New US car company Lucid Motors has revealed a camouflaged version of its first car, an all-electric sports saloon.
Set to be built in Arizona, Lucid says it hopes to create a ‘vehicle to lead a new era of luxury mobility’, with production of the first model slated for 2018.
But before that, Lucid has been testing a prototype version of the new car's forthcoming powertrain in a delivery van named Edna – which is spacious enough to allow engineers to retrofit components with as little modification as possible.
Under the van’s skin are two electric motors, two sets of power electronics, two gearboxes, one battery capable of storing 87 kWh of energy and outputting over 900 horsepower, plus all of the software to make the components tick. Edna aided Lucid to test various aspects of the powertrain system, including motor control algorithms, regenerative braking behaviours, accelerator pedal feel, and cooling strategies, to name a few. The van achieved a 0-60mph time of 3 seconds.
Driven by electricity, the new car will be capable of long-range driving and ‘exhilarating acceleration’, while electrification allows for generous interior space within a midsize footprint. The new car will have automated driving systems, ‘natural voice’ interactions, and intuitive user interfaces. Whether sitting in the front or back, onboard intelligence is promised to deliver a 'uniquely personal experience unlike any other currently on the road', says Lucid.