That is the brand new Lucid Gravity, an electrical SUV designed and constructed by the Californian producer Lucid because the second automobile in its line-up after the Lucid Air. At present on sale within the US and Canada, in addition to Switzerland, Germany, Norway, The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the Air has ensured Lucid achieved escape velocity from start-up standing. Its focus is 100 per cent on high-end merchandise that begin the place different EV specialists finish their ranges.
(Picture credit score: Lucid Motors)
Up till now, the one Lucid on sale has been the Air, a big luxurious saloon providing a twist on the basic combustion-era proportions. As an alternative of an extended bonnet and boot (or hood and trunk, maybe), the Air’s silhouette priortises the passenger cabin, with an extended wheelbase and brief overhangs. In addition to utilizing a ‘skateboard’ of batteries (the LEAP, or Lucid Electrical Superior Platform) underpinning the automobile to extend bodily scale and house, Lucid can be utilizing know-how as a manner of making a brand new type of luxurious.
Lucid Gravity inside sketch
(Picture credit score: Lucid Motors)
We spoke to Derek Jenkins, Lucid’s SVP of Model and Design, concerning the model’s strategy and the way this is likely one of the solely methods a brand-new firm can deal with the persistent hegemony of heritage and historical past that has outlined luxurious automotive design up till now. Jenkins has been at Lucid since 2015, again when the corporate was nonetheless generally known as Atieva.
Design sketches of the Gravity’s ‘frunk’-mounted seating
(Picture credit score: Lucid Gravity)
Atieva was based manner again in 2007, within the very early days of electrification, and thru a collection of acquisitions, mergers and partnerships, it will definitely emerged as Lucid Motors in late 2016. At this level, firm pivoted from supplying batteries and powertrains to creating its personal automobile. That is when the Air was first proven in idea type.
Lucid Gravity exterior sketch
(Picture credit score: Lucid Motors)
Jenkins was previously director of design at Mazda North America Operations, and earlier than that he was chief designer for Volkswagen North America, the studio that created the Scirocco idea, Ragster, Microbus idea, and Idea T. He’s additionally labored for Audi, the place he was the principal exterior designer of the cult aluminium-bodied A2 idea and manufacturing automobiles and the elegant 2002 Audi A8. Parlaying this expertise into luxurious EVs has proved an attractive problem.
Lucid Gravity exterior sketch
(Picture credit score: Lucid Motors)
Jenkins units out the 4 keystones of Lucid’s strategy to luxurious. For a begin, there’s the compact drivetrain that enables for large inner areas, not simply within the passenger cabin however within the baggage compartments. ‘Vary is our subsequent key level,’ he says, ‘it’s code for effectivity. The Air achieves 5 miles per KwH – it’s probably the most aerodynamic luxurious saloon in the marketplace.’ Subsequent up is efficiency. No surprises right here, for EVs have had an influence benefit over their ICE forebears since ceaselessly.
(Picture credit score: Lucid Motors)
That mentioned, the flagship Air, the Sapphire, has the equal of 1,234 horsepower, hits 60mph in beneath two seconds and tops out at properly over 200mph. Probably the most environment friendly Air, the Grand Touring mannequin, has a 512-mile vary. EV aficionados know full properly you can’t discover extremes of vary and efficiency on the similar time, and even in the identical mannequin, but it surely exhibits Lucid’s breadth of skill and confidence in its parts and engineering.
Lucid Air Sapphire dashboard
(Picture credit score: Lucid Motors)
Lastly, there may be luxurious. For us, ‘this implies mindfulness, sustainability, supplies and the person expertise’, says Jenkins, ‘the start line for all of this was our Californian DNA. In relation to autos, the place of birth actually issues. All nice auto manufacturers put on this on their sleeve.’
The Air’s proportions got here out of learning ‘a long time and a long time of inner combustion automobiles’. ‘Lengthy hoods symbolised extra cylinders and due to this fact extra energy,’ Jenkins explains, ‘a grille is basically an abstracted radiator. We discovered we might transfer the passengers ahead and make the cabin longer… it’s a non-traditional strategy that’s higher for house and entry.’ One other affect was aviation’s ‘golden age’, ‘from the Forties to the Nineteen Sixties, when plane have been these pure, sincere machines’, Jenkins says. Even the Air’s giant trunk opening evokes a cargo airplane.
