Once again, the Lucid Air Sapphire has emerged as a finalist in the prestigious AutoMotorMart Best Car To Buy awards, overcoming initial logistical challenges that nearly excluded it from the competition.
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV Review
Initially, we were informed just before the commencement of the AutoMotorMart Best Car To Buy 2024 testing that the Lucid Air Sapphire, scheduled for track evaluation, wouldn’t be available due to unexpected issues. Consequently, we decided to eliminate this remarkably swift electric vehicle from the contest.
However, after spending a day experiencing the Lucid Air Sapphire, which now sets the standard for fast sedans, Senior Editor Kirk Bell and I concurred that its exclusion was not an option. The question now is: Can the Lucid Air Sapphire, following the Air Dream Edition’s near miss in 2020, clinch the title of AutoMotorMart Best Car To Buy 2024?
Lucid Air Sapphire
The Lucid Air Sapphire, equipped with three electric motors, boasts a staggering combined output of 1,234 horsepower and 1,430 lb-ft of torque. It also impresses with its range, thanks to a 118-kwh battery pack that provides an EPA-estimated 427 miles.
In terms of performance, the Air Sapphire is unparalleled among the competition’s history. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in just 1.9 seconds, reaches 100 mph in 3.8 seconds, and completes a quarter-mile in 9.0 seconds at 158 mph, eventually hitting a top speed of 205 mph.
Beyond its headline-grabbing speed, the Air Sapphire astounds with its cornering capabilities. It seamlessly manages power distribution with one motor on the front axle and two on the rear, subtly controlling the car’s rotation through turns without the driver’s awareness. Despite its hefty weight of 5,336 pounds, it performs admirably as a sports sedan.
While standard Air models handle well, the Sapphire variant elevates to a genuine sports sedan level. This is due to its revamped suspension, firmer bushings, adjusted control arms and knuckles for increased camber, and stiffer springs with retuned dampers, ensuring a smooth, controlled ride even at high speeds.
The brakes have been upgraded to match the vehicle’s substantial weight and speed capabilities, featuring large carbon-ceramic rotors and robust calipers, which exhibit remarkable resistance to wear even under extreme conditions.
Lucid Air Sapphire
The Air Sapphire maintains most features of the other models in the range, with both advantages and drawbacks. The sleek roofline can make entry and exit a bit challenging, and we encountered some minor software glitches. The switch to a metal roof from glass, while reducing weight and interior heat, sacrifices some of the futuristic aesthetic.
On the track, the Air Sapphire’s performance is noteworthy but limited. In its Sapphire mode’s Hot Lap setting, it can sustain only a few laps at full power before needing to reduce output. The Endurance mode offers longer track time but at a reduced power of 767 hp. After intense use, the vehicle requires a significant cooling and recharging period.
Will the Lucid Air Sapphire, an American-manufactured electric super sedan, triumph in this competition against a diverse range of formidable contenders? The winner will be announced on January 3, along with the winners from our affiliate sites, The Car Connection and Green Car Reports.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lucid Air Sapphire
What makes the Lucid Air Sapphire a finalist for AutoMotorMart’s Best Car To Buy 2024?
The Lucid Air Sapphire stands out due to its impressive performance, featuring three electric motors with a combined output of 1,234 hp and 1,430 lb-ft of torque. It also offers a significant range of 427 miles per charge and exceptional track capabilities, including a 0-60 mph acceleration in just 1.9 seconds.
How does the Lucid Air Sapphire’s performance compare in the history of AutoMotorMart’s competition?
The Lucid Air Sapphire sets a new benchmark in the competition’s history with its unparalleled performance stats, including 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds, a quarter-mile in 9.0 seconds at 158 mph, and a top speed of 205 mph, making it the most powerful and quickest finalist ever.
What are the key features of the Lucid Air Sapphire’s design and build?
The Lucid Air Sapphire features a sophisticated design with a focus on high performance. It includes an upgraded suspension system, carbon-ceramic brakes, and power distribution managed by three electric motors. The car’s sleek design is complemented by a metal roof, offering a balance between aesthetics and functionality.
How does the Lucid Air Sapphire handle on the track?
On the track, the Lucid Air Sapphire demonstrates impressive handling and cornering abilities, thanks to its advanced power distribution and suspension tuning. However, its performance mode allows only a few laps at full power before requiring cooling and recharging.
What are some potential drawbacks of the Lucid Air Sapphire?
While the Lucid Air Sapphire excels in performance, it has a few drawbacks, such as the sleek roofline making cabin access somewhat challenging and occasional software glitches. Additionally, its track performance is limited to a few laps in full power mode before needing a cooldown period.
More about Lucid Air Sapphire
- Lucid Motors Official Website
- AutoMotorMart’s Best Car To Buy Awards
- Electric Vehicle Performance Statistics
- High-Performance Electric Sedans
- Track Performance of Electric Vehicles
- Advanced Electric Vehicle Technology
5 comments
It’s great seeing more electric options coming up, but the track limitations are a bit of a letdown, hope they improve that in future models.
Kinda curious about the handling, with that weight, must be tough to maneuver, but seems like Lucid’s done a good job
wow the Lucid Air Sapphire sounds insane, 0 to 60 in 1.9 secs? thats crazy fast for an electric car, cant wait to see it on the roads!
I’m impressed with the range, 427 miles is pretty good, but the roof change, not sure if i like the metal over glass, glass looked cooler
Heard about the software glitches, they really need to fix that, especially if its a contender for best car, reliability is key