US Armor Group unveils armored Lucid Air Sapphire with pepper spray and electric-shock door handles
If you thought Lucid Motors’ 1,234 tri-motor Air Sapphire was elite, threat mitigation specialist US Armor Group has taken the luxury sedan to an entirely new echelon. Today, the company unveiled an armored version of the Lucid Air Sapphire, described as being indestructible. Designed for heads of state and high-ranking executives, it can be equipped with features like bulletproof glass, poison gas protection. Wait until you see the price tag.
If you’re an avid reader of Electrek (you should be), you’re very familiar with our coverage of American automaker Lucid Motors, and its flagship BEV, the Air sedan. In the summer of 2022, Lucid announced a new tri-motor variant of the Air called Sapphire, which can accelerate 0-60 mph in 1.98 seconds (from a standstill), 0-100 mph in under 4 seconds, and a reach top speed of 205 mph – all while delivering over 400 miles of all-electric range.
We got a chance to take the Sapphire for a spin this past April, and it’s hands down the fastest passenger vehicle we’ve ever driven. Its instant torque is not for the faint of heart but a true exercise in the clear benefits of all-electric performance.
Sapphire is outside most people’s price range, at $250,000 fully equipped. However, affluent customers and political leaders can now opt for an armored version of Lucid Air designed to circumvent any threats to the safety of its passengers.
This armored Lucid Air Sapphire costs $475,000
Today, US Armor Group unveiled an “indestructible” armored version of the Lucid Air Sapphire, complete with ballistic windows and lightweight laminated, transparent armor that replaces the factory-installed glass. The armor is capable of stopping a round from a .44 magnum.
US Armor also added lightweight composite armor to the doors, and the rest of the EV provides 360-degree protection inside. The military-grade armor is ten times stronger than ballistic steel yet five times lighter, enabling the speedy sedan to still do its thing on roads without any loss of performance (the upgrade only adds 385 lbs. of weight). US Armor Group founder and CEO Jeffrey Engen spoke about the capabilities of the new armored Lucid Air Sapphire:
At US Armor Group, our mission has always been to protect our clients against any andall potential threats, however we did not want to sacrifice in terms of performance or amenities. With the armored Air Sapphire, our company has taken one of the world’s fastest production vehicles ever built and transformed it into the fastest armored car onthe planet. While the original vehicle was already exceptional, we’ve further enhanced it for clients looking for modern day security solutions. Armoring is important, but for our clients, digital security is also an integral part of their modern-day needs as c-suite executives and business owners. They want to travel in style securely. In today’s modern world, that means full protection from cyber attacks, tracking, and other digital age threats, which are just as dangerous to them in many cases as a physical attack on the vehicle itself.
The armored Lucid Air Sapphire interior features the same luxury materials, with some added security measures. For instance, US Armor Group added an impenetrable internet/WiFi security package to safeguard all sensitive data from hackers, as well as scanners that gather intelligence from over a million sources, including local Police and Fire stations, to stay aware of any potential threats on the road.
The security specialist has also added a one-touch outreach feature that instantly connects them with US Armor Group for assistance using an integrated communication system.
In addition to ballistic glass and a bolstered exterior, US Armor Group says it can add several custom countermeasures to ensure the safety of its customers, including electric-shock door handles, pepper spray dispensers, concealed gun ports, and poison gas protection/detection. It can also add upgraded armor to stop high-powered rifles, grenades, and explosive devices.
Such peace of mind costs a pretty penny, however. Driving off in one of these armored Lucid Air Sapphires will cost at least $475,000. That’s before all of the Batmobile add-ons mentioned above. What do we think? Could we see the POTUS being transported around in a bulletproof Sapphire someday?
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Kia wants your next vacation to be a little greener. The PV5, Kia’s electric van, is getting a new role as a high-end people mover at eco-friendly luxury resorts.
Kia launches PV5 pilot at Red Sea Global’s luxury resorts
You can use the PV5 as a daily driver, delivery van, or even to start a pop-up mobile shop, but now it has found a new use.
Kia launched a new demonstration project on September 29 with Red Sea Global (RSG), one of the developers behind Saudi Arabia’s new gigaprojects.
