Lucid Air to be world’s quickest electric sedan

Californian electric vehicle start-up Lucid Motors is claiming its much-hyped Lucid Air sedan can cover quarter-mile sprint in just 9.9 seconds.

That makes it the quickest electric production sedan in the world across that distance and undercuts the 10.4sec time set by the fastest Tesla Model S with Cheetah Stance.

To back up its claim, Lucid released a video of a prototype Air clocking that time in a drag race against a Model S at Sonoma Raceway in California. It crosses the line in 9.912sec at 144.4mph (232km/h).

The video also briefly shows the Lucid Air out-dragging a Porsche Taycan, but the results of that race aren’t shown.

The Air’s best time, which Lucid says is consistently repeatable, was achieved by the top-spec dual-motor all-wheel drive model with a claimed 805kW (1080hp).

But it has hinted there could be a tri-motor version of the Air in the future, which would be even faster.

The latest Lucid claim for the Air comes just days before its September 9 global reveal in production trim. It will be in US showrooms in the second quarter of 2021.

The Lucid Air is the first model from Saudi-backed Silicon Valley-based Lucid Motors, but it has already confirmed an SUV to rival the Tesla Model X will also be launched in 2023.

Previously Lucid has claimed record-breaking aerodynamics for the Air, world’s best 832km range for its 113kWh battery pack and the fastest recharges.

“When the Lucid Air comes to market next spring, the world will see that we have developed the best electric vehicle technology possible by a wide margin and effectively created a new benchmark for EVs,” said Lucid Motors founder CEO and CTO Peter Rawlinson.

“The result is nothing short of a technological tour de force in every facet upon which a luxury performance car is measured.”

Not modest, but it’s typical of the language Rawlinson has used about the Air in recent months as he throws down the challenge to his former employer Tesla.

Lucid is hyping the 9.9sec time as a way to highlight the Air’s compact powertrain developed in-house.

Lucid has integrated the electric motor, inverter, transmission and differential into one 900V+ unit that weighs just 74kg and can fit into an airline carry-on bag.

It’s in this context Lucid reveals the Air could house up to three drive units. The obvious conclusion is it has already tried!

Each drive unit produces more than 480kW at a 30.5kW per litre power density Lucid claims is unmatched. It also claims the drive units are up to 59 per cent more powerful than the “closest competitor” (ie: Tesla Model S) and 45 per cent lighter.

The e-motors can spin up to 20,000rpm, which Lucid describes as a “significant performance advantage”. More revs potentially equals a higher top speed or lower gearing.

Key technology breakthroughs to achieve these performance efficiencies include a new motor winding technology that maximises power output and reduces electrical losses and a cooling system that removes heat from the stator winding.

The powertrain works with what Lucid calls a ‘Wunderbox’ multi-function unit that makes it compatible with different charging systems and maximises the charging rate of the Air. It also enables bidirectional charging, including vehicle to grid and vehicle to vehicle.

The compact size of the powertrain has also enabled Lucid to release “class-leading” interior and storage space including a 280-litre frunk (front trunk) – 89 per cent bigger than the Model S.

At this stage there are no concrete plans for Lucid to come to Australia, however, a Lucid spokesman told carsales “it will likely be on our roadmap in the coming years”.