Road test | Lucid Air: Much more than a response to Tesla

How to compete with Tesla? This question guides many strategic plans of manufacturers in the energy transition phase. The young American manufacturer Lucid, who is led by the former chief engineer of the Tesla Model S, is betting on the technical prowess of his large Air sedan to fuel rivalry and ensuring his progressive breakthrough in Canada. We have noticed how this ambitious Californian manages to swap her sandals against boots with large crampons.

Sound design

Before we even take place on board, we see how Lucid managed to breathe a rare plume into this air. Spreading dimensions almost identical to those of the Model S, his drawing is much more remarkable. This observation, it is largely owed to these diodes which pierce a thin slit in front of this 2.2 m wide and almost 5 m wide. This affirms his presence, with the very beautiful uninterrupted roof arc in side plan, for aerodynamic considerations. There is a little Citroën DS in this separation of the rear pillars of the wings. This object also pierces the air with immense efficiency, boasting of having a draft coefficient of 0.197, the best among production cars. Note, however, the use of a motorized access hatch to the recharge port which may be wrong with an episode of ice.

On board

The interior presentation is purified, but still lets the subjects express themselves. Thus the use of recycled textiles in various places bordering wooden moldings cultivates a very elegant mid-Century atmosphere and leather furniture is well arranged. Admittedly, it is not a flawless everywhere, since certain details of finish of the doors swear a bit, but the assembly seems very solid. Thanks to the dug floor, the interior volume is exceptional, eclipiding many more imposing SUVs. All seats have a generous space, particularly at the rear where the doors open at 90 degrees to promote accessibility. The smallness of the engines also makes it possible to existence a deep before (283 L) compartment. The rear trunk lid opens for its part on the full width of the car to access a large hold of 622 L. Its very low configuration, however, complicates its accessibility.

Under the hood

The Touring Director Test on the test is the most affordable twoff variant of the air. It is also by the very fact the most popular livery among Quebec buyers. With 620 hp in total, it spreads performance that is not a mid -range version. The 0-100 km/h sprint is carried out in 3.6 s with the initial assistance launched which ensures constancy in motor skills, regardless of weather conditions. The 92 kWh battery also supports a theoretical maximum autonomy of 653 km, without requiring excessive charging times. That said, the system has difficulty assessing the autonomy feasible in cold weather before hitting the road: it decreased much faster than the promises of departure. The 470 km that we have been able to achieve in freezing weather, nevertheless expose its exceptional efficiency under these conditions.

Behind the steering wheel

But beyond the pure performance that will satisfy even the most demanding, it is the platform of this sedan that steals the show. Peter Rawlinson, the one who led the brand until recently, is also an elder from Lotus, a British manufacturer recognized for its brilliant way of developing chassis. We perceive this expertise in the elegance of its adaptive damping, which gives immense confidence in this curve sedan. The movements are reduced to a minimum and we feel a desire to both involve the driver with an incisive direction and spare the passengers on the low -body roads. This virtuosity is exceptional for a 2.9 -ton vehicle. Its low roof line and thick pillars, however, hinder visibility during the exercise.

Embedded technologies

The engineers have chosen to marry digital here to certain touch keys, but the dosage is a bit uneven. Thus, we can control the volume of certain climatization heating controls independently of the multimedia system, but the locking of the doors, the adjustment of the mirrors and the steering column is made by various menus accessible by means of a beautiful definition touch screen in front of the central console. It is unnecessarily complex and laborious. That said, the system in itself is intuitive and of a remarkable speed, but the features remain limited. The trial copy in parallel presented important bugs when setting up navigation applications Waze And Google Maps In Carplay, something that reflects the complexity of developing such a system and the need to improve it continuously.

The verdict

Lucid Air is an exceptional car. Refined, endowed with a prodigious power and spectacular autonomy, it also treats its dynamism with a superb chassis which breathes a soul, a extremely rare observation for an electric vehicle. Its very spacious interior is carefully assembled in addition to having a tremendous versatility. All this, at a high competitive price when weave direct comparisons with the rare rivals of this select segment. Certain questionable and failed ergonomic choices of software nevertheless expose the vagaries associated with the development of a vehicle so complex made independently of the car giants. If you agree to live with these drawbacks as well as with a network of workshops for the moment very limited, its qualities amply compensate for risks, in rental context.