2024 Lucid Air Grand Touring Gets Efficiency Tweaks, Range Remains 516 Miles
Perhaps you’ve noticed the official range estimates for some EVs slipping lately. This has nothing to do with the vehicles or their electrical systems. Rather, it’s the result of a change in how the EPA tests and certifies EV range. The official range test must now be conducted with the vehicle in its default settings. It’s not a big change — nor is it particularly representative of real-world use, where many drivers will put their EVs in more efficient drive modes — but it has been impactful. The Lucid Air’s default Smooth drive mode is its most efficient, but within each mode are two selectable levels of regenerative braking, with the default being less aggressive.
Related: AirDrop: Lucid Cuts Prices on 2024 Air by Thousands
From Many Small Changes
Under the new test procedure, the Air Grand Touring remains the longest-range EV currently available, capable of the same EPA-rated 516 miles on a charge as it was in 2023. The company made numerous small updates to the Grand Touring’s motor design, battery chemistry and thermal management system this year, nudging efficiency upward. While these changes conveniently offset any decrease in the EPA-rated range, they also have the benefit of improving range in real-world conditions, from extreme cold — a frequent critique of electric vehicles is their decreased range in cold temperatures — to what Lucid downplays as “sustained spirited driving” (on a controlled track, no doubt).
Even shoppers who roll their eyes at the idea of taking their electric supersedan to track days will realize a benefit from the upgrades: Lucid says the battery can now replenish between 15% and 30% faster on a DC fast charger, aided by improved en-route preconditioning that better prepares the battery for arrival at a charging station. (EV batteries charge quickest in a relatively narrow temperature range; preconditioning raises or lowers the pack’s temperature to within this threshold so the car can begin charging at the optimal rate immediately upon plugging in.) The Air Grand Touring also gets the more efficient heat pump from the range-topping Sapphire trim, which uses less energy to maintain a comfortable cabin temperature.
Powertrains and Pricing
Lucid previously announced that it was cutting prices by $7,500 and $8,000, respectively, on the 2024 Air Pure and Touring trims. Full line pricing for the 2024 Lucid Air, including $1,500 for delivery, is as follows:
- Pure: $71,400
- Touring: $79,400
- Grand Touring: $111,400
- Sapphire: $250,500
The 2023 Pure offered all-wheel drive, but for 2024 it isn’t available with the front motor. Its single rear-mounted electric motor is powered by an 88-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Pure generates 430 horsepower and has an EPA-estimated range of 419 miles.
One step up, the Air Touring features a 92-kWh battery and a second motor on the front axle that bumps output to 620 hp while only knocking range down 8 miles, to 411.
Equally as astounding as the Grand Touring’s 516-mile range — and certainly more so when considered in tandem with that range — is the Grand Touring’s 819 hp and claimed 3.0-second catapult from 0 to 60 mph.
With a motor on the front axle and one powering each rear wheel, the Sapphire generates an astounding 1,234 hp, good for a top speed in excess of 200 mph, while still managing 427 miles on a charge.
More From Cars.com:
- 2023 Lucid Air Touring: What We Learned Driving a More Affordable Air
- How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2023 Lucid Air?
- Which EVs Have All-Wheel Drive?
- Electric Cars With the Longest Range
- Research the Lucid Air
Related Video:
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
