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Lucid Air unveiling: four variants, <$80k starting price, 1,080 HP, 517-mile range rating
Lucid has officially unveiled the Air, the company’s first production car, which aims to break the bounds of EV technology everywhere. The company’s September 9th unveiling event revealed the four variants of the Air, along with its tech developments that the company is using to compete directly with the growing electric vehicle market.
Deliveries of the first Air models will begin in Spring 2021, but the car has already set several new and unheard-of records for the EV sector. Not only is the Air currently holding the benchmark for EPA-estimated range at 517 miles, but its “Dream Edition” variant also set a 9.9-second quarter-mile record, becoming just the third production ar on Earth to ever accomplish that feat.
Lucid’s primary focus is similar to Tesla’s: Create a high-performance and efficient electric cars that help accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable transportation.
“Lucid Motors is driven to make the electric car better, and by doing so, help move the entire industry forward, towards accelerated adoption of sustainable mobility,” CEO and CTO Peter Rawlinson said. “The goal of this relentless approach to developing the world’s most advanced electric vehicle is to benefit all mankind with sustainable, zero-emission transportation, and to also attract new customers to the world of EVs.”
The company’s ideal entrance into the market was to create a car that would push the limits and be competitive with the leaders of the EV sector. The Air is the near-perfect car to do that with.
“With the Lucid Air, we have created a halo car for the entire industry, one which shows the advancements that are possible by pushing the boundaries of EV technology and performance to new levels,” Rawlinson added.
Lucid Space Concept
Lucid Air captures a revolutionary approach to automotive packaging, known as the Lucid Space Concept. The idea capitalizes on the compact design of Lucid’s in-house powertrain, which optimizes interior cabin and storage space. The company focused on a clean-cut, holistic approach that was never-before-seen from other companies who develop electric vehicles.
Lucid’s focus was to make smaller, yet more powerful electric motors that not only increase the performance of the vehicle but also give passengers a more comfortable experience. “This extends the philosophy of hyper-efficiency embedded in every facet of Lucid Air, from energy to spatial efficiency, delivering an unprecedented combination of range, practicality, performance, and luxury,” the company said.
- Credit: Lucid Motors
- Credit: Lucid Motors
The design also is drastically different from any other car on the road. While the differences are subtle, the modern proportions for the Air deliver a one-of-a-kind look that gives drivers a unique design.
“When we embarked on this journey at Lucid Motors and the development of our first vehicle, the Lucid Air, we refused to compromise. We decided early on that we were going to pursue every facet of performance, innovation, and luxury,” Vice President of Design, Derek Jenkins, said.
- Credit: Lucid Motors
- Credit: Lucid Motors
- Credit: Lucid Motors
- Credit: Lucid Motors
Advanced Glass Cockpit Displays with Tactile Physical Controls
The interior of the Lucid Air “reflects a revolution in how next-generation free form displays are elegantly integrated into the design architecture in the cabin,” the company states. The Air’s 34-inch curved glass 5K display sits lightly above the dashboard, contributing to an airy and light feel of the interior.

A retractable central Pilot Panel also sits in a convenient location for drivers, putting ultimate control into their fingertips. Digital displays are complemented by high tactile, precision-milled physical controls that are present for operators to take full control of their vehicle with ease of access.
- Credit: Lucid Motors
- Credit: Lucid Motors
Record-Breaking Performance
The Air’s Dream Edition variant, a Dual-Motor, All-Wheel-Drive architecture achieved the quarter-mile in just 9.9 seconds thanks to a 1,080 horsepower powertrain. It reached these times on a consistent and repeatable basis, and to date, it is the only electric sedan to achieve the sub-10 second quarter-mile time.
Additionally, the 113 kWh battery pack complements its high-performance specifications with 517-miles of all-electric range on a single charge.
World’s Fastest Charging Electric Vehicle
The Lucid Air will be the fastest charging EV in the world when it arrives on the market in the Spring. The company states that it will have the capability to charge at rates of up to 20 miles per minute when connected to a DC Fast Charging network. Owners will translate just 20 minutes of charging into 300 miles of range.
Additionally, Lucid plans to introduce a Vehicle-to-Grid and Vehicle-to-Vehicle charging infrastructures that will give owners bi-directional capabilities that are built into the Air.
“Home charging is one of the key benefits of EV ownership. In addition to the standard Lucid Mobile Charging Cord that comes with every Lucid vehicle, Lucid has also developed the Lucid Connected Home Charging Station, one of the first AC charging stations with bi-directional charging ever offered. With bi-directional charging, owners can enjoy not just a more cost-effective charging method, but also use their Lucid Air as a temporary energy reserve to power their homes, including off-grid vacation properties,” the company noted.
