Lucid has shown the first image of the new mid-range SUV

American automaker Lucid has revealed its new mid-size SUV at its technology and manufacturing day, albeit only in the form of a dark teaser image. The new model is said to be significantly cheaper than the current luxury models, and it will hit the market in 2026.

The third Lucid model, following the Air and luxury SUV Gravity, which will be launched in 2025, will "take advantage of the efficiency and cost advantages of Lucid technology and achieve the same range as the competition with a smaller battery". Production is expected to begin in late 2026. Prices will start at $50.000. So the car will be about $20.000 cheaper than the Air model, which starts at $69.900 in the US, and about $30.000 less than the Gravity model, which Lucid is asking for at least $80.000.

Lucid Gravity

The trailer image shows a similar simplistic silhouette to the Gravity: the windshield is pretty flat, the side windows are pretty small, the wheels are big, and the front has Lucid written in block letters. The engine cover is clearly more strongly shaped than the Gravity model, and the design of the rear roof pillar is also different: while the beltline of the Gravity model is strictly horizontal, it is pulled upwards on the new model. Overall, the model looks a bit sportier than the Gravity. The car would likely be a premium alternative to Tesla's Model Y, which also falls into the mid-range segment but starts at $31.490 in the US. However, price comparison is not necessary until drives and batteries are known. Since the base Air is rear-wheel drive, the mid-range model (like the Model Y) will probably only have one engine in base form. Power could be around 250 to 300 kW - the Y Long Range RWD model has 255 kW.

Lucid Gravity

According to EV-Database, the Air Pure uses a 92-kWh battery with a range of up to 747 kilometers. The battery in the new model will be smaller, but will have the same range as the competition. This probably means the car won't go as far as the Air, but it will be more on par with the Tesla. The Y Long Range RWD with 19-inch tires reaches exactly 600 km according to the WLTP standard. According to Lucid, the new model will be powered by a new powertrain called the Atlas. The term drive unit usually refers to the motor, inverter and gearbox, often housed in the same housing. The drive unit is currently under development.

Compared to the competition, it is said to offer higher power density, higher peak power and lower cost per kW. The small size should also allow for more interior space. It is also designed for more economical operation, which allows for a longer range or a smaller battery. This also includes a proprietary software stack designed to exploit the full potential of the hardware. It includes powertrain control with features such as torque vectoring, traction control and battery management. Speaking of software, all Lucid models are constantly updated with over-the-air updates. The latest update, called Lucid UX 2.4, was released this week and offers, among other things, an improved version of the optional Dream Drive Pro assistance package, a new voice control system and an updated navigation map design.

Lucid Air and Lucid Gravity

Otherwise, Lucid emphasized the gravity. The car is "the best SUV ever", Lucid boss Peter Rawlinson said, praising the fuel-efficient powertrain. Production of the Gravity model will begin this year, according to Lucido. In 2025, the model is expected to be equipped with a NACS charging port, i.e. connectors for Tesla vehicles in the US. This will give access to more than 15.000 Superchargers. All that is said about the technology is that the innovations will be carried over from the Air model.

According to the website, the model will offer up to 700 km of range, four-wheel drive, up to 800 hp (588 kW) and a sprint time of less than 3,5 seconds. Like the Air, this model will also have a 900-volt architecture for very fast charging with a power of up to 300 kW. The website also lists the dimensions of the Gravity model, which were not revealed when it was launched in November. According to these, the Gravity is about five centimeters longer than the Air model, and the wheelbase is about eight centimeters longer. Above all, the SUV is 14 cm higher. Regarding deliveries, Lucid announced that it has already delivered more cars in the first eight months of this year than in the entire year of 2023, i.e. more than 6.001 units (with 8.428 vehicles produced). This means that the target of 9.000 deliveries for the whole year will be achieved if sales continue as before.