Supernal vertiport pavilion at CES 2024, located in the Diamond
parking lot next to the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention
Center, where the Hyundai S-A2 concept was on display. Image Credit:
Edmund Jenks - EVHNews (2024)
Supernal: AAM eVTOL Air Taxi Concept Reveal at CES 2024
At CES 2024, Supernal showcased its ambitious efforts in human passenger air
transportation. The standalone pavilion highlighted the company's substantial
financial backing and its goal of revolutionizing short-hop air travel within
metropolitan areas. Plans were in motion to replicate the display at the
Hyundai Motor Group campus in Southern California to attract additional
partnerships and promotional support.
The direction of this venture became clearer amid escalating investments in
the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector. Forecasts suggested that by 2030,
urban air transport could rival the largest airlines in some aspects. Flights
would be notably shorter, averaging just 18 minutes, and accommodate fewer
passengers—typically one to six individuals alongside a pilot. AAM operations
could potentially dwarf conventional airlines, with projections indicating
around 20,000 flights per day for AAM operators compared to 2,200 for the
largest airlines.
Supernal, Hyundai Motor Group's AAM company, has unveiled S-A2, its
eVTOL vehicle product concept at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES)
2024, taking place in Las Vegas, 9-12 January, 2024. Image Credit:
Edmund Jenks - EVHNews (2024)
Supernal's latest innovation, the S-A2, marked a significant milestone in its
journey towards commercializing safe, efficient, and affordable everyday
passenger air travel. Building upon the S-A1 concept introduced at CES 2020,
the S-A2 seamlessly merged cutting-edge aerospace engineering with Hyundai
Motor Group's automotive design ethos. The aim was to redefine urban
transportation, promising swift and seamless journeys from point A to point B.
With plans to enter the market by 2028, Supernal was diligently working
towards achieving commercial aviation safety standards while also streamlining
the manufacturing process to ensure affordability and scalability of its
vehicles. This concerted effort underscored the company's commitment to
reshaping the future of urban mobility through innovative aerial solutions.
“Supernal’s product concept vehicle is the result of the creativity
and hard work of our world-class team. S-A2 is designed to take full
advantage of emerging electric powertrain advancements that will
define the next generation of aviation,” commented Ben Diachun,
Chief Technology Officer, Supernal (pictured). “From here, we will
develop this concept into a revolutionary commercial product.” Image
Credit: Edmund Jenks - EVHNews (2024)
S-A2, the V-tail aircraft, is meticulously engineered with a distributed
electric propulsion system, boasting eight all-tilting rotors to ensure
efficient flight. It's tailored for urban operations, cruising at 120
miles-per-hour at a 1,500-foot altitude, catering to trips ranging from 25
to 40 miles. With noise levels comparable to a dishwasher during take-off
and landing (65 dB) and even quieter during horizontal cruising (45 dB), it
prioritizes passenger comfort and environmental impact.
Safety is paramount in its design, adhering to global aviation standards
with redundant components in critical systems like powertrain, flight
controls, and avionics. Hyundai's mass production expertise ensures quality
and cost-effectiveness without compromising safety. Additionally, the
vehicle is designed for modularity and upgradability, particularly
concerning battery technology, to stay aligned with evolving advancements.
“From the beginning, Supernal has been on a mission to create the
right product and the right market at the right time,” said Jaiwon
Shin, President of Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of Supernal. “The
unveiling of S-A2 demonstrates our unwavering commitment to
deliver on that mission with a safe, efficient vehicle design that
provides a clear path to market entry. By leveraging our talented
600-person team, the vast technical and business capabilities of
Hyundai Motor Group and trusted aviation suppliers around the
world, Supernal is ready to deliver a new era of flight.” Image
Credit: Edmund Jenks - EVHNews (2024)
In terms of aesthetics, Supernal collaborated with Hyundai's automotive
designers to merge functionality with captivating design. The cabin features
distinct sections for pilots and passengers, delineated by color palettes
and materials. Aviation-grade, energy-absorbing components integrated into
the seat frames enhance both safety and design. Dynamic lighting enhances
the spatial perception of the cabin and provides essential visual cues
throughout the flight phases.
Luc Donckerwolke, President, Chief Design Officer, and Chief Creative
Officer at Hyundai Motor Group, describes S-A2 as the epitome of blending
automotive and aerospace expertise to create a human-centric design
prioritizing passenger experience and safety. Leveraging Hyundai's
experience in designing efficient vehicles and award-winning electric cars,
the S-A2 integrates cutting-edge passenger experience and automotive design
principles.
Yamaha unveils the world’s first hydrogen-powered outboard for recreational boats in collaboration with Regulator Marine and Roush at the Miami International Boat Show. Image Credit: Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (2024)
Yamaha, Regulator Marine, and Roush: Miami International Boat Show Host's First Unveiling Of Hydrogen-Powered Outboard Engine
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. on February 14, 2024, at the Miami International Boat Show, unveiled the world’s first hydrogen-powered outboard for recreational boats along with a prototype fuel system integrated into a vessel that the company plans to further refine for testing later this year. The effort is part of Yamaha’s strategy to achieve carbon neutrality: deploying multiple technology solutions.
Yamaha joined forces with Roush to develop the fuel system to power the new outboard and collaborated with long-time boat builder partner Regulator Marine to build a boat suitable for testing the prototype outboard. Together, the companies plan to begin testing the protype for viability on the water in the summer of 2024.
“Yamaha is exploring all possibilities to achieve carbon neutrality, and we’ve made commitments for our operations to be carbon neutral by 2035 and our products to become carbon neutral by 2050. That goal within the marine market can only be reached through an approach that leverages multiple solutions. We believe hydrogen is a viable method of achieving these goals,” said Ben Speciale, President, Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit. “Yamaha wants to be a leader in this space, and we encourage others in the marine industry to become involved as we look for ways to build infrastructure and new policy around innovations.”
The information in the above plates is based on currently available data and may not be entirely accurate. Specific details might change as the engine development progresses. Images: My Electric Sparks (2024)
By working with Roush on the fuel system engineering, Yamaha gains the benefit of more than two decades of hydrogen systems integration and research.
“When you look at Roush’s history with hydrogen, it ranges from land speed record vehicles to spacecraft. A lot of that knowledge we’ve acquired over the years we are now applying directly to this Yamaha project,” said Matt Van Benschoten, Vice President, Advance Engineering, Roush. “We are the fuel systems integrator, responsible for fuel systems designs, all of the specifications development, physical integration, safety system analysis as well as testing and development. Yamaha is trying to determine if hydrogen can successfully be used in this market, and I think we will find out the answer is ‘yes.’”
Regulator Marine built a hull based on the 26XO and modified it to accommodate the hydrogen tanks necessary to power the new outboard. Together, Yamaha, Regulator and Roush displayed the boat hull, fuel system and outboard to demonstrate how hydrogen could work as a possible fuel source in a marine environment. Also, the effort allows engineers to begin the process of determining marine standards for the use of hydrogen in vessels.
“If we don’t look for a new source, we won’t find a new source. Innovation starts by asking questions. It creates a little angst, but at the end of the day good stuff comes out of innovation,” said Joan Maxwell, President, Regulator Marine. “In the future, as we design boats, if this proves what we think it will, it could be very possible that we are designing hulls around these hydrogen fuel tanks.”
“Through our relationship with Regulator Marine, we have the ability to test our prototype in a premium boating environment that reflects Yamaha’s brand position, and we have the ability to lead the way in the development of hydrogen as a fuel source in marine environments,” continued Speciale. “We’re excited to watch this project develop and look forward to taking the next steps.”
Yamaha announced the hydrogen outboard project last December. Further demonstrating the company’s commitment to a multi-technology approach to carbon neutrality, Yamaha recently announced plans to acquire all shares of electric outboard company Torqeedo.® In addition, Yamaha continues to promote the use of sustainable fuels within internal combustion outboard engines as another alternative.
Please visit yamahamarinemedia.com for images and more information about the new hydrogen-powered outboard and fuel system.
Cityscape of the Gulf bordering city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Image
Credit: Image Credit: E1 Series (2024)
Long Time Coming Pays Dividends To UIM E1 World Championship's Team Brady
In Inaugural E1 Race Round
All racing competition series begin with an idea, a form of a racing template
or platform, and eventually place their calculations on the field of play and
have at it. The E1 Electric Boat Racing League is no different.
After over two years (Racebird displayed at CES 2022) of development, concept evolution, formation of both the nature of the
competition and the the team structure/formation, and setting of a schedule
(that had delays) that includes seven event weekends throughout 2024.
Event weekend one - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - happened this last February 2-3,
2024 with qualifications on Friday February 2nd, and the race on Saturday
February 3rd. An announcement was issued that the event was to be televised by
both CBS Sports (North America) and ITV (UK/EU) as its latest television
partners for this inaugural season. Sadly, after a quick search, no proof
exists that LIVE or delayed broadcasts were made available. Any video that was
posted in articles originating in Europe and the Middle East, at the time of
this article development, was blocked from being shown in North America.
First, and only, time winners of the new E1 Series Racebird series.
Image Credit: Image Credit: E1 Series (2024)
Inaugural race report - 3rd - 4th - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - Tom Brady’s
Racebird powerboat team claim inaugural UIM E1 World Championship race in
Jeddah - Emma Kimilainen of Finland and Sam Coleman of Britain, pilots of the
Team Brady entrant, on Saturday clinched the first round of the UIM E1 World
Championship with a convincing victory in Jeddah in front of thousands of fans
on the Red Sea.
Graphic of race central yacht harbor for the Racebird pits and
support happens. Image Credit: E1 Series (2024)
Race circuit as laid out in the Red Sea at Jeddah coastline. Image Credit: E1 Series (2024)
On the final day of racing, the team owned by American Football legend Tom
Brady staged an impressive comeback to beat day-one leaders Team Miami, owned
by singer-songwriter Marc Anthony.
After the first Super Final race, Team Rafa had the lead, followed by Team Miami and Team Brady. The second Super Final race saw a lot more back and forth, as some spray blocked Team Rafa pilot Cris Lazarraga’s view, causing her to cut a corner, which resulted in a penalty in which the team had to choose between a 30-second penalty, or an additional “long lap,” (usually only one per race required).
With the top team penalized, Team Brady took the lead and didn’t let it go in race two. Combined with pilot Emma Kimilainen’s third place in race one, Sam Coleman led Tom Brady’s team to first place in the first E1 GP.
The winning margin was almost 20 seconds with Team Brady clocking in a time of
6.58.51.
Team Miami finished in second, while Kohli’s Blue Rising took third place.
Kimilainen and Coleman revealed their delight at the victory in the first
round and looked forward to continuing their winning spirit in the upcoming
round.
Asked by Arab News how Tom Brady reacted to their victory, Kimilainen said:
“We’ve already had a message through from Tom and he’s super happy with the
win. Both Sam and I are so incredibly proud to represent Tom and we’re pleased
we were able to make history at E1’s inaugural race.”
Prince Sultan bin Fahd bin Salman Al-Saud, chairman of the Saudi Water Sports
and Diving Federation, said at the end of the race: “We are very happy to host
the first round of the E1 series, and believe me it is a success.”
Meanwhile, Saudi rally driver Masahel Al-Obaidan, the lead pilot of Aoki
Racing — which came in at seventh place — was happy to get her first
experience of racing on water under her belt.
“It is been a great experience and I am so glad to represent my country,” she
said.
Rodi Basso, co-founder and CEO of E1, said: “It is been a fantastic two days
here in Jeddah and has surpassed our expectations.”
Meanwhile, Alejandro Agag, co-founder and chair of E1 said: “We have had an
incredible weekend here on the Red Sea. It was a great race and hope the
thousands who attended the race enjoyed the powerboat race.”
The UIM E1 World Championship will take place this May in Venice.
Image Credit: CBS Sports Network via electrek (2024)
Championship standings following the Round 1 Jeddah GP results:
The first professional race cars of the season to hit the Daytona road course track in anger for 2024. Image Credit: IMSA Video (2024)
Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup At Daytona - First Two Races In USA Based Motorsports
2024 Season
Well. here we go, and leave it to the newly Whelen sponsored Mazda
MX-5 Cup entry ladder into the higher levels of IMSA Sportscar series season
racing, to open up the season in typical, exciting, door to door, close quarters
action.
IMSA Report #1:
Wagner Leads Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Train Of Cars Across Daytona Finish
Line
The absolute first race of the professional racing series was held on
Thursday, January 25th and after a very tussled 45 minutes of green flag
racing, 11 cars approached the finish line at Daytona International Speedway
with a shot at winning the first event of the 2024 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup
presented by Michelin series season. When the pack crossed the line and the
timing screens updated, it was Gresham Wagner (No. 5 McCumbee McAleer
Racing) with the win, 0.060-second ahead of Tyler Gonzalez (No. 57 Saito
Motorsports).
In true Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup fashion, even in the final moments of the
race, nobody could predict who the winner would be.
It took a few laps, but the pack of 28 cars that took the green flag
eventually broke into two groups, one of them an 11-car train at the front.
Six different drivers led laps during the race, and that’s only as they
crossed start-finish, the strong draft on Daytona’s high banks caused the
order to change numerous times between turns.
Wagner, who won the very first Mazda MX-5 Cup race at Daytona in 2021,
qualified outside the top 10. His experience at the 3.56-mile roval told him
that would not be a disadvantage.
“It would have before, but you do this enough times and you end up starting
from every spot on the grid,” Wagner said. “I felt like 12th was at least in
the hunt.”
The same could be said for Gonzalez who qualified 14th but was up to fourth
by lap six.
“Last year I won from 18th, so qualifying wasn't an issue. I’d like to say
it’s all skill, but it’s not really here at Daytona,” Gonzalez said. “You
all have to work together.”
In the early stages, BSI Racing teammates Connor Zilisch (No. 72 BSI Racing)
and Selin Rollan (No. 87 BSI Racing/Rollan Racing) worked well together and
held the front two spots, but it was only a matter of time before JTR
Motorsports Engineering swooped in with Jared Thomas (No. 96 JTR Motorsports
Engineering) and Aaron Jeansonne (No. 24 JTR Motorsports Engineering).
BSI team member and Mazda Shootout Scholarship winner Westin Workman (No. 13
BSI Racing) came along to support Zilisch and Rollan, but it all allowed
McCumbee McAleer Racing teammates Jeremy Fletcher (No. 22 McCumbee McAleer
Racing) and Wagner to squeeze their way to the front.
The teamwork happening amongst the pack made for thrilling racing but left
several cars with damaged rear bumpers from all the drafting. Rollan,
Workman and Wagner all had loose bodywork potentially hurting their
aerodynamic performance.
Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup on the Daytona banking, in full song and cooperation during Race 1 of a scheduled 14 race season over seven race weekends. Image Credit: IMSA (2024)
Exiting the Le Mans Chicane on the final lap, it was rookie Julian DaCosta
(No. 78 BSI Racing) who led, but MX-5 Cup veterans know that is the last
place you want to be to take the win. Two trains of cars split DaCosta as
they headed toward the checkered flag.
With a nice push from Gonzalez, Wagner crossed the line first with Gonzalez
second and Fletcher third.
“It is tough, because you don’t want to go too early, and you also don't
want to get hung out if you go out too late,” Wagner said. “I think I did it
with just the right amount of patience. We went two-wide in the bus stop! It
was really hard to stay back and know you had the run coming to the line.
