Lucid Air Electric Car Achieves EPA Rating of 520 Miles of Range

Range is great.

Design is meh.

Pricing is insanely high.

I think it's a lot better looking than most EVs from any of the legacy automakers. 

Something about it (nose & tail) is coming off as very early '00s to me.

  On 9/16/2021 at 4:21 PM, balthazar said:

Something about it (nose & tail) is coming off as very early '00s to me.

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What EV doesn't look bad to you? What one would you allow in your driveway? (Not trying to be a dick, genuinely curious because you seen to greatly dislike most everything new and/or EV)

  On 9/16/2021 at 4:21 PM, balthazar said:

Something about it (nose & tail) is coming off as very early '00s to me.

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2000 Oldsmobile Profile concept with a light bar on front.

  On 9/16/2021 at 4:08 PM, balthazar said:

Range is great.

Design is meh.

Pricing is insanely high.

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And? It’s a luxury EV. Besides the $81K model is going to have just over 400 miles of range. That’s 100 less than the top of the line Lucid but for half the price. 

  On 9/16/2021 at 4:08 PM, balthazar said:

Range is great.

Design is meh.

Pricing is insanely high.

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Yet even the EQS cannot compete with what this has to offer at the price point.

Right now this is making Tesla and Mercedes, heck even Porsche looking pathetic when you take performance and range into consideration.

I was going to post pictures of the Tesla S Plaid, EQS and Porsche and yet the ability seems to not be working right now.

$81K is way more than I can afford but it really isn't THAT insane, considering vehicle prices these days. 

I like it for a sedan, but I will likely end up with a Rivian eventually instead

  On 9/16/2021 at 5:44 PM, ccap41 said:

What EV doesn't look bad to you? What one would you allow in your driveway? (Not trying to be a dick, genuinely curious because you seen to greatly dislike most everything new and/or EV)

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Tier 1 : Taycan is very slick- Balthy like.
Model S hasn't a thing wrong with it exterior-wise, it's just old.

Tier 2 : I like the proportions of the Lyriq, but some of the details I do not. Have to see better/more pics, but it's a 'meh' so far.
I think the Hummer is a very well-done heritage design, but it's so far outside my realm I have to jack it down.
Lucid can go in here; it's not bad, but like I said above...
I like the Rivian's exterior other than the front- that's a no-go for me, but I wouldn't call it 'bad'.

Not much else worth commenting on. F-150 Lightning is just an altered F-150, it doesn't really 'qualify' as a 'BE design'.

- - - - - 
Oh; no foreign vehicles allowed (to live) in my driveway.
So tho from the design perspective I'd rate the Taycan #1, (even disregarding the price), I wouldn't own one.
I could live with a Rivian as far as looks go, but the current body configuration is of no use to me.

  On 9/16/2021 at 9:39 PM, balthazar said:

Tier 1 : Taycan is very slick- Balthy like.
Model S hasn't a thing wrong with it exterior-wise, it's just old.

Tier 2 : I like the proportions of the Lyriq, but some of the details I do not. Have to see better/more pics, but it's a 'meh' so far.
I think the Hummer is a very well-done heritage design, but it's so far outside my realm I have to jack it down.
Lucid can go in here; it's not bad, but like I said above...
I like the Rivian's exterior other than the front- that's a no-go for me, but I wouldn't call it 'bad'.

Not much else worth commenting on. F-150 Lightning is just an altered F-150, it doesn't really 'qualify' as a 'BE design'.

- - - - - 
Oh; no foreign vehicles allowed (to live) in my driveway.
So tho from the design perspective I'd rate the Taycan #1, (even disregarding the price), I wouldn't own one.
I could live with a Rivian as far as looks go, but the current body configuration is of no use to me.

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Could a Rivian R1S perhaps be a useful conveyance for Mrs. Balth (price aside).

Pretty sure that would be outside her comfort zone, size-wise.

And although that clock is ticking, she still has to take her mother to appointments, a person who would never be able to climb up into an SUV.

I think once said clock stops, she may seriously consider getting back into a Mustang.
 

  On 9/16/2021 at 9:50 PM, balthazar said:

Pretty sure that would be outside her comfort zone, size-wise.

And although that clock is ticking, she still has to take her mother to appointments, a person who would never be able to climb up into an SUV.

I think once said clock stops, she may seriously consider getting back into a Mustang.
 

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What's the opinion on the Mustang Mach E then?