The project is “the first step toward smarter mobility” as Saudi Arabia aims to break away from its oil-centric economy.
Kia will provide the PV5 Passenger model for the demo, but promises much more is on the way. The Korean automaker will also help train workers, teaching them about electric vehicles, new technology, and other clean energy solutions.
Kia’s electric vans will be used as customized people movers at RSG’s new resorts and wellness tourism complex in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Breaking free from oil opens up a new market
The site, located along the Red Sea, is one of five gigaprojects designed to help the oil-rich nation reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.
Saudi Arabia’s plans, part of its Vision 2030 strategy, include a futuristic new city in Neom, an entertainment complex in Qiddiya, a residential development in Roshn, and a heritage site in Diriyah.
Essentially, Saudi Arabia aims to transition from relying on oil revenue to power its economy to generating profits from tourism.
“Saudi Arabia is a very important market,” Jeong Ho-geun, Executive Vice President of Hyundai Motor Group’s Future Strategy Division, said, adding that the PV5 pilot is likely just the start.
A PV5 cargo designed for resort logistics and a custom PV5 conversion model could also be in the pipeline, the company said, which would be used at RSG’s high-end resorts. The larger PV7 electric van, set to launch in 2027, is “a possibility.”
With the PV5 arriving as a high-end shuttle in Saudi Arabia, will Kia launch it in other countries for use at resorts? It wouldn’t be a surprise.
Kia’s electric van is already rolling out in Europe, South Korea, and other global markets. The PV5 Passenger and Cargo, designed for personal and business use, are available in parts of Europe and South Korea.
During its PV5 Tech Day event over the summer, Kia revealed plans to launch seven new body types, including a “prime” luxury Passenger model, an open bed (similar to a pickup), and even a light camper version. What’s next?
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A video circulating on social media this morning has electric bike fans cheering and Homeland Security officers scratching their heads after a man who is reported to be a delivery rider appeared to evade a group of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Chicago using nothing more than some quick footwork and an e-bike.
The short clip opens on a fairly routine city sidewalk scene, otherwise ordinary except for the group of around a dozen ICE agents, most with faces obscured and wearing a variety of mismatched uniforms and various military-style fatigues. There doesn’t appear to be any active law enforcement incidents or a clear reason for the large force, and the agents seem to be standing idly in a group on the sidewalk. The delivery rider can be seen walking his bike nearby and bending down to pick something up off the ground, which is followed by one of the agents lunging at him to try and grab him.
Startled, the man stumbles away, pushing his delivery e-bike with him and breaking into an awkward, zig-zagging escape. What follows looks more like a low-budget action comedy than a coordinated enforcement effort, as nearly a dozen ICE officers give chase in what looks like a confused herd. The video has been edited to add the Benny Hill theme song, further lightening the mood.
The rider, clearly no stranger to improvisation, darted past the agents while pushing his e-bike, sometimes switching directions to throw them off or using strangers as a screen to evade the officers, before finally hopping into the air and landing butt-first on his bike to zip away. The last few officers continued to chase the rider briefly as he increased the distance, before they eventually abandoned the pursuit and awkwardly returned to the sidewalk. The cyclist pedaled away, perhaps indicating that the likely throttle-enabled e-bike hadn’t even been turned on at the time.
It’s unclear what prompted the attempted stop or if ICE agents were actually targeting the man specifically. Many have pointed out recently that such encounters are typical with ICE agents seen simply stopping people of color, often times delivery workers and other laborers.
One thing is for sure, though: As we’ve often said, e-bikes really may be the fastest way around a city, regardless of whether or not you’re being pursued.
Electrek’s Take
Obviously, if police are attempting to legally detain you, evading is not recommended. We don’t have enough context from the video to determine exactly why the ICE agents suddenly lunged at the man. From the video, the incident appears to have started after a single officer decided to attempt to grab the man, and not because he was the target of an investigation. Recent ICE roundups have been widely accused of selective enforcement, mostly preying upon people of color and in working-class areas.
ICE agents are only legally allowed to stop individuals if they have reasonable suspicion that the person has committed a crime, such as an immigration violation.
Electric bicycles continue to be one of the most effective ways to move quickly and efficiently around urban areas.
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