A lucid dream is one in which the dreamer is aware that he’s dreaming and can practice some control. This is the feeling of the teams that gave birth to the 2022 Lucid Air Dream Edition. Everything about this all-electric sedan is surprising.
How could a newbie automaker manufacture a gorgeous vehicle as their first-ever model, that delivers a shocking 1111 ponies and 471 miles of range in its Performance spec? This hard-to-believe sedan is reviewed by CarSwitch where you can buy used cars for sale in KSA.
Power Dynamics
The two electric drive units generate a power output of 670 ponies and each unit is weighed at only 163 pounds. This makes a power density of 4.1 hp per pound. The sedan is equipped with complete coaxial drive units which include a power inverter, electric motor, final-drive reduction gear, differential, and a set of embedded axle drive flanges.
Moreover, these electric units are operated by a 112 kWh battery pack which weighs a tad more than 1500 pounds.
The secret recipe to such eye-watering power, according to the automaker’s supply chain specialist, was the decision to develop and style all the powertrain components along with the battery pack in-house.
The envisioned range, power output, and efficacy of this all-electric sedan would not have been possible to achieve if other supplier-developed components were used.
Only in-house construction could pull off such design optimization. The chief engineer of Lucid, Eric Bach, summarized the unshakable philosophy by claiming that the team initiated by “targeting the limits of physics, not other vehicles.”
Read More: How is 2022 Lucid Air going to define the new EV Era!
Exterior and Interior
The desire to gain ultimate efficiency and range led to a system that runs 924 volts, which is double the voltage compared to other electric vehicles. This high voltage reduces the current and heat. The small-size motors allow sufficient space for the trunk, cabin, and drunk volume. With generous front legroom and 34 inches of floating 5k touchscreen, the interior is appealing to the eyes.
The display is an attractive centerpiece in the beautifully stunning cockpit. There’s a side mirror and touchscreen-based steering column tilt telescope adjustment layout which comes in the way of the otherwise ideal driving position.
The back legroom is almost as generous. Both GT and Dream front seats are positioned low against the battery pack. This arrangement allows the sedan to boast an elegant roofline. In the future Pure and Touring models, there is an 18 module battery instead of a 22 module pack.
During driving, the Lucid Air Dream instantly impresses with it’s surprising speed and bottomless torque. There is no reason to doubt the sedan’s power figures, whether it’s time to reach a quarter-mile in 9.9 seconds, or flash to 60 mph in only 2.5 seconds.
However, these figures were recorded by the sold-out Dream Performance model. It is expected that the 800-hp Grand Touring model will reach a quarter-mile in 11 seconds, with the Dream Range model falling in between.
Driving modes
There are three available driving modes – Sprint, Smooth, and Swift. Each mode is differentiated by its varying damper calibration, motor response, regenerative braking, and steering effort. There is more regenerative braking in Smooth mode as opposed to the Swift or Sprint.
This is because drivers in the sport mode desire control and want to feel the friction brakes. But the drivers who want a high level of regenerative braking can choose a High setting to gain a 0.30 g in any mode. This is very fun when you are driving through a narrow and tight-radius freeway.
The sedan’s front suspension is made of a multi-link style having a virtual pivot steering axis which boosts straight-line stability and steering accuracy. It’s rear suspension utilizes a varying multi-link style known as an integral link. Both suspensions lead to a straightforward bushing tuning where capability and comfort are regarded.
The electrically assisted power steering generates an unrivaled sense of straight-ahead and consistent feel even with the dissimilar effects which is characteristic of regenerative braking, power application, and friction brakes. There are steel coils under the all-electric sedan as there is no need for height adjustment.
The Smooth mode comes with Bilstein sourced DTSky dampers having independent control of compression and rebound. This is how the particular model offers a smooth ride quality.