- (Credit: Lucid Motors)
- (Credit: Lucid Motors)
Next Level Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
Lucid’s DreamDrive is a first-of-its-kind platform that combines the most comprehensive sensor suite on the market with a cutting-edge Driver Monitoring System. It is standard on the Lucid Air Dream Edition and is the first system to ever combine 32 sensors with covering vision, radar and ultrasonics, and high-resolution LIDAR. The combination of these systems provides “the safest possible approach to Level 2 and Level 3 driver assistance technologies,” the company stated.
- Credit: Lucid Motors
- Credit: Lucid Motors
Variants and Availability
The Lucid Air will be available in the North American market initially with four model ranges.
- The Air, starting below $80,000 and available in 2022. ($72,500 after federal tax credits)
- The Air Touring, starting at $95,000, available late 2021. ($87,500 after federal tax credits)
- The Air Grand Touring, starting at $139,000, available mid-2021. ($131,500 after federal tax credits)
- The Air Dream Edition, starting at $169,000, available Spring 2021. ($161,500 after federal tax credits)

Reservations are now open for customers in the U.S. and Canada, as well as in select countries in Europe and the Middle East. The reservation requires a $1,000 refundable deposit, or $7,500 refundable deposits for the Dream Edition. Prices and delivery dates will be available for international markets at a later date.
The Air will be available through 20 Lucid Studios and Service Centers that will open across North America by the end of 2021.
- Credit: Lucid Motors
- Credit: Lucid Motors
- Credit: Lucid Motors
- Credit: Lucid Motors
Dream Edition
“The Lucid Air Dream Edition will feature a unique combination of Lucid attributes and technology, combining incredible performance with exceptional range. The 1,080 horsepower luxury EV sedan will be available in Stellar White, Infinite Black, or a Dream Edition-exclusive, Eureka Gold finish. Each color will come with an exclusive “Santa Monica” themed interior trim, including full Nappa grain, Bridge of Weir leather throughout with silvered Eucalyptus wood. The Dream Edition will also feature a unique 21-inch “AeroDream” wheel design and be highlighted by special badging and trim that marks its position as a limited-production halo edition of the Lucid Air.”

Elon Musk
Elon Musk spotlights the Starlink rescue that got through where no cell tower could
Elon Musk spotlighted how Starlink helped rescuers reach five people stranded in Kazakhstan’s snowy mountains.
Elon Musk put a spotlight on a mountain rescue in eastern Kazakhstan on Sunday, writing “Starlink saves lives” in response to a post describing how SpaceX’s satellite internet helped five stranded people reach emergency crews.
The post from DogeDesigner, which had been viewed more than 500,000 times by Sunday afternoon, said the group’s SUV broke down about 15 kilometers from the village of Kystau Kurchum in an area with no usable mobile network. Starlink carried their call for help and kept them in contact with rescuers, who used the connection to locate them.
The rescue itself took place in October. Local outlet YK.kz reported on October 22 that Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations responded to the breakdown in the Kurchum district of East Kazakhstan region and noted that the group stayed in touch through Starlink. Rescuers covered roughly 100 kilometers in a Trekol, a low pressure tire vehicle built for snow and marshland, then escorted the disabled SUV back to Kystau Kurchum. Nobody needed medical attention.
Starlink saves lives
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 8, 2026
Conditions in the region were rough at the time. Kazakh broadcaster Channel 7 identified the five as hunters caught in a snow trap and said satellite communication allowed rescuers to pinpoint where they were. A spokesperson for the East Kazakhstan emergency department said a storm warning was in effect and urged residents not to leave populated areas unless necessary. The same weather stranded seven utility workers repairing power lines in the nearby Kuygan rural district, according to Tengrinews.
Kazakhstan has been one of Starlink’s more notable markets in Central Asia. Teslarati reported in 2024 that Starlink was serving 1,731 of the country’s 1,879 schools, with the country’s Education Minister saying it had set a new standard for internet service in schools.
Rescue stories like this one have followed Starlink for years, usually in places where ground networks fail or never existed in the first place. Then Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis called Starlink a “game changer” for search and rescue crews during Hurricane Milton, and SpaceX and T-Mobile switched on Starlink Direct to Cell in North Carolina to push emergency alerts to phones after Hurricane Helene.
The next target is dead zones for people who do not carry a dish at all. SpaceX is building out Starlink Mobile and earlier this week selected Qualcomm to supply core infrastructure for a planned terrestrial 5G network in the United States, which it intends to pair with its next generation satellite constellation.
Sunday’s post is at least the third time Musk has written “Starlink saves lives” on X this week, following identical posts on November 5 and November 7.
Elon Musk
SpaceX will perform Starship double catch attempt with Flight 15
SpaceX plans to attempt what will be a defining moment in rocket reusability on Starship Flight 15.
As Elon Musk announced in a recent X post, SpaceX will attempt to catch both the Super Heavy Booster and the Starship upper stage during the upcoming orbital flight. If successful, it will mark the first time that all parts of an orbital rocket return to Earth intact, a breakthrough Musk has called essential to making life multiplanetary.
SpaceX will attempt to catch both the Super Heavy booster and Starship on the upcoming flight.
