Newest Tesla Model S rival revealed

The electric vehicle space will soon have another competitor in the form of Chinese-backed, US-based company Lucid Motors.

The fledgling car-maker has released details of a fierce new Tesla Model S rival, the no-so-aptly named Lucid Air, which it says will begin production out of an Arizona facility from as early as 2018.

Expect big performance and a circa-650km driving range if Lucid’s claims are anything to go by. The EV start-up, for its part, was originally founded as Atieva in 2007 and is partly staffed by former Tesla employees.

Revealed in the US today, the Air boasts a familiar liftback style design which will ensure practical cabin dimensions.

On the outside, the Air boasts a sleek profile penned by former Mazda stylist Derek Jenkins. It features obligatory large wheels, a heavily raked roofline and full-length LED headlights and tail-lights.

Its cabin boasts four sculpted seats and a large portrait-layout touch-screen similar to that in the Model S, along with minimalist switchgear presentation.

A high-set centre console mimics that of an internal combustion car with a transmission tunnel, though the Air’s propulsion will come from two electric motors – one on each axle – producing a combined output of up to 745kW.

Lucid says the standard Air will draw energy a 100kWh battery pack supplied by Samsung SDI, matching that of the flagship P100D Model S. Lucid has also assured a 130kWh pack will come, setting the stage for Tesla to up the ante before its 2018 rollout.

Acceleration times of between 2.5 seconds and three seconds are already being touted.

In addition, the Air will purportedly feature a handy 645km electric driving range., and a multi-link rear suspension set-up and clever packaging will likely ensure it’s no Prius through the corners, either.

Not surprisingly, Lucid has self-driving aspirations with its breakthrough model.

The company has also left the door open to other variants, too, including an SUV.