What’s got three motors, 1234 horsepower, does 0-60 in less than two seconds and has more boot space than a Tesla? Why, it’s a car you might well never have heard of.
The Lucid Air’s range-topping model is the Sapphire, a super-saloon that seeks not just to be faster, but also comfier, quieter, cleverer, more efficient and much roomier than the competition. It’s the sort of car born out of dissatisfaction with the world – in this case company CEO Peter Rawlinson’s frustration (while working as Tesla’s chief engineer) that the Model S wasn’t as good as it could’ve been.
Top Gear’s Ollie Kew has been to drive it, and interview the Lucid boss to find out what drives him….
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:53 Walkaround
03:32 Chat With Peter Rawlinson: Part 1
09:23 The Stats
15:14 Chat With Peter Rawlinson: Part 2
20:54 Lucid’s Competitors
22:18 Chat With Peter Rawlinson: Part 3
27:18 Conclusion
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Would you pick a £100K Model S Plaid or a $249K Lucid Air Sapphire?
again this annoying "presenter"…. soon I will have to unsubscribe
It's misleading to compare the Sapphire to the Plaid. The Sapphire is their absolute pinnacle, no expense spared, ultra luxury version. One step down the Air Grand Touring is less than half the price at $109k and still has 819bhp.
Why is this guy so annoying 😵💫
Front boot = froot
$249,000USD 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.
Tesla still better because you getting almost the same thing for a 'way way' lesser price.
Lucid's biggest weapon is it's biggest Achilles heel: its engineering.
Designing a car that governed by engineers may render you one of the best driving, best quality ev's of all time, but in order to financially facilitate this big of a brain power, they're having to go over and beyond with the pricing. It's goes without saying that a 200k+ saloon will sell terrible in today's market, not to mention with all of the gasoline alternatives you get at that price. A very, very niche segment of customers can have their needs settled by this car, and the ramifications of that are now, in my opinion very unfortunately, being reflected in the state of this company and its market prices.
Saudis need to give Pete time
Apparently you do not know what 90 degrees is…
When you hear Pete explain you just feel his passion, I am in awe of this guy I pray Lucid grows and becomes a success
They might have the backing of the Saudi's at the moment, but I feel like they need a Model 3 and Model Y competitor soon that more people can afford now, or all this investment won't count for anything by 2030. Say what you will about Tesla, but they were smart to make sure to get out more cars that the general public can afford/want now, than to just keep on with their Model S and X.
Let's not forget that the Model S design started with Henrik Fisker. That's why it resembles an Aston Martin 🙂
Did he say $249,000!? That’s absolutely insane
😍😍
Concave wheels! Nice
I have always wondered by Teslas have a bonnet
This car is truly amazing, would have loved a bit more in depth look at the cars "quirks and features", 😉 but I do love Peter's sophisticated chatter about LUCID and how it is going forward to be sustainable. The only other EV car close to this yhst I prefer is the LOTUS EMEYA, Taycans and Teslas are falling way behind and not even intresting/pioneering anymore. 🤣👍
Haven’t seen one in the uk roads
Love Peter Rawlinson's tea cup. It takes Brains. 🤣👍
Close call with that Saudi Question
There's something that's being overlooked here with regards to the future success of this company in comparison to Tesla. Elon Musk has managed to iconise himself to such an extent that his image alone carries with it massive marketing cache. Everyone knows who Elon Musk is and every one knows about Tesla. It has become a status symbol brand in part simply because Elon is a kind of pop star of the tech world. Teenage girls know who Elon Musk is and what a Tesla is, but the same can't be said about Peter Rawlinson and Lucid. Unfortunately, most people couldn't give a rat's ass about Lucid being an "engineers car". It's a shame.
I hope their funders can hold on longer, I like Lucid's approach to making an EV car.
when is it coming to the UK
Continues on wing Air developt and mechanical.
Top class Car.
I hope they are around next year tho.
I'd feel so much better buying a car from this man rather than Elon.
They have the r&d to trickle down and achieve economies of scale via cheaper models. I will keep an eye. Hope they achieve the success they deserve.
"Every Millimeter Counts"
"The best part is no part"
Good work ethic.
At $249,000 it shouldn't come as a surprise that's its very good, dismal sales numbers are simple, it's too bloody expensive and over engineered for your average joe.
Please lucid, do make right hand drive versions of your cars …and do launch them in the UK, Australia, NZ and other Asian Right hand drive markets
Plaid all the way.
Funny how the frunk keeps getting mentioned but not the trunk which is 50% smaller than a model S :))
Manipulative car reviewing
Have Top Gear been shilling for LUCID? Asking for a friend…
Amazing car
the king❤🔥❤🔥
I love engineering brands. I really want Lucid to succeed. It's what Mercedes used to be. It's what BMW used to be. Hopefully the Gravity and the volume car succeed.
Great marketing for Lucid Top Gear, along with the rake of generic bot comments
I remember the first time I got an Air GT on a twisty road and started pushing it. It immediately reminded me of a refresh Gen V Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S (minus the crossplane Ferrari V8 noises). Both cars feel like they “shrink” when you start driving them spiritedly on a good road, they both mask their weight extremely well. Honestly, as much as I tend to shit on EV’s, Lucid is the only brand I defend. What an astonishing car to drive.
I have been driving my Lucid Air GT (a mere 819hp) for two years as of this month. While it lacks the top shelf go-fast tricks of the Sapphire it does have, to my senses, a more comfortable and appealing interior. As to handling and performance, the endless list of glowing reviews and awards speak to that. I look forward to having a go sometime in the lively RWD version. At well under 1/3 of the Sapphire's price (less than a base Model S) it should be quite popular.
Top Gear – the FACTS are , Peter was NOT Chief anything at TESLA.
Peter, was VP of the Production Model S, which was left INCOMPLETE after Peter was FIRED from TESLA.
Peter , came to work on the Model S , when the Prototype was already DONE.
Peter , only worked on the Body & Chassis . NOT the Motors, Battery, Computers or Software.
Not for the price
Peter , was invited to the USA Saudi Consulate , by the Saudi President.
Peter is Khashoggi .
Nice of Top Gear to get a review in before Lucid go bankrupt.
It's all very well talking about mm and fancy diffusers etc but when it costs you over 100k more to produce the car than the car costs, it's all a bit pointless.