Look beyond its 1200bhp-plus output if you can – this latest LucidMotors Air’s true torque‑vectoring capabilities give a tantalising taste of how EVs could become genuinely rewarding -
More interesting is the radical shift in philosophy compared to the other models in the Air line-up. These prioritise range and comfort, which creates a unique dynamic identity. On the one hand the fitment of modest tyres and a focus on a fluid, easy-going balance with an unfashionable amount of pitch, roll and dive goes some way towards recreating an enthusiast’s imagined past.
The Sapphire is more conventional in terms of suspension tuning – stiffer, more controlled and with more mechanical grip – but has another tool to exploit that is powerful, novel and compelling: true torque vectoring. Not a nip of the brakes here, or a clutch-based rear differential to divert power side-to-side, but absolute control of each rear wheel via its own motor.
It’s a new dimension that’s layered on top of some significantly revised hardware. For example, new front and rear wings stretch over wider tracks, the Sapphire rides lower and spring and damper rates for the Bilstein suspension are considerably increased. There are subtle but effective aero tweaks to create a bit of positive downforce, plus carbon-ceramic brakes supplied by Akebono and featuring ten-piston calipers.
‘We’ve been tuning the chassis and the algorithms to give what is almost a 3-metre-wheelbase car really good agility and balance at low speed, but a big priority has also been high-speed stability,’ explains John Culliton, senior technical specialist for chassis and vehicle dynamics. ‘But we wanted it to be seamless – totally intuitive.’Perhaps, with time, it is. My initial impression is slightly different.
Yet there is something new here, too. The torque-vectoring is tangible and intriguing. In slower turns it quickly chases understeer away with aggressive over-speeding of the rear axle; through quick turns you can feel it tweaking and cajoling the balance and holding the car in the perfect yaw angle.
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