Lucid Air Sapphire first drive: An all-electric work of art that’s almost too f’ing fast… almost
FINALLY YA’LL! Nearly two years after its initial announcement, we drove the 1,234 horsepower Lucid Air Sapphire in all its tri-motor glory. Spoiler alert! It did not disappoint. This EV is a masterclass in power and efficiency, setting the bar for a new breed of vehicles that are as fast as they are luxurious. Peep the full video review at the bottom.
Lucid Motors continues to gain notoriety in the EV space for its industry-leading efficiency and in many cases, bonkers performance specs. All of those accolades have come from just one model so far – the Air sedan.
While the American automaker is still looking to find its stride in brand recognition to boost sales of its flagship vehicle, it is not from a lack of effort. All variants of the Air sedan are impressive, delivering some of the best range in the entire industry, all within a sleek and luxe 924V package.
We recently saw Lucid roll out its 2024 model year versions of the Air, which now includes a RWD version of its entry-level Air Pure and a range-boosted Grand Touring. We’ll save thoughts on those versions for another day (although we did just drive them both).
Today’s focus is on the pinnacle of Lucid’s current portfolio and arguably of all mass-produced passenger EVs – the Air Sapphire. This exclusive tri-motor variant was first announced in the summer of 2022 with some redonkulous performance specs. We’re talking 0-60 mph in 1.98 seconds (from a standstill, mind you), 0-100 mph in under 4 seconds, and a top speed of 205 mph.
If you’re asking yourself why that sort of acceleration is necessary, first off, you’re a fool, and second, because Lucid has the technological prowess to do so. This halo EV is a major flex – not built for the average consumer (it does cost $250k after all), but exists as an exercise in futuristic all-electric performance.
I’d argue it’s also a nod to another American EV automaker (and any other automaker for that matter) saying, “That’s right, look what we can f@$king do. Top that.”
It’s not my place to choose a winner in the equation, but my career does put me in an excellent position where I get to test out insane rides like the Lucid Air Sapphire and report back to you lovely readers.
If you’ve read my work before (you better have!), you may recall I’ve been calling out the Lucid team directly every single time I cover the Air Sapphire, asking begging them to give me a chance to drive it. Finally, that opportunity came my way, and I made sure to document my genuine reactions as I put the accelerator to the floor for the first time… then again, and again, and again. Here are my thoughts.
The Lucid Air Sapphire is the fastest thing I’ve ever been in
We got invited to the Bay Area to tour the Lucid Motors design studio and test-drive all the 2024 Air models, including the Sapphire. While I was interested in testing out all variants of the Air, I was genuinely clamoring to get into Sapphire, and the Lucid team must have known it because they put me in that bad boy first (thanks, team).
Right out of the parking lot, the acceleration of the Lucid Air Sapphire was undeniable—so much so that I missed my first turn on the planned route and drove about four miles in the wrong direction without even noticing. This was a theme for me throughout the day, and I swear I have proper navigation skills. I was simply more focused on putting Sapphire through some windy roads and wide-open straightaways around Half Moon Bay.
What can I say that has yet to be shared? Is Sapphire fast? Probably the fastest… at least from what I’ve experienced. However, that is just one simple element of this dynamic sedan. The overall ride is unapologetically smooth at any speed, from any angle, and in any of the three drive modes… as long as you know what you’re doing.
This is only a vehicle for someone with adequate driving experience, both in EVs and in general. It’s a wild stallion of a vessel that will try to buck you off of it at every turn if you’re not careful. I was living for it, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t puckered a few times.
As you’ll see in my video review below, the first proper straightaway delivered visible shock in my body language as I tightened up and shortened my neck like a turtle trying to hide. I thought 1,111 horsepower in the Dream Edition was wild when I experienced Air for the first time back in 2021, but Lucid’s Sapphire edition takes it to a whole other echelon.
Yeah, I broke some speed laws, but how could you not when you get an opportunity like this one? Be cool, and don’t snitch; I was safe. I promise. Whether from a standstill or already in motion, the pure speed of this EV is unmatched, giving you the freedom to overtake any vehicle whenever you want with zero delay.
Aside from the acceleration, I was in awe of the Sapphire’s handling. It’s sticky as hell, as proved by miles of winding wet roads surrounded by redwoods in California. The Alcantara seats and steering wheel offered plenty of comfort while driving, and you know I had those air-conditioned seats to keep my back cool during my adrenaline-fueled ride.
I did notice that the Sapphire’s cabin was not as quiet as the other Lucid Air variants, but it wasn’t a huge difference. While I tested out all three drive modes of the sedan, I actually found myself in the lowest “Smooth” mode the most – that was more than enough speed for me. If you’re always driving this thing in Sapphire mode, you’re either a maniac or belong in Formula E… or both.
This is one of the rare instances in all my drives where it’s challenging to relay how impressive the drive of the Lucid Air Sapphire is. It’s something you have to experience for yourself. To aid in my demonstration of its power, I put together a little video of my experience, complete with expressions of fear, thrill, and pure elation.
The Lucid Air Sapphire is available now for a price of $249,000. Here’s my video for your viewing pleasure:
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Royal Enfield’s eagerly anticipated electric motorcycles, unveiled late last year under the Flying Flea brand, are now confirmed to hit the market early next year. Eicher Motors Managing Director B. Govindarajan narrowed down the release window, confirming that the two models currently in testing, the FF-C6 and S6, will debut in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2026, corresponding to January through March 2026.
