It’s about to fly by so fast… almost

FINALLY! Almost two years after its first announcement, we drove the 1,234-horsepower Lucid Air Sapphire in all its three-motor glory. Beware of spoilers! It did not disappoint. This EV is the ultimate in power and efficiency, setting the bar for a new class of vehicles that are as fast as they are luxurious. Watch the full video review below.

Lucid Motors continues to gain notoriety in the EV space for its industry-leading efficiency and in many cases, bonkers performance characteristics. All those features have come in just one model so far – the Air sedan.

While the American automaker is still looking to find its footing in brand recognition to boost sales of its flagship, it’s not for lack of effort. All variants of the Air sedan are impressive, offering the best in the industry, all within the stylish and luxurious 924V package.

We recently saw Lucid release its 2024 Air lineup, which now includes a RWD version of the entry-level Air Pure and a range-topping Grand Touring. We’ll save thoughts on those versions for another day (although we did run both).

Today it features the pinnacle of Lucid’s current portfolio and arguably of all mass-produced passenger EVs – the Air Sapphire. This unique tri-motor variant was first announced in the summer of 2022 with some revised performance specifications. We’re talking 0-60 mph in 1.98 seconds (from a standstill, mind you), 0-100 mph in less than 4 seconds, and a top speed of 205 mph.

If you’re wondering why that kind of acceleration is necessary, firstly, you’re an idiot, and secondly, because Lucid has the technological ability to do it. This Halo EV is a radical change – it’s not built for the average consumer (the halo costs $250k anyway), but it exists as an exercise in electric future performance.

I’d say it’s also a nod to another US EV maker (and any other automaker for that matter) saying, “That’s right, look what we can f@$king. Up there.”

It’s not my place to pick a winner in the equation, but my profession puts me in a very good position where I get to test crazy riders like the Lucid Air Sapphire and report back to you, dear readers.

If you’ve read my work in the past (excellent!), you may remember that I’ve been calling the Lucid team directly every time I’ve covered the Air Sapphire, to ask asking them to give me a chance to run it. Finally, the opportunity came my way, and I made sure to write down my true feelings when I put the accelerator to the floor for the first time… then again, and again, and again. Here are my thoughts.

The Lucid Air Sapphire is the fastest thing I’ve ever entered

We were invited to the Bay Area to visit the Lucid Motors design studio and test drive all models of the Air 2024, including the Sapphire. Although I was keen to try all the Air types, I was seriously clamoring to get into the Sapphire, and the Lucid team must have known that because they put me in that bad boy first (thanks, team).

Straight out of the parking lot, the Lucid Air Sapphire’s acceleration was undeniable—so much so that I missed my first turn on the designated route and drove about four miles down the wrong lane without even realizing it. This was a topic for me all day, and I swear I have the right navigation skills. I focused more on putting the Sapphire on the windy roads and open trails right around Half Moon Bay.

What can I say that hasn’t already been shared? Sapphire is fast? Probably the fastest… at least from what I’ve experienced. However, that’s just one simple feature of this powerful sedan. The overall ride is mercilessly smooth at any speed, from any angle, and in any of the three drive modes… as long as you know what you’re doing.

This is a car for someone with enough driving experience, both in EVs and in general. It’s a wild horse of a tool that will try to pull you away from it every time you’re not careful. I was living for it, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t stunned a few times.

As you’ll see in my video review below, the first shock gave me an immediately visible shock in my body language as I tensed and craned my neck like a turtle trying to hide. I thought the 1,111 horsepower in the Fantasy Edition was out of the ordinary when I first drove the Air in 2021, but the Lucid Sapphire edition took it to a whole other level.

Yes, I broke a few speed rules, but how could you not get an opportunity like this? Be calm, and do not spoil; I was safe. I promise. Whether stationary or already in motion, the sheer speed of this EV is unmatched, giving you the freedom to overtake any vehicle whenever you want without delay.

Aside from the acceleration, I was pleasantly surprised at how well the Sapphire handles. It’s sticky as hell, as evidenced by the miles of wet redwood-lined roads in California. The Alcantara seats and steering wheel provided plenty of comfort while driving, and you know I had those air-conditioned seats to keep my back cool during my adrenaline rush.

I found that the Sapphire chamber wasn’t as quiet as other Lucid Air models, but it wasn’t a huge difference. When I tested all three sedan models, I found myself in the lowest “Smooth” mode – that was more than enough speed for me. If you’re always running this thing in Sapphire mode, you’re either crazy or using Formula E… or both.

This is one of the rare instances in all of my drives where it’s hard to convey just how impressive the Lucid Air Sapphire is. It’s something you have to see for yourself. To aid in my demonstration of its power, I put together a short video of my experience, complete with expressions of fear, excitement, and sheer passion.

Lucid Air Sapphire available now at a price of $249,000. Here is my video for your viewing pleasure: