Recently, the American startup Lucid presented its first Model, the Air sedan. In the words of the CEO of the company, Peter Rawlinson, this vehicle has been designed to outperform the Tesla Model S in all respects, being a higher category vehicle equivalent to a BMW 7 Series or a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
These statements are of particular interest when we consider that Rawlinson was the head of the Model S project during his time at Tesla a decade ago. The truth is that the Lucid Air has surprised the specialized press thanks to its efficiency (the use of miniaturized engines allows it to exceed 517 miles with a battery of «only» 113 kWh of capacity), to which it would be necessary to add a constructive quality that, in the absence of verification, promises to be at the level of traditional premium manufacturers.
Despite Rawlinson’s insistence that Lucid’s true rivals are Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, even going so far as to affirm that Tesla is not even a premium manufacturer, the truth is that it has been the executive himself who has not stopped comparing its products with those of the famous Californian firm.
Lucid’s release schedule is relatively similar to Tesla’s. After the Air’s launch to compete against the Model S, the startup plans to market both the Gravity SUV (2023) to face the Model X and a more contained size saloon (2024) to rival the Model 3, the best-selling electric car on the planet.
Although Lucid has already shown us some preview images of the Gravity, now its design has been leaked from the patent office, showing an aesthetic that follows the corporate language initiated by the Air. Thus, we find common elements such as the chrome trim that encompasses the front optics, the pilots attached to the tailgate’s width, and the floating C-pillar.
Unlike the Model X, the Gravity does not bet on a “coupe” type silhouette since its roofline does not drop. Its rear is entirely vertical, something that may positively affect its habitability (it will have three rows of seats) and negatively on its aerodynamics. The presence of a huge panoramic roof should also be noted. It is expected that the Gravity will take all the mechanics of the Air, so it should be distributed in five versions: Pure, Touring, Grand Touring, Dream Edition, and Performance.