Lucid launched the more affordable versions of the Air sedan in November last year, promising to have the first units delivered in December. The EV startup announced the Air Pure’s first deliveries on December 31, 2022.
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Lucid is one of the most promising EV startups, showing big ambitions to become the next Tesla. The company met some roadblocks in 2022, and Tesla’s Elon Musk has repeatedly warned that Lucid is heading toward bankruptcy. Nevertheless, the maker of the Air sedan still soldiers on and is preparing to open a new chapter in 2023 with the launch of more affordable vehicle models and a new electric SUV in the making. In the meantime, it’s Tesla that appears to suffer more from adverse market conditions.

Lucid launched the more affordable Air Touring and Air Pure specs in November last year, promising to deliver the latter to customers no later than December. Many thought Lucid would miss its self-imposed target, which would’ve been considered normal in an upside-down automotive world like the one we have today.

Nevertheless, on December 31, Lucid’s social media accounts revealed that the first units of the Air Pure were delivered at Lucid’s Millbrae, California Studio. Pictures and videos from the event show the new owners receiving a warm welcome to the Lucid Owners Club and the keys to their new cars. Lucid also indicated that more deliveries are underway at Lucid’s Studio in Torrance, California.

The Lucid Air Pure has an MSRP of $87,400 for the single-motor version, although the units delivered so far sport a dual-motor configuration, which adds $5,500 to the price. Lucid said the most affordable Air Pure specs would start deliveries in 2023 without providing a more specific time frame. Even at $92,900, the Air Pure dual-motor undercuts the Tesla Model S ($104,990), its main rival in the luxury sedan segment.

What is impressive is Lucid’s ability to offer the Air Pure at a lower price point while sacrificing very little in terms of features and technology compared to the more expensive versions. The most affordable Air is in no way cheap, offering the same luxurious cabin, even though it lacks a panoramic glass roof. Also worth noting is that the Lucid Air Pure uses interior fabrics made from recycled materials to make it more sustainable.

Lucid has high expectations from the Air Pure, which it considers the backbone of its entire range. The company was not having its best moments in 2022, with many canceled orders for the more expensive trims and a balance sheet that worries some investors. That’s why the Air Pure is expected to mark the start of a new era for Lucid.

The EV startup insists that the more affordable sedan is more than just a trim in Air’s lineup and explains that a lot of development went into creating the new version. The Air Pure advancements were eventually integrated into the other Air vehicles and are said to have contributed to the landmark 0.197 drag coefficient across the entire range.

After much speculation, Lucid finally told the world what the single-motor Air Pure RWD is capable of. But it didn’t share the specifics with the press, social media influencers, or on its website. It told prospective customers what they should expect.

As happened with other manufacturers last year and continues to take place with brands like Rivian, Lucid is currently allowing interested buyers to place a refundable deposit of $300. This means that you are not obligated to buy the car you’re interested in, nor can Lucid be held liable for not making the vehicle you placed a reservation for.

The buying process can start once the manufacturer is ready to put the vehicle into production. That’s when you can add or remove options and finalize the preferred build. Only after the Order Agreement is signed, can your car begin its journey on the assembly line. Other payments like taxes or fees will be a part of another document – the final purchase agreement. This is handed to the customer when the vehicle is delivered.

All this matters because Lucid disclosed the Air Pure RWD’s specs in an email sent to prospective buyers who awaited their turn at configuring a sedan they would eventually pay for.

The source shows that the Saudi-owned American automaker is expecting a range of around 406 mi (653 km), which has resulted after tests done in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) rules. The Air Pure RWD puts out 430 hp (436 ps) and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque. It can accelerate from naught to 60 mph (97 kph) in 4.4 seconds. Keep in mind these are figures presented by the manufacturer and have not been independently confirmed yet.

Customers who have not yet made a reservation and are not on Lucid’s emailing list still see that the Air Pure has “up to 480 hp” in rear-wheel-drive configuration. However, that’s the maximum output of the dual-motor all-wheel-drive Pure. The RWD model makes 50 hp (51 ps) less. However, the range and the zero to 60 time are still impressive and do not compromise the EV’s overall capabilities.