  On 9/16/2021 at 9:34 PM, Drew Dowdell said:

I like it for a sedan, but I will likely end up with a Rivian eventually instead

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The Rivian definitely intrigues me if I ever get in the market for a pick up.

  On 9/16/2021 at 4:21 PM, balthazar said:

Something about it (nose & tail) is coming off as very early '00s to me.

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yes.

I said this about the Lucid air a while back

  On 2/21/2021 at 6:53 PM, oldshurst442 said:

 

Ah...yes!  I see (GM) Oldsmobile W-Body written all over it now that youve mentioned it.  

I also see 4rth gen Trans Am from the side profile.  (Dont ask.  Explaination in the random thoughts thread...)

All in all, Lucid Air could easily pass off as a General Motors product of the 1990s that has evolved to today.  The rounded aerodynamic body lines. The C Pillars.  The rounded front and rear quarter panels.  GM products from the late 1980s to the early 2000s all had that kind of styling.  

Yeah...I feel right at home when looking at the Lucid Air.  I like it a lot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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  On 2/21/2021 at 5:54 AM, oldshurst442 said:

I figured out why I like the Lucid Air as much as I do.

The C Pillar and rounded rear quarter panel remind me of a 4rth gen F-Body Firebird. Even if the rear quarter panel is soooo short on the Lucid and sooooo long on the Pontiac. 

The rake of the front windshields of both vehicles also seems to be the same angle which also lends to my illusion of sameness and hence why I like the Lucid Air...because I LOVE the 4rth gen F-Body.  Its just a 4 door (EV) Trans Am in my eyes. 

OK...maybe its a far fetched figment of my imagination.  But its still MY personal fantasy produced by MY brain that WAS NOT elicited by the use of recreational drugs, but from MY awesome natural intellect, mental capacity and wit. 

(Should I go with a smug emogi to show how my intelligence is somehow superior to yours?   

Or should I go with a hipster dufus emogi cheering to show how "innocent" I may be in the "real world"? )

Maybe Ill just go with a laughy emogi to show that this post is serious and funny at the same time instead! 

 

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  On 9/16/2021 at 10:07 PM, Drew Dowdell said:

What's the opinion on the Mustang Mach E then?

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(not a real Mustang)   would probably be the answer... 

  On 9/16/2021 at 10:07 PM, Drew Dowdell said:

What's the opinion on the Mustang Mach E then?

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Oh yeah; the Mach-E. Me; I think it looks pretty good- for a sports-inspired SUV I’d put it in Tier 1.
Not sure what the missus thinks of it- I pointed it out to her but she didn’t have more than a ‘it’s cute’ response.

She really doesn’t seem interested in a BE vehicle.

Asking…

She says the front (Mach-E) ‘looks generic’ but she likes the rear. Told it’s $43K to start, no real reaction. Wasn’t aware it was electric (upon seeing the pic). When asked if she’d consider one, she said yeah; she’d look at it. When asked if she’d rather this or a Mustang coupe, she said ‘Oh yeah; the coupe’.
I told her she’d have to plug it in every other night and she said ‘Oh God, I’d never get anywhere!’ [note; she’s been home from work for about 2.5 hrs, and I just reminded her for the 2nd time her cell is still locked in her car.]

  On 9/16/2021 at 11:12 PM, balthazar said:

She says the front (Mach-E) ‘looks generic’ but she likes the rear. Told it’s $43K to start, no real reaction. Wasn’t aware it was electric (upon seeing the pic). When asked if she’d consider one, she said yeah; she’d look at it. When asked if she’d rather this or a Mustang coupe, she said ‘Oh yeah; the coupe’.
I told her she’d have to plug it in every other night and she said ‘Oh God, I’d never get anywhere!’ [note; she’s been home from work for about 2.5 hrs, and I just reminded her for the 2nd time her cell is still locked in her car.]

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Her commute is that long?

she may say she wants a mustang, but  in my observation of women of a particular generation… they say that but end up in a small to mid-size crossover anyway for practicality reasons.

She had one years back, then 5 sedans since. She says she doesn't care for SUV / CUVs.
That certainly could change if she test drove a bunch (sorry, online sales outlets!).

She's wistfully mentioned the Mustang coupe over the years. We test-sat in one around 10 years ago & she really liked that (a number of generations since hers). Our practicality reasons have narrowed to just her mother upon occasion, so we don't need more than a coupe for her.

