Rather than recalling all Air models, Lucid used its connected car capabilities to pin down exactly which models could have been affected. Connected cars are a controversial topic for some, but this NHTSA recall offers a big check in the ‘pro’ column for the EV brand. One plus point for Lucid in this scenario is its ability to perform over-the-air updates. Lucid uses over-the-air capabilities to diagnose affected models Lucid Air | Lucid When this happens, the electric motors shut down and the car operates only the interior accessories. In short, a spring inside the controlling switch is stronger than the magnet used to hold the circuit closed. In the Air, a tiny spring allowed the car to switch from Ignition On to Accessory mode without warning, and it could even happen while at speed. ![]() ![]() “Accessory” turns on just the HVAC and radio functions. Like most cars, the Lucid Air has different options for operating various components within the vehicle. The issue affecting the Lucid Air involves the car’s various power modes. Anything unpredictable has the opportunity to cause an accident – just ask the drivers behind the Tesla that suddenly stopped in a tunnel over the winter. Having the electric motors shut down at highway speeds can put both that driver and surrounding drivers at risk of an accident. While the recall covers just 637 Lucid Air models, the problem necessitating the recall is a particularly terrifying one. Lucid Air | Lucid The Lucid Air recall problem We can only imagine how scary a safety issue that may be, and it deals a big blow to an EV brand that was already struggling to get ahead. An issue relating to power loss is the culprit and seems to affect vehicles both at a stop and while driving. That said, company says it will start offering cars in Europe from July, so sales here could start in 2023.On Tuesday, EV brand Lucid issued a recall for over 600 of its Air electric vehicles from 20. Of course, that’ll only be a problem if you can actually buy one on Britain. Although a Tesla Model S is just shy of £120,000 in the UK) this top-spec Lucid Air Dream Edition Performance is a pricey machine. Only the price could be a factor for some, as at $169,000 in America (£138,413 at today’s exchange rate. Our first impressions highlight a car that boasts massive performance, plenty of technical capability and a strong mix of practicality and refinement. On this basis, Lucid’s first showing bodes well for an extended product line-up in the future, and the Air is the disrupter that will challenge the likes of Tesla. Rawlinson says that “Today we challenge Mercedes,” before adding that his vision is that, “from 2025, when we have finished our much cheaper mid-size sedan after the Gravity SUV, then we will attack Tesla." Practicality is also good, with plenty of space inside, while a 626-litre boot is complemented by a 283-litre storage area in the nose. The driver assistance systems are as advanced as the car’s charging tech, with the Dream Drive Pro set-up featuring Lidar, radar and cameras, with a total of 32 sensors for autonomous driving capability. There’s some wind noise from around the windscreen pillars, but apart from this refinement is good.Ĭharging capability is up to the cutting-edge standard too, with a rate of 300kW possible the car’s 900-volt electrical architecture can accept enough charge to add up to 300 miles of range in just 20 minutes, so the Air is an EV that delivers flexibility when it comes to both range and charging. It handles sweetly in tight corners but offers comfort like a premium saloon. This five-metre-long saloon takes on some other elements of a sports car’s persona, feeling like its wheelbase has shrunk and it’s shed a few hundred kilograms in the process. ![]() Switch to the Swift setting and the Air is more engaging, but it’s only in Sprint mode do you get the full 1,111bhp hit, when the Air really does feel Bugatti-fast, powerful but effortless. In the Smooth driving mode the steering lacks a little feedback, but it is light, making the car feel easy to place and manoeuvrable. And it’s not just in the performance and range stakes that the Air has the measure if its arch-rival. Lucid’s first model shows that the company really means business and that it’s clearly targeting targeting Tesla at the top of the EV tree. Joining Brit Rawlinson – considered to be the father of the Tesla Model S – at the top of the company is design chief Derek Jenkins, who penned the Mazda MX-5 German chief engineer Eric Bach, who learned his trade at VW and production manager Peter Hochholdinger, also a former Tesla employee.
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