The new EV performance brand Lucid launches with a sedan with three motors for $249,000

An EV manufacturer called Lucid Group has launched a new high-performance luxury brand called Sapphire that pushes performance and pricing boundaries. At the Lucid Air sedan's public debut during Monterey Car Week, Sapphire gave the first EV the Sapphire treatment.

The Lucid Air Sapphire comes with 18-way power sport seats upholstered in black leather and a Sapphire-themed touchscreen display, despite the new paint color and interior theme.

An important improvement is a three-motor powertrain with twin motor rear-drive and single motor front-drive which boosts performance all-around. New heat exchanger technology and heightened coolant flow rate are included in the twin rear-drive unit. 

A battery system with higher power and more precise thermal logic has also been upgraded. As a result, the vehicle accelerates from 0-60 mph in under two seconds, 100 mph in less than four seconds, and the standing quarter mile in less than 9 seconds.

The final horsepower numbers won't be released until later, along with instrumented demonstrations of the vehicle's performance capabilities. Lucid Air Sapphire's three-motor powertrain has more than 1,200 horsepower, according to the company. 

The range of Lucid's performance EV was not disclosed. A single charge lasts between 406 and 520 miles on the other Air variants.

Compared to all-wheel drive, the powertrain is more dynamic. It has twin rear-drive units that can pivot the rear of the vehicle and provide torque in opposite directions.

A stiffer front and rear suspension, unique damper settings, stiffer bushings, and specific tuning for ABS, traction, stability control, and electronic power steering distinguish the Lucid Air Sapphire from other Air variants.

A carbon ceramic brake system and Aero Sapphire wheels are also standard, as are Michelin PS4S tires sized 265/35R20 at the front and 295/30R21 at the rear of the Sapphire Air.

Wheel covers made of carbon fiber increase aerodynamic efficiency even further. Although Lucid executives have discussed introducing lower-priced models, now is not the time. As a luxury brand, Sapphire is an upgrade from Lucid Air.

The Lucid Air Sapphire EV sedan will have a limited production run and be priced at $249,000. U.S. and Canadian deliveries are planned for next year. The company will begin taking reservations at 9 a.m. on August 23.