Her commute is about 45-50 miles/day, tho she just restarted 3 days in / 2 days home this week (which was discontinued in March 2020).

It has awesome range and horsepower, average styling and interior and it costs too much.  And doesn't have a dealer or service network, probably will be hard to find parts if it is involved in an accident.  I like that interior more than a Tesla with the yoke steering wheel, but the Tesla looks better on the outside I think.

I also thought it was interesting that the 730 hp EQS is badged "53" because AMG always does a "63" so there must be more coming.

^ I agree that the exterior isn't a game changer, but disagree; the interior fits the 'luxury' bill fine.
 

  On 9/17/2021 at 1:23 AM, smk4565 said:

730 hp EQS is badged "53" because AMG always does a "63" so there must be more coming.

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What needs to be "coming" is an emergency redesign of the entire exterior.

  On 9/17/2021 at 2:08 AM, balthazar said:

^ I agree that the exterior isn't a game changer, but disagree; the interior fits the 'luxury' bill fine.
 

What needs to be "coming" is an emergency redesign of the entire exterior.

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Wind tunnel is a factor, which I think they need to throw out the window.  Also their lead designer says traditional 3 box sedans will die with EV's because of how thick the floor is with the battery, it makes the vehicle taller and the sedan look doesn't work.  Although I am not a fan of jelly bean cars.

  On 9/17/2021 at 2:13 AM, smk4565 said:

their lead designer says traditional 3 box sedans will die with EV's

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Uh-huh. 
 

0.20 .cd; same at the pregnant whale EQS.

That terrarium interior would get insanely hot in AZ....and isn't it built there? 

  On 9/17/2021 at 2:08 AM, balthazar said:

What needs to be "coming" is an emergency redesign of the entire exterior.

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All of this!!

  On 9/17/2021 at 12:20 PM, Robert Hall said:

That terrarium interior would get insanely hot in AZ....and isn't it built there? 

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Yes it is and I think you know the answer to that. Hell yes, it'll be hot but at least there you can legally have an "Arizona" tint on your car to mitigate some of that heat. You also know that some folks don't seem to care there either. My cousin had a loaded BLACK Tahoe with a BLACK leather interior that hardly ever spent time in her garage. Some folks are just nuts there lol, us my point. That interior will not stop most potential buyers there.

  On 9/17/2021 at 1:16 PM, surreal1272 said:

All of this!!

Yes it is and I think you know the answer to that. Hell yes, it'll be hot but at least there you can legally have an "Arizona" tint on your car to mitigate some of that heat. You also know that some folks don't seem to care there either. My cousin had a loaded BLACK Tahoe with a BLACK leather interior that hardly ever spent time in her garage. Some folks are just nuts there lol, us my point. That interior will not stop most potential buyers there.

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Doesn't like there is any provision for a sunshade either..  yeah, I remember having the dark tint on cars when I lived there. 

  On 9/16/2021 at 9:39 PM, balthazar said:

Tier 1 : Taycan is very slick- Balthy like.
Model S hasn't a thing wrong with it exterior-wise, it's just old.

Tier 2 : I like the proportions of the Lyriq, but some of the details I do not. Have to see better/more pics, but it's a 'meh' so far.
I think the Hummer is a very well-done heritage design, but it's so far outside my realm I have to jack it down.
Lucid can go in here; it's not bad, but like I said above...
I like the Rivian's exterior other than the front- that's a no-go for me, but I wouldn't call it 'bad'.

Not much else worth commenting on. F-150 Lightning is just an altered F-150, it doesn't really 'qualify' as a 'BE design'.

- - - - - 
Oh; no foreign vehicles allowed (to live) in my driveway.
So tho from the design perspective I'd rate the Taycan #1, (even disregarding the price), I wouldn't own one.
I could live with a Rivian as far as looks go, but the current body configuration is of no use to me.

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Thanks. I was jsut curious as it seemed like any EV you dogged hard for its looks (and of course price - which I completely agree with).

I dig the Rivians. They're quirky but they don't feel like they're quirky just to be quirky, like most EVs. 

The Taycan has grown on me. It originally just seemed awkward but I really like it now. 

  On 9/17/2021 at 2:13 AM, smk4565 said:

Wind tunnel is a factor,

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Lucid and Tesla have done the same and well... they don't look like the crop of electric Mercedes coming out. 

  On 9/17/2021 at 1:16 PM, surreal1272 said:

My cousin had a loaded BLACK Tahoe with a BLACK leather interior that hardly ever spent time in her garage. Some folks are just nuts there lol, us my point. That interior will not stop most potential buyers there.