Lucid Gravity, an electrical SUV coming in 2025
(Picture credit score: Lucid Motors)
If the Air is the last word Cali cruiser, the Gravity is presumably the SUV to beat the state’s many and various terrains and life. ‘California is a singular place,’ the designer continues, ‘it has wonderful pure geography, life-style, icons of artwork, tradition and know-how. We felt it was a extremely good bedrock to construct a model on.’ He factors out that California has lengthy been on the reducing fringe of American automobile tradition, ‘from racing and customized automobiles, to the transition to importing small automobiles after the oil disaster. Hybrid and electrification [also] have their roots in California.’
Lucid Gravity, Tahoe version inside
(Picture credit score: Lucid Motors)
Crucially, luxurious values are shifting, and Jenkins believes that Lucid is properly positioned to faucet into a brand new technology of high-end client. ‘There’s a brand new strategy to specific private success, for those who like,’ he says. ‘You see it throughout structure, interiors, well being and wellness, and many others.’ Lucid’s fashions are designed in California and inbuilt Arizona, with the manufacturing facility now expanded to incorporate the beginning of Gravity manufacturing in 2025.
Lucid Motors Tahoe version cabin
(Picture credit score: Lucid Motors)
Given the US is so SUV-centric, why begin with a sedan? ‘We debated this extensively in 2015,’ Jenkins admits. ‘We at all times knew we’d be a sophisticated know-how firm and due to this fact a luxurious model. We felt that effectivity, long-range, dealing with and efficiency have been all greatest demonstrated by a sedan.’ Nonetheless, it’s a shrinking section as patrons flip to SUVs and crossovers.
Lucid Gravity Tahoe version inside particulars
(Picture credit score: Lucid Motors)
Based on Jenkins, ‘the teachings discovered with Air have made Gravity a greater SUV’. Regardless of the infusion of Cali-culture, Jenkins admits that each autos ‘have been conceived with a powerful dose of European affect. We’re not solely taking a look at issues from an American perspective.’ In contrast to different current electrical SUVs and vans, Air and Gravity simply match into European highway infrastructure, though they’re nonetheless huge automobiles.
Lucid Gravity Tahoe version, second row seating
(Picture credit score: Lucid Motor)
Different points of Lucid’s new luxurious strategy embrace the way in which the corporate approaches its spacious interiors. Within the Air, the rear seats are trimmed a distinct shade to the entrance. ‘It creates an area that feels extra lounge-like and open,’ says Jenkins. Within the Gravity, rear seats have folding laptop computer tables, as a result of ‘folks would relatively have their very own gear, not monster screens in entrance of them [all the time].’ The Gravity can carry as much as seven folks, or the load space can haul as much as three mountain bikes, making it each wise and sybaritic. ‘It is a major family car,’ says Jenkins, ‘you want the versatile house.’
The Lucid Gravity is an expensive all-rounder
(Picture credit score: Lucid Motors)
Interiors and supplies draw inspiration from up to date furnishings design and leather-based items firms, with open-pore woods, unfussy surfaces and a sense of heat and tactility. In contrast to some rivals, Lucid isn’t going all-out with customisation choices. ‘We’ve checked out bespoke programmes,’ Jenkins says, ‘however we’ve taken the strategy of making a easy set of curated themes named after California places – Yosemite, Tahoe, Mojave and Ojai.
Lucid Gravity inside particulars
(Picture credit score: Lucid Motors)
So the place do Lucid’s prospects come from, now and sooner or later. ‘Most clearly, it’s our Californian neighbour,’ Jenkins says diplomatically. ‘Persons are prepared for one thing new. However we even have former homeowners of Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus. Shopper values are altering and persons are very aware of what a luxurious car says about them. Lucid has an aura of recent luxurious.’ Fortunately for Jenkins and his staff, this evolution has run alongside Lucid’s progress as an organization.
(Picture credit score: Lucid Motors)
Was this intentional? ‘To a level, it was a leap of religion. We had some market analysis, however we’ve undoubtedly advanced it alongside the way in which. It’s a must to make it occur,’ he says, including that Lucid will proceed to innovate and evolve. ‘In the event you have a look at the automobile trade, any time there’s an enormous tech innovation there follows a interval of fast change, and that impacts folks’s style. With all of the elevated competitors, we’re going to need to run fairly exhausting and quick to maintain issues recent.’
(Picture credit score: Lucid Motors)
Lucid Air, from $69,900 for the Air Pure mannequin to $249,000 for the Lucid Air Sapphire, LucidMotors.com, @LucidMotors
Lucid Gravity, coming quickly, particulars at LucidMotors.com
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