In September, Lucid Motors introduced a performance version of its Air lineup, the Air Sapphire. The Sapphire’s recent stellar track runs provided the ideal frame for the company’s recent introduction of the production version of two downmarket Air variants: Air Pure and Air Touring.
Airs Pure and Touring aren’t as drool-worthy as the automaker’s elders, the Air Grand Touring, Air Grand Touring Performance, Air Dream Edition R and Air Dream Edition P, and of course the Sapphire. But even if the more mundane Airs don’t put on airs quite so overtly, they perform a more essential role in the overall lineup: they are the bread-and-butter models that will, Lucid hopes, help form the sales foundation for the company as it works toward filling a dealership with demographic options.
Still, Lucid is an upmarket brand — engineered to be positioned ‘above’ Tesla in the U.S. all-electric brand hierarchy — and the Pure and Touring are priced accordingly; according to a Lucid Motors press release dated last May, the entry-level Pure base stickers at $87,400, while the mid-level Touring starts at $107,400 (by way of comparison, the Air Grand Touring Performance was priced at $242K). Regarding the Air design generally: Lucid informs us that through the development of Pure and Touring, the Air is now the most aerodynamic production vehicle. How’s that for putting on Airs? Or passing effortlessly through them?
What buyers get for their ~$100K is, as the U.S. EV market is entering its early gold-rush phase, a great deal. The Air Pure will initially be offered as an AWD option with 480-horsepower on tap; it can move from 0-60 MPH in 3.8 seconds, and gives drivers 410 miles of range (EPA). Air Touring also packs two motors. Its 620-horsepower powertrain helps get it from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds, and is capable of traveling 425 miles on a full charge.
Inside, the Air Pure features Mojave PurLuxe, a blend of midcentury modern-inspired Dune fabric and imitation leather. The Touring gets carbon-neutral Nappa leather and wood accents, and an optional Glass Canopy. Both variants feature Lucid’s 18-module Long Range Battery Pack.
Deliveries for the Air Touring have already begun. The Air Pure will be in dealerships this month. Next year, the Air Pure RWD and Sapphire will be appearing, so stay tuned if you prefer RWD or the full performance Monty.
