Are you contemplating a Lucid Air, however nervous you won’t outrun a Model S Plaid in a drag race? That won’t be an issue you probably have a large-enough checking account. Lucid has introduced a Sapphire badge dedicated to “ultra-high-performance” EVs. The first mannequin within the line, the Lucid Air Sapphire, guarantees to outperform Tesla’s Plaid automobiles in a minimum of some situations — and never simply in a straight line.

The Air Sapphire facilities round a tri-motor system (one entrance, two rear) producing over 1,200HP, topping even the no-longer-available Dream Edition. In tandem with higher cooling, the brand new powerplant reportedly delivers a 0-60MPH dash in underneath two seconds, 0-100MPH in lower than 4 seconds and a quarter-mile time under 9 seconds. You can anticipate a high velocity above 200MPH. While that is not assured to demolish a personalized Model S Plaid, that is additionally a factory-stock automobile that does not want a preconditioning interval (like Tesla’s Drag Strip Mode) to succeed in its full potential.

And sure, Lucid believes the Air Sapphire can deal with turns and twists. You can anticipate a barely wider physique to accommodate new Aero Sapphire wheels with particular Michelin tires. The motors’ torque vectoring, in the meantime, guarantees each higher turn-in whereas upgrading stability in straightaways. You also can anticipate a stiffer suspension, stiffer bushings and customized tuning for the whole lot from the antilock brake system by way of to energy steering. Range and different particulars are forthcoming.

Most of the inside modifications revolve round software program. While there’s a new visible theme and “highly bolstered” seating, the centerpiece is an up to date interface with extra performance-oriented options that embody a devoted Sapphire Mode.

None of those optimizations come low-cost, nevertheless. Lucid will ask $249,000 for the limited-run Air Sapphire, with pre-orders within the US and Canada beginning August twenty third at 9AM Eastern. That makes the $179,000 Grand Touring trim look like a relative cut price, and even Porsche’s $187,400 Taycan Turbo S is extra reasonably priced. In this class, although, bragging rights typically assist justify any premiums.

This may also characterize an essential technique swap for Lucid. The fledgling EV maker has needed to drastically lower its manufacturing targets in mild of provide chain issues, and now expects to make not more than 7,000 automobiles in 2022 as a substitute of the initially deliberate 20,000. Sapphire will arrive too late to assist this yr, nevertheless it may offset future monetary hassle by growing Lucid’s revenue from the automobiles it ships.