California-based electric vehicle (EV) startup Lucid Motors is getting closer to a full reveal of its second model, the Gravity SUV.
The company has announced US customers will get the chance to spot a Gravity prototype as it begins testing and development on public roads there.
Lucid has released spy-style images of the Gravity wearing a space-themed camouflage wrap in track testing. It previously teased the vehicle undisguised late last year.
Still withholding technical specifications of the Gravity, Lucid has said that the SUV will have “the driving dynamics of a sports car” and previously confirmed it’ll have brand-first air suspension.
Lucid also promises greater electric range than any SUV on the market today.
The Gravity’s expected main competitor, the Tesla Model X, offers a range of 536km (Plaid) or 560km (standard) on both the EPA and WLTP test cycles, while the Air sedan offers between 660km and 830km of range depending on the variant.
Expect the Air sedan’s 900V electrical architecture to carry over to the Gravity, which supports DC fast-charging at up to 300kW.
Lucid says the Gravity has been designed with room for “up to seven adults and their cargo”, suggesting boot space – accessible via a “clamshell” rear opening – won’t be as compromised as in some three-row SUVs.
In the cockpit, the Lucid Gravity will feature the brand’s dual-screen Glass Cockpit using an updated version of the Lucid UX infotainment software.
Some of the improvements included in Lucid’s first over-the-air (OTA) software update for the Air in October last year included highway assist, more user-friendly parking assists, built-in Alexa voice control, ‘Instant-On’ when the driver enters the cockpit, and auto locking and unlocking for owners using a mobile phone and or key fob.
“I am excited to see the Gravity SUV moving forward so quickly in its development, as it builds upon everything this company has achieved thus far and drives further advancements of our in-house technology to create a luxury electric SUV like none other,” said Lucid CEO and CTO Peter Rawlinson.
Reservations are yet to open for US customers, but customers on the waitlist are expected to be invited to place orders before the end of this year. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2024.
Lucid has confirmed European and Middle Eastern deliveries will follow.
There’s no word yet on an Australian launch for the brand, but Lucid has confirmed the production of the Air for right-hand drive markets including the UK.
The Lucid Gravity SUV will be based on the same platform as the Lucid Air, which is available in four dual-motor all-wheel drive configurations and batteries ranging from 88kWh to 118kWh.
A new tri-motor Air Sapphire offers over 895kW of power and a 0-60mph (0-96km/h) time of 1.89 seconds.
Even the base Air Pure offers 358kW and a 3.8-second 0-60mph time, with other dual-motor variants producing between 462kW and 783kW.
The Gravity will be produced alongside the Air at Lucid’s Casa Grande factory in Arizona, which is being expanded to accommodate the new vehicle.
It will enter a competitive electric luxury SUV market with competition such as the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, BMW iX, Audi Q8 e-tron, Polestar 3 and Volvo EX90.
Lucid will reveal pricing closer to production, but it will be looking to enter the market below the Model X.
The Lucid Air range starts from US$77,400 (AU$117,000), beating its Tesla rival, the Model S, by US$11,590 (AU$17,540).