If both are successful, it will mark the first time that all parts of an orbital rocket return to Earth intact.
This is the critical breakthrough needed to make life multiplanetary.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 6, 2026
Previous flights have demonstrated the tower-catch technique with Super Heavy. SpaceX has successfully caught V1 boosters three times (on Flights 5, 7, and 8), with some even reflown. The Ship upper stage has never been caught.
Returning from orbital velocity after deploying payload makes it a significantly harder challenge due to higher energy, heat loads, and the need for precise belly-flop reentry, a flip maneuver, and a final landing burn to settle between the Mechazilla tower’s chopstick arms.
Flight 15, using Booster 22 and Ship 42 (both Block 3 vehicles), is targeted for no earlier than Friday, November 13, 2026, from Orbital Launch Pad 2 at Starbase, Texas. The 75-minute window opens at 4:45 p.m. CT, pending regulatory approval. After hot staging and separation, the booster is planned to return for a catch roughly 6 minutes and 35 seconds after liftoff.
The Ship will insert into a roughly 275 km orbit, deploy 26 advanced Starlink V3 satellites, complete about 14 orbits over more than 22 hours, and—if systems check out—perform a deorbit burn, reentry, flip, and landing burn for a tower catch at approximately T+22 hours 32 minutes.
SpaceX confirms Starship 15 launch window with massive ambitions
A simulation shown during SpaceX’s October earnings call depicted the Ship descending in a belly-flop attitude, flipping upright with a short engine burn, and being captured by the arms:
From simulation to reality
SpaceX is just ONE WEEK away from attempting its most ambitious Starship catch yet https://t.co/nHrxSX6DSz
— X Freeze (@XFreeze) November 6, 2026
Contingency splashdown zones exist in the Gulf of Mexico (booster) and Pacific (Ship) if a catch is not viable. SpaceX has stressed rigorous health checks before committing the Ship to a return-to-launch-site trajectory.
Musk has described the odds of success on this first dual-catch attempt as “more likely than not,” noting a steady stream of additional flights is already scheduled if needed. Full recovery would enable rapid inspection, refurbishment, and reflight—slashing costs and supporting the high launch cadence required for Starlink expansion, lunar missions, and eventual Mars settlement.
As Musk put it, this is “the critical breakthrough needed to make life multiplanetary.”
Elon Musk
Tesla Cybercab is set to get some massive improvements
Tesla Cybercab is going to get some pretty substantial updates, including improvements to efficiency and a new color.
CEO Elon Musk said in a post on X on Saturday that Tesla would be working to refine the Cybercab even more, following the announcement during the week that the company would eliminate the Cybertruck lines within Giga Texas for more Cybercab manufacturing capacity.
“There are efficiency improvements coming that will allow for a 40kWh Cybercab pack,” Musk posted on X. “We will make this in liquid silver, so the colors are not too monotonous.”
There are efficiency improvements coming that will allow for a 40kWh Cybercab pack. We will make this in liquid silver, so the colors are not too monotonous.
The biggest thing most people fail to understand is that there are a very limited number of smart, dedicated people! They can only do so many things.
If we have to maintain a complex production line, supply chain and allocate engineering for Cybertruck, we can’t use those people or factory space and machinery for scaling Cybercab, which is the vehicle that will PROFOUNDLY transform the world of terrestrial transport!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 7, 2026
A new, more efficient model of the Cybercab will be engineered, which will only help Tesla’s profitability and margins, and it also boosts the argument for why the Cybertruck should be discontinued, at least from a business perspective.
The current Cybercab that operates in the Robotaxi platform in Austin, Texas, has a 48 kWh pack, and it sounds like Musk believes Tesla is on its way to introducing a version that has fewer cells but can manage the same workload thanks to engineering efficiencies.

Credit: Tesla
Musk also doubled down on the decision to prioritize Cybercab production over Cybertruck, which is a decision that has been extremely polarizing within the community, and many fans have made it abundantly clear that they are not particularly pleased with the plans.
“If we have to maintain a complex production line, supply chain, and allocate engineering for Cybertruck, we can’t use those people or factory space and machinery for scaling Cybercab, which is the vehicle that will PROFOUNDLY transform the world of terrestrial transport,” Musk said.
A good look at Tesla’s new Liquid Silver Cybercab, planned with a 40 kWh battery pack following new improvements
😍 https://t.co/IUYsUcCBMs
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) November 8, 2026
Cybercab is obviously Tesla’s path forward in an automotive sense. It seems that Tesla is less concerned about catering to the passenger vehicle market and is more prone to focus on transforming passenger transportation in a way that prioritizes autonomy. However, this requires some sacrifice on Tesla’s end, and the Cybertruck is unfortunately a victim of this.
Cybercab holds an extremely crucial part of Tesla’s future. With the company already revolutionizing passenger transportation once, this is the next phase, and Cybercab is the path forward.