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There were so many black SUVs in the Phoenix area.  I bought one..my Jeep..but I did get the black & cream interior.  My Jeep just has the factory window tint, not Arizona tint (it was only in AZ a short time, having come from So Cal).   I remember a coworker that had an FJ Cruiser and a Highlander, both black w/ black interiors... 

Found this on a Lucid Forum to be of interesting Context for the all glass roof on Rivian and Lucid auto's.

A Rivian “guide” (personal sales representative) answered a series of questions posed by a Rivian reservation holder. Some of the answers possibly shed light on some issues that have been raised about Lucid Airs and might help us understand what could be going on at Lucid on these matters.

Electrochromic Dimming Glass

The technology required for curved glass was too expensive at present. The Rivian glass roof will not have a retractable shade, but Rivian is using a tint that actually blocks more light than electrochromic glass – less than 2% of the total spectrum gets through. (Lucid is making similar claims about the performance of their tint in southwest desert conditions.)

Interesting Tech Piece | Lucid Owners - Lucid Motors Forum

Then we have a .21 coefficient of drag which makes me think that Mercedes took the easy way out of designing the ugly jelly bean look of the EQS.

Lucid Air | Lucid Motors

Watch the auto run videos here where you see that the glass roof seems to be electrochromic glass as it darkens or maybe just the way they video'd. They do state the following which makes me think they are taking a tint approach like Rivian.

Quote:

Glass Canopy

A roof with a view.

Lucid Air | Design | Lucid Motors

Lucid

Tesla

Porsche

Mercedes

Even Audi e-tron sedan that is coming to market and pretty much a Porsche with a redesign on the front is better looking than the EQS.

I would honestly take an Audi or Porsche over these other cars from a exterior design standpoint, but like @balthazar has stated only American auto's in my driveway.

But everyone knows I am an SUV/Truck man, so either Rivian, GM or Ford at this point.

So this is my options:

With Pictures uploading again, I added the few Interior images to the picture folder for those wanting a detailed view of the inside of the Lucid.

From the above list, my exterior aesthetics list in order of favorite to least favorite...

1: Porsche

2: Audi

2B: Tesla

2C: Lucid

Large Gap

5: Mercedes

  On 9/17/2021 at 5:56 PM, ccap41 said:

From the above list, my exterior aesthetics list in order of favorite to least favorite...

1: Porsche

2: Audi

2B: Tesla

2C: Lucid

 

Large Gap

 

5: Mercedes

 

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Be interesting to see if Cadillac ever adds an electric car. I kind of doubt it at this time as I think this is a shrinking field of desire. I think Cadillac did right with the Lyriq.

  On 9/17/2021 at 5:56 PM, ccap41 said:

From the above list, my exterior aesthetics list in order of favorite to least favorite...

1: Porsche

2: Audi

2B: Tesla

2C: Lucid

 

Large Gap

 

5: Mercedes

 

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FYI, Laughing is due to the Large Gap comment.  

  On 9/17/2021 at 6:08 PM, David said:

Be interesting to see if Cadillac ever adds an electric car. I kind of doubt it at this time as I think this is a shrinking field of desire. I think Cadillac did right with the Lyriq.

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I think the Celistiq is intended to have a car-like form. 

  On 9/17/2021 at 2:13 AM, smk4565 said:

Wind tunnel is a factor, which I think they need to throw out the window.  Also their lead designer says traditional 3 box sedans will die with EV's because of how thick the floor is with the battery, it makes the vehicle taller and the sedan look doesn't work.  Although I am not a fan of jelly bean cars.

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The overall shape of a vehicle has little to do with the drag coefficient. A 1998 Lexus LS or MB E-Class is 0.27. A 1998 Miata is 0.38, 97 Celica GTS is 0.37. Both the Miata and Celica have higher drag coefficients than a 2011 Sienna at 0.309
 

One of the worst is the G-Class at 0.53 and is only beaten for last place by a Wrangler soft top with the top off at 0.58

  On 9/17/2021 at 6:08 PM, David said:

Be interesting to see if Cadillac ever adds an electric car. I kind of doubt it at this time as I think this is a shrinking field of desire. I think Cadillac did right with the Lyriq.

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They'll have to do a sedan, unless they too will be an SUV only brand.

  On 9/17/2021 at 5:56 PM, ccap41 said:

From the above list, my exterior aesthetics list in order of favorite to least favorite...

