Lucid’s Tesla Model Y competitor (Lucid Earth?): What we expect

Update: ‘Design,’ ‘New platform & components,’ and ‘Price & Release date’ sections revised, and ‘Interior’ added.

Following the Lucid Air in October 2021, the Lucid Gravity, the executive sedan’s SUV stablemate, will go on sale in late 2024. Next in the pipeline from the California-based start-up is a midsize SUV that will directly compete with the Tesla Model Y. Here’s everything we know about the upcoming Lucid EV, which could be christened the Lucid Earth.

Design

The Lucid midsize SUV’s crossover-like character should have a wider appeal globally, including regions where soft designs are more popular with buyers. At the front, the upcoming EV features a sleek, sloping hood with a prominent central ridge and block-lettered brand inscription.

We expect there’s a pair of super-sleek, horizontally laid headlights right below the hood shut line. Lucid Motors prefers elegant and graceful designs, so we don’t see it going for split headlights. An X-shaped apron with a concaved central portion would not surprise us either.

We can already see in the teaser that the Lucid mid-size SUV will have a curvy exterior, which will likely make it more aerodynamic than the Rivian R2 and lead to lower energy consumption. Our renderings give a better idea of the details that could be hiding in the shadowed official image.

On the sides, the Lucid mid-size SUV has a floating roofline, which gives it a dynamic style. The door mirrors and greenhouse are curvy, in line with the sleek look. Unlike on the Lucid Gravity, the beltline on this model swiftly rises towards the end. The door handles are expected to be flush with the body, adding to the streamlined character. The rear-end is a mystery, but the Lucid Gravity could be the template here, sporting a clean and understated look.

Interior

The Lucid mid-size SUV will have a high-tech and spacious interior that gives a futuristic but still comfortable living room-like vibe. A slim dashboard with floating displays in the cockpit area should seamlessly blend with the door panels, and along with an available panoramic glass canopy, would enhance the sense of space in the cabin.

Lucid Motors would try to distinguish the Earth in the mid-SUV segment with rich color schemes and generously used soft-touch materials, beautiful trim surfaces, and class-leading quality. Customers would appreciate the availability of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for conveniently accessing their favorite smartphone apps and functions through the infotainment system while driving.

Specifications

New midsize car platform

During the company’s Q3 2023 earnings call on November 7, 2023, Rawlinson suggested that an all-new mid-size vehicle platform would underpin Lucid’s affordable model. Without announcing details, he stated that the mid-size car would attract a new strata of customers. During the Q2 2024 earnings conference call on August 5, 2024, he confirmed that the future platform would feature a simpler electrical architecture compared to the Air and Gravity.

We have 16 in-house ECUs, all of which are over-the-air updatable and a midsize platform will introduce our next zonal architecture. We will further reduce the number of ECUs down to single-digits.

Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO, Lucid Motors (Q2 2024 earnings conference call on August 5, 2024)

‘Atlas’ motor

Expect the Lucid mid-size SUV to come in RWD and AWD drivetrain (dual-motor) variants. Lucid has confirmed that it is developing a new ‘Atlas’ motor for this model.

The Atlas drive unit produces 335 horsepower, which should be more than sufficient for the base- and mid-configurations that mainly serve customers who value economical pricing and high energy efficiency over exhilarating performance. Lucid Motors has set an ambitious goal of launching an EV with a high efficiency of 6 mi/kWh, and this mid-size SUV could be the one with which it realizes the same. What this means for the owner is fewer charging stops, and lower running costs.

Range & Charging

The Lucid mid-size SUV could deliver an EPA-est. range longer than the Tesla Model Y, between 350 and 400 miles. Lucid Motors will likely equip it with a North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging port in North America, right from launch, to give customers access to the expansive Tesla Supercharger network in the region.

(When) we get to mid-size, we’ll be able to have a competitive range with a relatively tiny battery pack and much less cost than anyone else.

Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO, Lucid Motors (Q2 2024 earnings conference call on August 5, 2024)

Price & Release Date

The Lucid mid-size SUV will retail at under USD 50,000 in the base configuration. At Lucid Motors’ Tech and Manufacturing Day on September 10, 2024, Rawlinson hinted that the company will unveil it in 2025.

We’ll have a proper event (for the Lucid mid-size SUV) maybe sometime next year.

Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO, Lucid Motors (Tech and Manufacturing Day on September 10, 2024)

Manufacturing

Lucid Motors plans to start the production of the mid-size SUV in late 2026 and should commence customer deliveries in the same year. The company will produce the model in the Casa Grande (Arizona) domestic plant, and the overseas factory in King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh (Makkah), Saudi Arabia.

From a product perspective, the Lucid Gravity start of production is scheduled for late 2024 and start of production of our high-volume, midsized platform is scheduled for late 2026.

Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO, Lucid Motors (Q2 2024 earnings conference call on August 5, 2024)

TopElectricSUV says

The introduction of the Lucid Earth will significantly enhance the brand’s accessibility and provide potential Tesla Model Y buyers with a new and compelling vehicle in the segment. With its appealing design, the smaller Lucid SUV could become the most appealing entry in its category, and possibly even the most technologically advanced, thanks to the company’s confirmation of a next-gen powertrain for future models.

Also Read: First Look Review: The Lucid Air impresses with tech, features & sheer presence

Lucid midsize SUV FAQs

Featured Image: TopElectricSUV’s rendering of the Lucid Earth midsize SUV.