Lucid Air Grand Touring - test drive
Discussion
I was passing by the Lucid HQ in California last week, so popped in to see the Lucid Air cars in person. They look even more captivating in person than on the web.
Chatted to a Lucid rep and said I'm over from the UK, just wanted to see the car in the flesh, and they said, how about a test drive right now! Of course I said yes, they made it really easy, just glanced at my UK licence and off we went.
They said the cars are going to launch in the UK sometime in 2023, but can't say exactly when. Naturally the first models to launch will be the most expensive ones.
I tried out a Grand Touring version, which is about $150k, 819 bhp, 0-60 in 3 seconds, 516 miles of range
It drove better than the MB EQS I tried recently. Last time I drove a Tesla Model S was in 2018 (pre Raven) and it wipes the floor with that era of Model S in terms luxury, build quality and how it drives.
It drives much more cohesively than many luxury EVs I've tried out. It's like all the different teams working on the car actually collaborated to put together a well finished car that handles, rides and stops amazingly well. I find a lot of times, EVs are often a bit disjointed in their driving experience, whether it's a great riding car spoilt by too much wind/road noise at speed or great handling but so so ride or having explosive performance off the line which tails off at higher speeds.
Acceleration is buttery smooth and so linear. You don't even notice the 0-60 time of 3 seconds when using launch control, it's that smooth and well insulated from the road and the motors. The way it went round bends was pretty spectacular for such a heavy saloon too. I couldn't believe it. Very flat, hardly and body roll and the seats are so comfy and hold you in. Really easy to find a comfortable driving position immediately. They really have nailed that mix of ride and handling for a luxury car.
34 inch 5k screen is super clear but user interface is a tad laggy at times, but I believe that's being fixed with a software update. Interior is spacious, front and rear and the windscreen that extends way above your head (even more so than a Tesla Model X) is delightful.
The Sapphire edition in their studio looks stunning. That's the version with 1,200bhp and 0-60 under 2 seconds (competing with Tesla Model S Plaid) - that's $250,000 though!
However, odd that the steering wheel doesn't come out very far. A minor niggle but a bit odd. I feel that Lucid Air is a welcome addition to the luxury EV space (especially if you like saloons) and I may consider getting one in 2023, alongside my BMW iX that I pick up this week.
Well worth test driving one if you're in California (they also have a studio in Munich, Germany where you can test drive too) - Hope we see more 500+ mile range EVs coming out in years to come.
Chatted to a Lucid rep and said I'm over from the UK, just wanted to see the car in the flesh, and they said, how about a test drive right now! Of course I said yes, they made it really easy, just glanced at my UK licence and off we went.
They said the cars are going to launch in the UK sometime in 2023, but can't say exactly when. Naturally the first models to launch will be the most expensive ones.
I tried out a Grand Touring version, which is about $150k, 819 bhp, 0-60 in 3 seconds, 516 miles of range
It drove better than the MB EQS I tried recently. Last time I drove a Tesla Model S was in 2018 (pre Raven) and it wipes the floor with that era of Model S in terms luxury, build quality and how it drives.
It drives much more cohesively than many luxury EVs I've tried out. It's like all the different teams working on the car actually collaborated to put together a well finished car that handles, rides and stops amazingly well. I find a lot of times, EVs are often a bit disjointed in their driving experience, whether it's a great riding car spoilt by too much wind/road noise at speed or great handling but so so ride or having explosive performance off the line which tails off at higher speeds.
Acceleration is buttery smooth and so linear. You don't even notice the 0-60 time of 3 seconds when using launch control, it's that smooth and well insulated from the road and the motors. The way it went round bends was pretty spectacular for such a heavy saloon too. I couldn't believe it. Very flat, hardly and body roll and the seats are so comfy and hold you in. Really easy to find a comfortable driving position immediately. They really have nailed that mix of ride and handling for a luxury car.
34 inch 5k screen is super clear but user interface is a tad laggy at times, but I believe that's being fixed with a software update. Interior is spacious, front and rear and the windscreen that extends way above your head (even more so than a Tesla Model X) is delightful.
The Sapphire edition in their studio looks stunning. That's the version with 1,200bhp and 0-60 under 2 seconds (competing with Tesla Model S Plaid) - that's $250,000 though!
However, odd that the steering wheel doesn't come out very far. A minor niggle but a bit odd. I feel that Lucid Air is a welcome addition to the luxury EV space (especially if you like saloons) and I may consider getting one in 2023, alongside my BMW iX that I pick up this week.
Well worth test driving one if you're in California (they also have a studio in Munich, Germany where you can test drive too) - Hope we see more 500+ mile range EVs coming out in years to come.
Yep, saw one in miami earlier last month, really like it, waiting for it to land in europe, surprised they’re doing a rhd.
As a luxury option i think EVs will do well, now they have this range, people arent buying these as an only car so arent bothered about ‘no soul’
Thanks for your thoughts on it.
As a luxury option i think EVs will do well, now they have this range, people arent buying these as an only car so arent bothered about ‘no soul’
Thanks for your thoughts on it.
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