EXCLUSIVE: Lucid Air Designer Derek Jenkins Talks Tesla-Beating EV Super Sedan

But getting to the production model definitely took some time. With core concepts in mind, Jenkins said, “We really focused, from that point, building this brand around those attributes, building a core DNA to the brand. And then that, of course, leads to actually designing the car and building an aesthet
“It’s not that big a car,” he explained. “It’s well under 5 meters [16.4 feet] in length. It’s about the size of an E-Class Mercedes. Or a better reference is, we’re 5 millimeters shorter than a Tesla Model S in length. It’s narrower than Tesla Model S but it’s also lower—the roof height is lower. So what you end up with is this nice, long, low, and sleek vehicle, which is inherently appeali
As for the Saudis, Jenkins believes, “They’re very much hedging for the future, knowing that this is going to accelerate and the world will transition to sustainable and renewable energy and that electric mobility is an inevitable outcome, globally. T hey wanted to be part of that and it’s been a great common synergy for both of u
“Not since the ‘70s” has there been a car with a worse build quality than the new Model 3 from Tesla, according to Sandy Munro, CEO of Munro and Associates. The company specializes in tearing down and reverse engineering products to see exactly how they’re made. They’ve torn apart everything from cars to rice cookers and recently partnered with Autoline to see how a Model 3 stacks
“On the exterior, [the challenge] was probably this cab-forward proportion. The car has a relatively long wheelbase and the cabin is stretched out much farther than other cars in that class. As a result, you end up with a fairly short hood and you end up with a very short tru
First up: range. For anyone buying an electric car, range is always the first thing on their mind. The extended-range Mach-E is expected to reach 300 miles on a single charge from a 98.8 kWh battery. The Tesla Model 3 Long Range has it beat with 332 miles on a 75 kWh battery. Even in base forms, the Mach-E can manage 230 miles, while the Model 3 Standard gets 250 mi
“That’s why we put all this focus on the lighting, on the light blade, we have this incredible microlens array technology which allows the very slim digital lighting. We need very little cooling on the front of the car, that’s why we have this very small opening down bel
“Obviously, the big focus is launching Air,” he replied. “Getting it into production, making sure all our stores are open, making sure our online digital platform for customer experiences is bulletproof and working well. We’re trying to give our customers the best possible online experience and the best possible ownership experien
“There’s always a temptation with electric cars to go super futuristic, like taken from a Tron movie,” he explained. “We felt like we can dabble in that a little bit but most luxury buyers today—and in a couple of years—don’t necessarily want a piece of science fiction in their driveway. They want something relatable, clearly future-focused but still elegant and sophisticated, as we
The car’s panel work had frequent gaps and inconsistencies, showing a clear lack of manufacturing quality. “The tolerance stack-ups on this car are just, like nothing we’ve ever seen before. Not since… the ’70s or somethi
What about power? In its strongest form, the Mach-E gets 459 hp and 612 lb-ft of on-demand torque. The Model 3 Performance gets more horsepower at 473 hp, but less torque at 471 lb-ft. However, the Mach-E is expected to accelerate from 0-60 in the mid-3-second range, while the Model 3 can do it in just 3.2 seconds. Another point for Te
It doesn’t end there. Munro also expressed concern for first responders that have to cut open the car to access the occupants, noting that firemen won’t know where active wires are that could potentially electrocute. “I’m certain lawyers are going to have a field day with this kinda stu
Range is one of the most important factors in an Ev racing Games|https://evinsightzone.com/. It is determined by the capacity of the battery and the type of electric motor it’s paired with. This is why EV manufacturers continuously research and produce upgraded, longer-lasting batter
“I grew up in the ‘70s and ‘80s,” he told me. “So all the cars that I appreciate—that I kind of obsess about—are from that time period. I’m a huge fan of, obviously, the first Countach and Lotus Esprit, Porsche 911 and Porsche 928. These kind of Italian and German-derived cars. Aesthetically, they’re quite different but that’s kind of my sweet spot: Bertone, Pininfarina, Giugiaro, Italdesi
Perhaps one of the most American hobbies, the road-trip, has seen a vast boom this year as concerns over personal health and safety have risen. Offering excellent over the road options, the Air offers some 739 liters of luggage space in large part thanks to its compact drivetrain and battery package. Add to that the exceptional 517-mile range and it’s becoming more and more clear that Lucid is serious about taking on big names such as Tesla, Porsche, and Riv