More important than knowing what the Air Pure RWD can deliver is that Lucid has started contacting potential buyers to tell them that finishing their preferred build is possible. This might indicate the start of production for the sedan, which is still shown online as being available later.

The Air Pure RWD is the cheapest Lucid customers can buy now, but it still doesn’t qualify for the updated EV tax credit which sets an MSRP cap of $55,000 for sedans. With no options added, a 2023 Lucid Air Pure RWD costs $87,400 before taxes and fees. The all-wheel-drive model is $5,500 more. However, the manufacturer recently announced an EV tax credit of its own.

By going with the entry-level Pure, you’re missing out on a cooler color, 20-inch wheels, a blacked-out interior with an Alcantara headliner, the Dreamdrive Pro advanced driver-assistance system, and the $4,000 21-speaker sound system.

Finally, if you order an Air Pure RWD before June 30, 2023, you’ll enjoy one year of free charging within the Electrify America network. But make sure you read the fine print because Lucid says it’s only available for “reasonable personal use” and doesn’t dive into specifics.

Dreaming of clean, fresh air? Well, what about a Lucid Air? The posh all-electric sedan is now a lot cheaper. The automaker cut prices across the board. It is ready to put you behind the wheel as fast as possible.
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We could say that Tesla's aggressive pricing policy strikes again, but that would not be correct. Lucid wants to increase its sales since production has been going steadily. It does not want too many units in its inventory because we're nearing the end of the third quarter, and it wants to report good sales results.

When writing, the cheapest Lucid sedan anyone can buy is the all-wheel-drive Air Pure. It costs $82,400 before taxes and fees. That's a whopping $10,500 discount! Previously, the dual-motor Air Pure was being sold for an MSRP of $92,900. Who needs the EV tax credit now, right?

The new sum gets you a vehicle capable of driving 410 miles on a full charge, a dual-motor powertrain with an output of 480 hp, and a 900V architecture that enables the car to add 200 miles of range in 15 minutes when hooked to a 350 kW DC fast charger.

It's pretty quick too. It can run from zero to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds.

Lucid also has a special offer available throughout August. By putting down a deposit of $7,699, you'll have to pay just $749 a month for three years.

One of Lucid's main rivals – Tesla – currently sells the Model S Dual Motor AWD for a starting price of $88,490. It has an EPA-estimated range of 405 miles but is 0.7 seconds faster than the Air Pure, thanks to a 190-hp supplement. Moreover, it has the NACS connector advantage – it can replenish its energy storage unit pretty fast at a soon-to-be-very-crowded Supercharger station.


A cheaper version of the Air Pure is coming in September, but that one will be rear-wheel drive only. Tesla doesn't have a single-motor Model S.

Inflation canceled?

The Air Pure RWD was supposed to cost $87,400, but we expect its price to drop as well. However, it will not reach the updated EV tax credit $55,000 threshold for cars.

Next, the Lucid Air Touring. It boasts 425 miles of range and 620 hp. It can now be yours for $95,000. That's a $4,900 discount. At the beginning of the year, this vehicle had a starting cost of $107,400, but the automaker adjusted its price in February to $99,900. This trim doesn't only shave off 0.4 seconds of the zero to 60 mph time, but it also includes a couple of goodies as standard.

Moving on, the Lucid Air Grand Touring used to cost $130,500. The updated price shaved off nearly $5,000 because it will now set you back $125,600. This car was sold at $138,000 a pop before taxes and fees in January.

For $43,200 over the Air Pure, you get a maximum range of 516 miles, improved charging speeds (if you can find the right stall), and a power output of 1,050 hp. That figure comes from two motors, enabling the sedan to go from naught to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds. To give you a better perspective, a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ reaches 60 mph in 2.9 seconds. The two-door supercar had a suggested starting price of $517,00.