1: Porsche

2: Audi

2B: Tesla

2C: Lucid

 

Large Gap

 

5: Mercedes

 

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EQS will probably outsell all of them globally.  Although I am not a fan of the EQS or EQE looks, I much prefer the S-class or E-class looks.

1. Audi E-Tron GT

Of course in the most conspicuous paint theme possible. 

If I ever had more money than God...  (why God???!!! Why do we say God...we SHOULD be saying the Devil...) Id buy this, and do a Tesla drivetrain, hardware and software swap on this...  A GM Ultium swap wouldnt be a bad idea either. 

2.   TIED

A)  Lucid Air

Very Oldsmobile-ish

Very 1990s early 2000s.  Which I feel very comfortable with.

For how long tho?  

B)

Even though I feel that the Model S is loooong in the tooth. I feel because of the lack of nice designs in the EV word yet, the Model S still stands out as a looker. 

With the little lip crease they did in the front, it pops just enough to look fresh. The back end needs a LOT of help. It hasnt been refreshed and it desperately needs it.   

Its like the Dodge Challenger.  Its an old design.  But it still works.  But for how much longer?  

3.  TIED

A)  Porsche Taycan

and

B) Hummer EV SUV

The Porsche is in 3rd place because I have gotten tired of the front end so soon. I think its because its got the Porsche family face on it and Im tired of seeing it. The ONLY car I like seeing that face is on the 911.  

The Hummer is not a vehicle Id be comfortable be seen in. Its NOT because of the 'phoque you' styling of it. But because of the SHEER size of it. I LOVE the fact that is a TRUCK of THAT magnitude. Its just that its a truck of that magnitude...   Not my style.  GREAT for an Arnold Swartzennegar,   or a Conor McGregor. Not for me.  Still LOVE the truck though. 

4) Custom Look Mustang Mach E GT

For an SUV...  I could go for this.  It doesnt got the presence and size of the Hummer.  But its got a certain sizzle that I would feel good about being inside it telling the world:  "hey...look what I got!   Yeah...its a Mustang! Got a problem???!!!  No! it got no V8! Its tall, 4 doors and its electric...  And best thing yet! Its a FORD!  Put THAT in your pipe and smoke it!" 

I like the E-Tron GT, but if I got a new Audi I'd go for the RS6...

  On 9/16/2021 at 6:08 PM, Drew Dowdell said:

2000 Oldsmobile Profile concept with a light bar on front.

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BINGO!  i was going to say this Lucid is just a stolen GM design idea.  And i was thinking Olds also.

  On 9/17/2021 at 10:29 PM, smk4565 said:

EQS will probably outsell all of them globally.  Although I am not a fan of the EQS or EQE looks, I much prefer the S-class or E-class looks.

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That's unfortunate that they'll be rewarded for the ungodly looks, but I do agree that it'll likely sell the best. 

  On 9/17/2021 at 10:29 PM, smk4565 said:

EQS will probably outsell all of them globally.  Although I am not a fan of the EQS or EQE looks, I much prefer the S-class or E-class looks.

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I would not bet on this as while badge snobs will take it due to the MB logo, customers are showing they are not willing to be as loyal as some people think they are. 

Example is that Hardcore Apple Fans have lined up for the less than inspiring Apple 13 phone, but it is not selling like past phones and Samsung has clearly surpassed phone sales compared to Apple.

Every Dog has their day and then the Flees bite. The style could turn off many as other Luxury options in this class surpass in exterior style alone.

Lucid has announced that their Dream Drive Pro will be the first auto use of Lidar for true autonomous driving. The video is worth watching, very cool system and way better than Tesla IMHO.

The full reveal: DreamDrive. | Lucid Motors

I'd have to rank them like this:

1) Audi eTron GT

2) Audi eTron GT ?

3) Lucid Air

4) Porsche Taycan (tie)

4) Tesla Model S (tie)

6) Mercedes EQS

I really, really like the look of that Audi.  The proportions and styling of that car really do it for me.

I also am a big fan of both the Rivian and the Hummer.  I don't think the Mustang Mach-e looks that bad either.  Someone in my neighborhood had a cyber orange GT parked in their driveway when I went for my lunch time walk yesterday and it didn't look half bad. Truth be told, the only one of these that would have even the smallest chance of ever winding up in my driveway is the Rivian.  Maybe a Lyriq if that back end ever grows on me.