New York show: Lucid reveals production-ready Air EV

AMERICAN EV start-up Lucid has revealed its production-ready Air sedan, which is set for a public debut at the New York motor show in April.

If the name sounds familiar, it is because the original Air prototype was first revealed in late 2016, designed by former Audi and Mazda designer Derek Jenkins and developed by a team with a history of Model S development.

Now ready for production, the Air sedan features a fearsome zero-emissions powertrain available in two levels of specification, which are sure to capture the attention of Tesla.

The entry-level version employs a 75kWh battery pack sourced from Samsung and electric motor that powers the rear wheels, producing 298kW/600Nm and allowing a driving range of around 386km.

Stepping up to the more powerful variant increases battery capacity to 130kWh, while the dual-motor powertrain can punch out a fearsome 743kW while sporting 644km of range.

The more powerful version will do the zero-to-60mph (97km/h) sprint in just 2.5 seconds, while top-speed tests from the brand have yielded staggering results of 378km/h.

Ride comfort comes courtesy of air springs at all four corners, with adaptive dampers allowing for variable ride settings.

With no internal-combustion powertrain to speak of, the Air maximises space with seating for five, and what it claims is “class-leading legroom”.

Buyers can also option the four-seat ‘executive seating’ layout, which includes two rear captain’s chairs that can recline up to 55 degrees.

An expansive panoramic sunroof provides a light, open atmosphere, while digital screens on the instrument cluster and upper dashboard are joined by a third, portrait-style screen on the lower dashboard.

A connected smartphone app works with the car to organise owners’ preferences, and can perform functions like pre-conditioning the climate control and lining up preferred music.

Autonomous driving technologies will be included on the Air, with Lucid not revealing the exact details but saying it will feature over-the-air updates that will, over time, allow greater and greater levels of autonomy.

Exterior styling of the production version largely mirrors the prototype, with LED headlights, alloy wheels up to 21 inches in size, two-tone roof, and slim lighting signatures.

Lucid is targeting full-scale production of the Air at its Arizona factory before the end of the year, with GoAuto contacting the brand to see whether the Air is destined for Australia.