Looking to push its products further into the luxury stratosphere, Lucid unveiled Sapphire, Lucid’s new ultra-high-performance offering Friday at the Quail Lodge during Monterey Car Week. And fittingly, the first product from its new sub-brand is the Lucid Air Sapphire.
“Last year, Lucid rocked the world with the launch of Lucid Air,” said Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO of Lucid Group. “Today, with the introduction of the Sapphire line, we take the next logical step of advancement. Lucid Air Sapphire, being the very first Lucid product to bear the Sapphire name, builds upon our technical prowess to take electric high-performance on to next level.”
With the introduction of the Lucid Air Sapphire, the automaker is looking to produce the most powerful electric sedan in the world.
Polishing a gem
At the heart of the Lucid Air Sapphire is a three-motor powertrain, a first for the brand, with two in the rear and one up front. They produce more than 1,200 horsepower, delivering 60 mph in less than two seconds, 100 mph in less than four seconds and the standing quarter mile in less than 9 seconds. Thankfully, carbon ceramic disc brakes are standard.
That’s a bit of an upgrade for the already-speedy Air, which has 1,050 horsepower, a 0-60 mph time of 2.5 seconds, and a 9.9-second quarter mile.
“With three state-of-the-art electric motors — all developed and manufactured in-house by Lucid — Lucid Air Sapphire reaches an entirely new level of performance,” said Eric Bach, SVP of Product and chief engineer, Lucid Group. “And because a three-motor Lucid Air was always part of the development program, it retains all the strengths of Lucid Air variants already on the market — including limo-like rear legroom, a voluminous trunk and frunk, and impressive efficiency.”
Performance upgrades? Why, of course
Stiffer front and rear springs, special damper settings, stiffer bushings, and special tuning for ABS, traction control, stability control and electronic power steering are all found beneath the Lucid Air Sapphire.
As one might anticipate, the Lucid Air Sapphire wears wider, more aggressive 265/35R20 front tires and 295/30R21 rear tires. The Michelin PS4S tires were designed specifically for the vehicle.
Standard features include all-wheel drive and torque vectoring, which allows the vehicle’s rear to pivot by sending torque in opposing directions to the rear wheels to enhance either turn-in or straight-line stability. For quicker vehicle turn-in and response, the system also applies regenerative braking on the inside wheel while powering the outside wheel.
Given the added power, you wouldn’t be surprised that the Lucid Air Sapphire has an upgraded battery system, new heat exchanger, heightened coolant flow rate and a more precise thermal logic.
A unique appearance
Finished in a new Sapphire Blue exterior paint, the Lucid Air Sapphire incorporates the recently announced Stealth Look, which incorporates a black-polished finish to the front nose blade, C-pillar flags, and lower door and fascia trim, mirror caps and distinctive cantrails that frame the Air’s glass roof. A satin finish is employed on the lower body and headlight trim, as well as the blade tail lights.
Like the exterior, the Lucid Air Sapphire’s interior is finished in an approach dubbed Sapphire Mojave by Lucid. New 18-way power sport seats with heating, cooling, and massaging functions are covered in black leather with black Alcantara trim and Sapphire Blue contrast stitching.
The Lucid bear logomark, one of the symbols of the brand’s identity and a nod to its Californian roots, is displayed on the headrest. Mojave darkwood veneers are used to embellish the instrument panel and doors, and black Alcantara is used to trim the steering wheel and upper roof structure of the glass roof.
“Sapphire is among the most valued gemstones, prized for their brilliance, color, and hardness. Imperial Blue has long been the de facto national color for American motorsports teams engaged in international competitions,” said Derek Jenkins, senior vice president of Brand and Design, Lucid Group. “As Lucid’s dedicated ultra-high-performance brand, Sapphire references this history while setting new standards for innovation and technology.”
The limited-production model is planned to reach customers in the United States and Canada next year. The price is $249,000 U.S., $325,000 Canadian. Reservations go live Tuesday, Aug. 23 at noon EDT.
“Sapphire is the embodiment of what ultra-high-performance luxury means to Lucid,” Jenkins said.
