American electric vehicle startup Lucid Motors has just declared that it has finally kicked off pre-production of the highly awaited Lucid Gravity electric SUV in Arizona.
Lucid builds first Gravity SUV prototype
On Tuesday, Lucid Chief Executive and Chief Technology Officer Peter Rawlinson released short footage of the first Gravity pre-production unit presentation on the Casa Grande factory in Arizona through a LinkedIn post.
According to the Lucid boss, the first pre-production Gravity electric SUV marks a major milestone for the aspiring Tesla rival’s efforts to deliver its next offering in the highly competitive market.
The Infinite Black painted vehicle body in the video clip apparently came fresh from the factory’s paint shop. The Casa Grande plant team dropped it into the assembly line to undergo the final touches to become the model’s first release candidate.
“This afternoon, fresh out of our state-of-the-art paint shop and resplendent in stunning Infinite Black, the first Lucid Gravity SUV pre-production bodyshell dropped down from the roof conveyor onto the main production line at our factory in Casa Grande, AZ, reaching a significant milestone on our path to full production…”
Lucid Chief Executive and Chief Technology Officer Peter Rawlinson
Lucid CEO Rawlinson is highly optimistic that every release candidate of the upcoming Gravity would help them master its production.
Design and other features
Lucid officially unveiled the Gravity electric SUV in November 2023. On paper, it claims to offer all the key features to dominate the electric luxury SUV market by storm.
The electric SUV integrates design eminence with ample interiors and versatility. Its cutting-edge design enables it to achieve a drag coefficient of less than 0.24.
Inside, it offers flexible cargo space, adding up to over 112 cubic feet of total usable cargo room. Its second row can slide back with integrated convenience tables to deliver an “elevated back-seat experience.” It also offers a 34-inch curved and uninterrupted OLED display above the updated “innovative” steering wheel.
Technical specs
Lucid announced that the Gravity electric SUV will have a driving range of 440 miles. It also disclosed that the model will cost at least sub-$80,000.
The Gravity can reportedly accelerate from 0-60 mph in just sub-3.5 seconds. It also promises to support 1,500 pounds of payload capacity and 6,000 pounds of towing capacity.
It also offers an improved optional air suspension package that acclimates automatically to various terrain needs. In addition, the electric SUV will utilize a 900-volt architecture to offer extremely fast charging speeds.
Lucid plans to officially kick off production in late 2024. It will challenge the popularity of Rivian R1S and the veteran Tesla Model X when it hits the electric luxury SUV segment.
