Skip to main content

Lucid Air Electric Vehicle Hits 235 Miles Per Hour

By Miles Branman Aug 6, 2021 7:41 AM

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Lucid is a relatively new player in the electric car scene. It was just April of this year that the startup automaker revealed its Lucid Air EV. At the time of the vehicle’s debut, Lucid claimed an Air prototype had reached a top speed of 217 mph on the Transportation Research Center’s test track in Ohio. This month, Lucid returned to the banked oval circuit to aim even higher.

Using the same Alpha Speed Car, Lucid has announced that the Air achieved a top speed of 235 mph. To put that figure into perspective, the first top speed, recorded in April, matched that of a million-dollar supercar – the Ferrari LaFerrari.

Recommended Videos

So how did the automaker improve by 18 miles per hour? Lucid says its first test saddled the prototype with software that limited the top end to 217 mph. Lucid claims the initial test more than exceeded its expectations, but it knew the car could go further with some improvements.

lucid speed car — Image used with permission by copyright holder

“For example, the self-leveling air suspension was not able to adjust quickly enough when running near 200 mph on a high-banked track, with heavy downforce pushing the car laterally against the track.” Lucid explains in a recent blog post. “We also found the front motor was running at temperatures higher than had been predicted in computer simulations.”

The front motor received coolant flow and ventilation upgrades. New, aerodynamically efficient wheels were fitted. Finally, Lucid removed the speed limiter. Like the first test, the July prototype was equipped with a roll cage and a parachute for emergencies.

During the first test in April, the Air prototype was doing 200 mph coming off the banked curves. This time, it was doing 215 mph. By the end of the straight, it clocked 235.44 mph.

Lucid is quick to point out that because this is a prototype, specifically setup for top speed runs, the production car may not match this top speed. However, with the consumer model boasting 1,000 horsepower and 400 miles of range in its highest trim, there should be no question that the pure EV is lightning fast.

Miles Branman doesn’t need sustenance; he needs cars. While the gearhead gene wasn’t strong in his own family, Miles… Read Full Bio

Topics

EVs

Porsche just proved the Cheyenne Electric is the most impressive performance vehicle you can drive

Car, Transportation, Vehicle

I have seen the movies. I know there is no way that a car can survive in the jet blast of a plane. I remember the scene from Casino Royale. And for me, that is science. But the engineers at Porsche and Stratolaunch aren’t so sure. They operate in the real world of science, and they came together to see if the Porsche Cheyenne Electric could withstand the take-off power of one of the largest and most powerful aircraft in the world. Why? Because they can and because curiosity oftentimes leads to something awesome. Spoiler alert…the car holds up. But don’t take my word for it.

The car is its own beast. It’s got the ability to keep up and play in this space. – Orlando Bloom, Porsche ambassador

Indian commits to American artistry with Signature Series

Machine, Spoke, Helmet

There is something about sitting on the back of a motorcycle that you can’t feel anywhere else. Road trips feel different on the back of a bike versus in a car. Maybe it is the solo aspect of it. Maybe there is the feeling of the wind. Who knows? What I do know is that there is nothing like a bike ride through the countryside. The winding roads, the sunsets through the visor of the helmet, all of it is unrivaled. Indian Motorcycle understands this, and they have since they became the first American motorcycle company. Now, they have dropped a new Signature Series of four motorcycles echoing their commitment to American artistry and craftsmanship.

Since 1901, Indian Motorcycle has pursued the ultimate intersection of form and function – motorcycles that are as beautiful in design as they are sophisticated in performance – Mike Kennedy, CEO of Indian Motorcycle

Is the BMW XM a perfect blend of practicality and performance

Car, Transportation, Vehicle

The BMW XM has received a bit of a mixed response, but there’s a strong argument that it’s a logical next step on from the BMW M5. Think about it, the M5 is special because it combines practicality with exceptional performance. The BMW XM does the same thing, though you’re trading a little handling quality for far more practicality.

On a recent venture in BMW’s performance SUV, I weighed up the pros and cons of BMW’s most divisive vehicle. And it may be a better choice than BMW’s flagship.