US-based startup Lucid Motors has revealed its second electric vehicle (EV), the sleek seven-seater Gravity SUV.
With a claimed range of over 708km and 0-100km/h time of less than 3.5 seconds, Lucid is describing the SUV as “an environmentally friendly, versatile electric vehicle with the spirit of a supercar.”
There’s a very clear kinship with Lucid’s Air sedan, with smooth lines, pronounced shoulders, and a rakish roofline.
Despite the sleek looks, Lucid has incorporated a third row of seating, as well as a “substantial frunk” (under-bonnet storage cavity).
Like the Air, the Gravity has a clean front end with slim LED headlights shouldering a horizontal front air intake.
Along the side, the wheel arches are bordered by dark contrast cladding, while the doors have flush handles and open at 90 degrees to allow for easy access.
The same slim light set-up and Lucid wordmark is replicated at the rear end, giving the car a wider look.
In the design process, emphasis has been placed on aerodynamics to ensure a drag coefficient of less than 0.24.
Lucid says this outperforms rival three-row electric SUVs such as the Tesla Model X and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, which have drag coefficients of 0.25.
The Gravity has been built on a bespoke new platform ‘developed from the ground up as a sporty SUV’.
Lucid says the platform builds on its existing technology including its EV motors, 900V electrical architecture, and powertrain technology.
The 900V architecture, also found in the Air, supports DC fast-charging at up to 300kW. Lucid claims customers can add up to 322km of range in about 15 minutes.
Lucid has yet to detail the Gravity’s available powertrains, but has confirmed it will debut the option of ‘Zero Gravity’, an adaptive air suspension system designed to enhance driving on all terrains.
Inside the cabin, Lucid will debut the next generation of its Glass Cockpit featuring the Lucid UX interface.
The cockpit configuration consists of a 34-inch curved and uninterrupted OLED display across the driver’s side of the dashboard above a squared-off steering wheel, and a standalone infotainment screen sitting on the centre stack.
Lucid has used the tech-heavy cabin to enhance the passenger experience, integrating meditation configurations called Lucid Sanctuary and Lucid Spaces which ‘transform the cabin into a serene oasis’.
The second row slides and the third row folds, allowing for up to 3171L of total usable cargo space.
Lucid claims the three-row configuration will comfortably seat up to seven adults, with ‘remarkable’ legroom available to all three rows, as well as integrated tray tables for an elevated rear passenger experience.
The Gravity will offer a payload capacity of over 680kg and towing capacity of up to 2721kg.
“With a battery pack about half the size of some competitors, Gravity is an environmentally friendly, versatile electric vehicle with the spirit of a supercar,” said Lucid chief engineer Eric Bach.
First previewed a year ago, reservations for the Gravity have been open to North American buyers since early 2023.
Confirmation of European and Middle Eastern deliveries is still to come.
There’s no word yet on the Australian launch for the brand, but a report earlier this year suggested right-hand drive production was on the cards.
Lucid has confirmed that production of the model is expected to begin in late 2024.
The Gravity will be produced alongside the Air sedan at Lucid’s Casa Grande plant in Arizona, which is being expanded to accommodate the new vehicle.
Pricing for the Gravity SUV will start at US$80,000 (A$123,500) in the US.
