Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins
Listen up, people. The Lucid Air Sapphire, presented in a Sapphire Blue Metallic hue, is the most superior performance EV on the planet. You can channel yourself to the far depths of the Earth and will not find a competitor that comes close to the supreme handling capabilities, design work, battery technology, and tenets of the Lucid brand. In sports talk, the Air Sapphire is your next EV phenom.
Also, don’t forget that you can get discounted new car pricing with a free quote through qualified local dealer partners.
I first laid my eyes on the Lucid Air Sapphire at Monterey Car Week just a year ago and was enamored over its exotic silhouette and fiery capabilities. It’s beautiful in style and presentation and beastly in power, acceleration, and braking. My dream of piloting the Sapphire came to fruition recently when I took delivery of a press loaner here in Silver Spring, MD. From the first few miles I knew I had my hands on something special. The current stats of the luxury, electric, super-sports sedan are mind-boggling and read like a land speed experiment. It launches from 0-60 mph in 1.89 seconds, hits 0-100 mph in 3.87 seconds, flies up to 205 mph from 1,234 electric horsepower, and can travel an estimated 427 miles.
If you are unfamiliar with the Silicon Valley-based technology company, the Lucid Air lineup will lead to greater aspirations for you in the EV field. Lucid’s consumer focus is creating the most advanced EVs in the world that excite the senses while increasing sustainability through various environmental cycles. The Lucid Air lineup starts at $69,900 for the Air Pure and increases to $249,000 for the Air Sapphire I recently tested. In between is the $78,900 Air Touring and the $110,900 Air Grand Touring, achieving impeccable efficiency while blowing by the competition like racehorses to ponies.
Moreover, Lucid is grooming its tech-savvy, 500-acre vertically integrated Arizona manufacturing facility to begin producing Gravity SUVs. Soon, conscious car owners will have the flexibility of choosing a Lucid performance sedan and now an ultra-modern utility for their families, collectively advancing humanity’s transition to sustainable energy and mobility. Located in Casa Grande, the property will initially be able to push out 10,000 cars a year. The purpose-built greenfield also includes an established transportation system, receives strong support from state and local governments, and is situated close to critical utilities.
Stylistically, the Air Sapphire is uniquely gorgeous. Lucid’s senior vice president of design and brand, Derek Jenkins, stated that the company studied the aeronautical industry for inspiration. With a 100% aluminum architecture, the Air Sapphire is long and sits extremely low for exceptional aerodynamics. However, you must be in the mood to bend down low each time you step inside. This is not the ride you use when running errands all day. Lucid placed 14 cameras and 32 sensors around the sedan, and in the rear the largest single-piece Speedform LED taillamp in the industry flows with the clamshell-opening trunk.
Staggered 20” front and 21” rear Aero Sapphire spider rims are supported by Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires to keep the performance sedan planted during maneuvering and a carbon-ceramic braking system (16.5″ front and 15.4″ rear) abruptly stops the vehicle when called upon. The Air Sapphire also incorporates a black rooftop, an aerodynamic package with a carbon fiber rear spoiler, and pronounced, muscular wheel arches. Its track-tuned suspension features stiffer bushings and springs, unique damper settings, and special tuning for ABS, traction, and stability control. When approaching the Air Sapphire, the door handles flip up, the adaptive front headlights shine, and the carbon-fiber mirrors unfold to prepare you for entry.
Back on the road, I played with the drive modes (Smooth, Swift, Sapphire, and Track) for proper understanding of the Air Sapphire’s sophisticated performance. I thought Swift mode was amazing until I engaged Sapphire mode, and the vehicle took off like jets from runways. Wow, I couldn’t believe how instantaneously the electric torque moved us along. Sapphire alters the behavior of the suspension, steering, peak power and torque, brakes, torque vectoring, and thermal controls. I can only imagine Track mode, but I was not taking a chance on public roads. Power is produced from Lucid’s in-house triple-motor electric powertrain with two in the rear and one in the front. Energy is recouped from the 900V charging system that provides 200 miles of range in approximately 15 minutes from level 3 DC fast charging. I have a level 2 charger at my house and didn’t need public charging.
Enter the spacious cabin of the Lucid to note the exquisite materials and craftsmanship. The cozy and minimalist environment features recycled textiles and synthetics, a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel, 18-way power-massaging seats, and the intelligent Lucid UX operating system that empowers the 34” display and retractable pilot panel screen. At the same time, open-pore oakwood accentuates the Sapphire Mojave cabin. The touchscreen operates everything from the steering wheel and mirror adjustments to the 21-speaker Surreal Sound Pro audio system and 4-zone climate settings. However, the speakers need metal grilles for this level of class and sound.
Visit any Lucid Retail Studio to familiarize yourself with the brand. The lifestyle space features a lounge, display vehicles, and a 4K Virtual Reality Experience Configurator for customers to personalize their sedan from exterior hues to interior material selections, all inspired by and named after specific cities in California such as Santa Monica, Santa Cruz, and Tahoe. The closest studio to me is located inside Tysons Corner Mall in Virginia. You can also select your Lucid Air entirely online at www.LucidMotors.com.
Every major automaker plans to launch an EV within the next ten years and Lucid is in prime position for consumers looking for evolutionary change. When you include the Air Sapphire in that equation, motorsports capabilities accompany that change!