The announcement provides a clear timeline for eager e-motorcycling enthusiasts who have closely followed Royal Enfield’s pivot to electric mobility. Previously, the company had remained relatively tight-lipped about exact launch dates and even many of the upcoming bikes’ key specs, only hinting that the electric motorcycle project was progressing steadily.
The Flying Flea name is a historical nod, reviving memories of Royal Enfield’s lightweight motorcycle originally used during World War II for airborne operations. Just like its iconic namesake, the new Flying Flea electric motorcycles are expected to be compact, accessible, and user-friendly, aiming at urban commuters and younger riders seeking a blend of heritage styling with modern electric propulsion.
The FF-C6 and S6 represent two distinct offerings within Royal Enfield’s electric lineup, signaling an ambitious start for the company’s electrification strategy. While specific technical details remain scarce, previous hints suggest that the models will prioritize practicality, affordability, and moderate performance suited to daily commuting rather than high-end, performance-oriented segments.
However, with a dearth of solid specs regarding power, range, or pricing, it’s too soon to tell how warmly the bikes may be received during their upcoming launch.
This cautious yet clear step into electric mobility aligns with Royal Enfield’s traditional ethos of delivering approachable motorcycles that combine classic design with dependable performance.
The company, owned by Eicher Motors, has enjoyed success internationally over the last decade, particularly with models like the Classic 350, Meteor 350, and Himalayan, which have resonated strongly with both new and experienced riders. The Flying Flea line is likely destined for international markets as well, though may launch solely in India first as Royal Enfield works to ramp up production.
Royal Enfield’s venture into electric motorcycles also follows a strategic €50 million investment by Eicher Motors into Stark Future, a cutting-edge electric motorcycle startup based near Barcelona, which likely helped Royal Enfield’s technical team.
For example, at the Flying Flea brand’s worldwide unveiling at the Milan Motorcycle Show last year, one of the company’s driving prototypes was spotted using several Stark VARG powertrain components to complete a working model for demonstration.
With electric motorcycles rapidly gaining popularity worldwide due to their efficiency, lower maintenance costs, and environmental advantages, Royal Enfield’s entry into this market comes at an opportune time. The company’s robust global presence and dedicated fan base provide a solid foundation for launching these models successfully.
With the success of relatively smaller electric motorcycles compared to the struggles of larger sport bike e-motorcycle companies, the Flying Flea appears positioned for a more welcoming market.
Given Royal Enfield’s knack for delivering motorcycles with a blend of nostalgic aesthetics and modern functionality, expectations are high for the FF-C6 and S6 to carve out their own distinct niche in the electric two-wheeler market. For now though, fans are still eagerly awaiting more information and details regarding the performance and price of the upcoming electric two-wheelers.
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![XPeng just teased its next-generation P7 sedan and it is SLEEK [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/XPeng-P7-Gen-2-top.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
It’s been less than a month since XPeng Motors began teasing a new camouflage sedan codenamed the E29. This morning (or this evening if you’re in China), XPeng unveiled the mystery sedan as its next-generation P7. This vast redesign of the Chinese automaker’s flagship BEV sedan is a bona fide stunner, and makes me wish I could drive one of my own in the US.
The P7 debuted at the Shanghai Auto Show in 2019 as XPeng’s first sedan and its second production model behind the now-discontinued G3 SUV. It was also the first XPeng model I ever drove during a trip to the Netherlands in 2022.
In its first two years of production, which began in 2020, XPeng built over 100,000 units of its flagship sedan, and the sport vehicle has remained a pillar in its global sales. Since its launch in China, we’ve seen XPeng deliver a 2023 refresh called the P7i and the P7+, complete with pure camera vision ADAS, which launched last fall as “the world’s first AI car.”
According to an internal letter sent out by XPeng founder, chairman, and CEO He Xiaopeng last December, the Chinese automaker has big plans for 2025 and beyond. It aims to become a globally recognized brand with a presence in over 60 countries by the end of the year.
The internal letter also stated XPeng’s plans to launch a new or facelifted model nearly every quarter in 2025. In Q1, we saw the debut of the G7 SUV, starting at an ultra-competitive price of around $34,000 in China. Since then, XPeng has been teasing another new model, codenamed “E29,” spotted driving around Guangzhou, where XPeng is headquartered, in camouflage last month.
Today, XPeng confirmed the E29 is not a bespoke model, but instead a completely new generation of the P7, dreamt up by Chief Designer Rafik Ferrag, who led the creation of the original 2020 model. Have a look:
XPeng shares first images of its stunning new P7 design
XPeng shared the initial images seen above alongside a brief press release outlining its exciting new design language as explained by its designer, Rafik Ferrag, who began teasing the new model on his own social media accounts earlier this week:
I’m very excited that the first official pictures and video are now visible to everyone. The original P7 was a milestone for XPENG and a turning point in China’s EV landscape. With this new generation, we set out to design a pure electric sports sedan that could amaze at every angle. This car is our dream—refined through countless iterations. In my eyes, the all-new XPENG P7 is a work of art, shaped with emotion and purpose.
The Chinese automaker explained that the new 5-seat P7 coupe reflects Ferrag’s “evolving design philosophy” and has been in development for the past five years. XPeng founder He Xiaopeng called it a “major upgrade” for the brand’s next leap in BEV technology, blending AI with luxury and the company’s new Turing Smart Driving system.
What specific technology the next-generation P7 holds remains unknown to the public at this time, but we were told more details will be revealed later. For now, we have our first official peek at this new futuristic model and a teaser video, which you can view below.
If the new P7 represents XPeng’s design language going forward, there should be many more exciting reveals in 2025 and beyond as the brand continues to expand into a globally recognized name.
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