The only price Lucid hasn't changed (yet) is for the tri-motor 1,200-hp+ Air Sapphire. That model can run from naught to 60 mph in a mind-bending 1.89 seconds and keep going until it reaches more than 200 mph. It costs $249,000 at the time of writing, which makes it over two times more expensive than the 1,020-hp Tesla Model S Plaid.

There aren't any dealer markups to worry about because the brand adopted the direct sales model. All you have to do is use the online platform, spec the vehicle to your taste, and it will come to you unless specified otherwise.

Finally, the partnerships with Aston Martin and Saudi Arabia's Ceer confirmed the American brand is one of the most promising players in the EV space. Let's just hope it can survive in this weirdly competitive market.

Lucid has put all its Air versions through an update, which, says the carmaker, offers more flexibility to the customers. The model starts from $77,400. For the money, customers can get the entry-level Air Pure electric sedan.
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The EV maker has listened to the customers’ demands and is now offering new features according to their preferences. They will get more interior and exterior color options, including the super popular Stealth Appearance, now more affordable, but also the Fathom Blue paint, available for every variant except for the Sapphire.

Potential buyers can now check boxes for Comfort & Convenience Packages for extra money for the Air Pure and Air Touring, while the content of the package comes standard with the Air Grand Touring and Sapphire.

The package includes a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, soft-close doors, four-zone climate control, and power rear window sunshades for the Air Pure. This variant is also getting the optional 14-way or 20-way power front seats with ventilation and massage, plus an expanded range of interior themes.

The 19-inch Aero Range wheels are now standard equipment, and so is the PurLuxe leather-free upholstery. Lucid has dropped the all-wheel drive variant and only kept the rear-wheel drive, equipped with the 88-kWh battery and 419 miles (647 kilometers) of range.

Meanwhile, the Comfort & Convenience Package brings power open and close frunk as well as heated precision wipers for the Air Touring. The most affordable variant with all-wheel drive, the Touring now receives some extra oomph (620 horsepower) and a quicker acceleration (3.4 seconds) compared to what the outgoing all-wheel drive Air Pure could offer. The Air Touring starts at $85,900.
Higher up in the range, there is the Lucid Air Grand Touring, set to hit the market in early 2024. The model with all-wheel drive will remain the longest-range electric car on the market, which is 520 miles (840 kilometers).

Lucid lowered the price on this one, but does not mention how low it went. The 2023 model started at $115,600. Customers are now getting the all-wheel drive and 819 horsepower (830 PS). The Fathom Blue exterior paint is available for this variant, but there is no word about its pricing either.

The model also comes with a body-colored aluminum roof, PurLuxe leather-free upholstery, and 12-way power front seats, while the front seats can be ordered with ventilation and massage functions.

The top-of-the-line Air Sapphire remains the super sports sedan with 1,234 horsepower (1,251 PS) and capable of flashing from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 kph) in 1.89 seconds. It does the quarter mile in 8.94 seconds and hits a top speed of 205 mph (330 kph). The EPA-estimated range is of 427 miles (687 kilometers).

The Lucid Air is only a couple of years old, but the automaker is eager to give it a minor update. The entry-level Air Pure model gets a new 84.0-kilowatt-hour battery pack for 2025 that provides up to an EPA-estimated 420 miles of range on a single charge without raising the trim’s starting price.

The smaller, more efficient battery offers five miles of range per kilowatt-hour of energy, making the EV “the most energy-efficient vehicle” on sale today, according to the automaker. That beats the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Lexus RZ.

The range-topping GT provides the most range at 512 miles for 2025, up from 485, but it also starts at $111,400 (all prices include the $1,500 destination charge) while delivering 812 horsepower. The 620-hp Air Touring with all-wheel drive is cheaper. It has a starting price of $79,400 and provides up to 406 miles of EPA-estimated range. The 2025 Air Pure starts at $71,400 and gets a 146 MPGe.

Lucid is also improving the EV’s infotainment capability with a new processor with three times the power and twice the memory. It’s also making the heat pump, originally introduced on the Sapphire and added to the Grand Touring for 2024, and its advanced driver-assistance system standard equipment across the entire Air range.