)". Ars Technica.
  2. Lambert, Fred (2016-12-14). "Lucid unveils its electric sedan called 'Air': 400 miles of range, 1000 hp, 'autonomous-ready' and 'more than $100,000'". Electrek. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  3. "How does the Lucid Air stack up against the competition?". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
  4. Wayland, Michael (2020-08-11). "Lucid challenges Tesla with a luxury EV sedan that has a record 517 miles of range per charge". CNBC. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
  5. "Dream Ahead". September 9, 2020. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  6. Baldwin, Roberto (2020-11-25). "2022 Lucid Air Pure, Base Model of the New EV, to Start at $77,400". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
  7. "Lucid and Samsung SDI Strategic Partnership". Lucid Motors. 2016-12-06. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  8. Lucid (13 December 2016). "Lucid Motors Teams With Samsung SDI To Develop Next-Gen Lithium-Ion Battery Cells". InsideEVs. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  9. "Edna Gets an Upgrade". Lucid Motors. 2016-10-11. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  10. "Introducing Edna". Lucid Motors. 2016-07-13. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  11. Dow, Jameson (2018-09-06). "Lucid Air prototype beats production Jaguar/Tesla EVs by ~7 seconds in Laguna Seca lap". Electrek. Retrieved 2019-05-28.
  12. "Lucid Air Sets Laguna Seca Lap Time of 1:41.67". Lucid Motors. 2018-09-09. Retrieved 2019-05-28.
  13. Hawkins, Andrew J. (2018-09-17). "Lucid Motors closes $1 billion deal with Saudi Arabia to fund electric car production". The Verge. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  14. "Casa Grande preparing for Lucid's high-dollar Arizona car factory". AZ Central. 19 February 2019. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  15. "Lucid Air On Sale Now For $68,000". www.carshowroom.com.au. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
  16. "A look at Lucid Motors: Q&A with CTO Peter Rawlinson". chargedevs.com. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  17. Air, Lucid. "Exclusive: Lucid Explains Long-Term Vision For Affordable Luxury EV". insideEvs.com. Retrieved 2019-05-25.
  18. "Lucid Air claimed to be the most aerodynamically efficient luxury car". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  19. "2021 Lucid Air's DreamDrive Driver Assistance Package Will Include 32(!) Sensors". MotorTrend. 2020-07-29. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
  20. "Lucid". Lucid. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  21. Lucid Motors (2017-04-14), Exploring Air: Space Reimagined, retrieved 2019-05-06
  22. Baldwin, Roberto (2020-11-25). "2022 Lucid Air Pure, Base Model of the New EV, to Start at $77,400". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
  23. Baldwin, Roberto (2020-09-02). "Lucid Air EV's Battery Will Be a Big 113.0 kWh, Topping Tesla's Best". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  24. "Lucid Names Its Base Model Lucid Air Pure". InsideEVs. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
  25. "Lucid Air: 235mph EV to be launched at New York motor show". Autocar. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
  26. "Independent test suggests 517-mile EPA range for Lucid Air electric car". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
  27. "2021 Lucid Air: What We Know So Far". Car and Driver. 2020-01-16. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
  28. Lambert, Fred (2017-07-10). "Lucid Motors hits 235 mph (378 km/h) top speed with its all-electric sedan". Electrek. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  29. "Lucid Air". EV Database. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
  30. Edelstein, Stephen. "Lucid Motors to Use Electrify America Charging Network". The Drive. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  31. Lambert, Fred (5 February 2020). "Lucid: Tesla hasn't cracked it, we can take it to whole new level of range and efficiency". Electrek.
  32. "Lucid Motors to offer customers access to Electrify America's ultra-fast charging network". chargedevs.com. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  33. "Lucid Air will significantly undercut Tesla Model S on price". CarAdvice.com. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  34. "The Lucid Air electric car starts at just $60,000 – before tax credit". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  35. O'Kane, Sean (2017-03-16). "Lucid Motors' electric car will cost $60,000". The Verge. Retrieved 2019-05-10.

Further reading
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