Electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid is launching a new luxury brand called Sapphire. According to the automaker, the new Lucid Air Sapphire is the world’s first fully electric luxury super-sports sedan and should deliver the pinnacle of electric performance.
The company’s first car, the Air, is a luxury sedan. The top model currently offered is the Lucid Air Grand Touring, and it features 1,050 horsepower and an estimated range of up to 516 miles. Not surprisingly, the Sapphire model promises even more.
“Last year, Lucid rocked the world with the launch of the Lucid Air, a fusion of unsurpassed range, efficiency, superior driving dynamics, and interior space, uniquely enabled by our in-house technology,” said Peter Rawlinson, the company’s CEO and CTO. “Sapphire represents the pinnacle of electric performance; finally achieving the performance that I’ve so long searched for.”
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The new Lucid Air Sapphire promises to be the fastest-charging electric car with the longest range, though specifics have not been shared. This luxury sedan will feature a three-motor powertrain (the first from Lucid) with a new twin motor rear-drive unit and a single motor up front. The twin rear-drive unit provides torque vectoring and more power to the rear. The system applies regenerative braking on the inside wheel while powering the outside, allowing for faster response times while cornering.
“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. “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.”
The Lucid Air Sapphire not only promises to be the most powerful electric sedan in the world, it should be the most powerful sedan – period. With more than 1,200 horsepower, the Air Sapphire accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in less than 2 seconds and from standstill to 100 mph in less than four seconds. We’re still waiting on final horsepower ratings, but that performance is absolutely bonkers.
“Sapphire is the embodiment of what ultra-high-performance luxury means to Lucid,” said Derek Jenkins, SVP of Brand and Design. “As Lucid’s dedicated ultra-high-performance brand, Sapphire references this history while setting new standards for innovation and technology.”
Different drive modes and performance settings impact multiple brake, steering, suspension and powertrain systems. The Sapphire brand is designed to be as functional as it is appealing. The aerodynamic design adds a downforce, enhancing stability at higher speeds.
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Some of the Sapphire’s performance enhancements include stiffer front and rear springs as well as correspondingly retuned bushings, unique damper settings and special tuning for the ABS, stability control, traction control and electronic power steering. The car also benefits from wider and more aggressive wheels and tires, specifically Aero Sapphire rims (265/35R20s at the front and 295/30R21s at the back). Carbon-ceramic brakes are standard, as is a track-tuned suspension.
Inside, this car features a fresh interior with 18-way power sport seats, black leather trim and Sapphire Blue stitching. Sapphire seats will come complete with massage functionality plus heating and cooling. The headrests will showcase Lucid’s bear logo. The bear is a part of the brand identity – centered around California inspiration. The introduction of Sapphire Blue paint (an exclusive color) also marks the launch of the brand.
If you like the Lucid Air Sapphire high-performance luxury sedan, the reservation books open the morning of Tuesday, August 23. The price is around $249,000 and this will be a limited-production model, so act fast if you want one.