You almost see the race disappear in front of you, and then all of a sudden
coming out of (turn) four it comes back to you. It's an art to race here.
Especially at the front coming to the line.”
Twice a MX-5 Cup winner at Daytona, Gonzalez couldn’t complain about a
runner-up finish this time around.
“Gresham [Wagner] and I worked great for the race, but honestly congrats to
him and his team,” said Gonzalez. “Thank you to my parents and thank you to
Saito Motorsports. I couldn’t lose to a better person honestly, he’s one of
the fastest guys out there.
“All I know is it was a mad dash and I just couldn’t get unhooked from
Gresham’s bumper to pop out and I didn’t want to risk spinning and taking
out the whole field,” Gonzalez said of the finish. “It was a great race,
12th to second—I can't be too mad about that.”
Now in his sophomore season of MX-5 Cup, Fletcher was thrilled to get his
first podium at the storied Daytona International Speedway, even if he spun
after the finish line.
“It’s definitely an amazing feeling,” Fletcher said. “I can’t thank the MMR
guys enough for the car they supplied me. After a tough rookie season, it is
great to accomplish this. It is amazing to have teammates like I do. I ended
up crossing the line backwards, but during the race I felt more secure and
it was good to be in that lead pack. I was in a good spot and waited through
the bus stop and then just shot my shot.”
Jeansonne just barely held on to fourth place, crossing the finish line
0.003-second head of Zilisch.
There’s sure to be more of the same in the second half of the MX-5 Cup
doubleheader at Daytona. Friday’s Round Two race will go green at 10:15am ET
with live coverage on RACER.com.
IMSA Report #2:
Different day, same task for Race 2 of the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup at Daytona race weekend. Image Credit: IMSA (2024)
Nate Cicero Wins Second Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Race At Daytona After
Explosive Last Lap
Reigning Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin Rookie of the Year and
former MX-5 Cup Shootout winner Nate Cicero (No. 83 McCumbee McAleer)
survived a last lap frenzy to win at Daytona International Speedway on
Friday. He was closely followed across the finish line by his teammate
Jeremy Fletcher (No. 22 McCumbee McAleer Racing) making it a McCumbee
McAleer Racing 1-2.
The second Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup race at Daytona played out much like the
first, as the draft was key once again ahead of a scrappy final lap.
Connor Zilisch (No. 72 BSI Racing) had an incredible opening lap, going from
11th to fourth. Two laps later, he was in the lead, at the front of an
eight-car pack.
Not long after, the dangers of Daytona’s high banks were on display. Preston
Pardus (No. 52 Rick Ware Racing), got loose in the draft and hit the wall
exiting NASCAR Turn Four. He bounced back down the track to the infield and
eventually came to a rest near Turn One. Nathan Nicholson (No. 56 JTR
Motorsports Engineering) moved to avoid hitting Pardus, but that turned the
car and sent him into the wall at start/finish.
The first and only full-course caution of the race was issued with Zilisch
still leading the field.
After four laps behind the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup safety car, the green flag
was back on display.
Zilisch continued to lead for several laps afterwards, but his strong
defense came to a sad end when his car’s ABS failed. He locked up his brakes
several times on a single lap before making his way to pit lane.
At the front, Tyler Gonzalez (No. 57 Saito Motorsport), Cicero and Jared
Thomas (No. 96 JTR Motorsports Engineering) were working together to stay up
front.
On the final lap, Cicero led the field into Turn One followed by Thomas and
Westin Workman (No. 13 BSI Racing). Entering Turn Five a chain reaction that
started at the back of the pack ended with Thomas and Workman spinning into
the grass.
Cicero now had a healthy lead going into the Le Mans Chicane, a spot history
says you do not want to be in on the final lap of a Mazda MX-5 race at
Daytona. However, Cicero managed to build enough of a gap to prevent
Gonzalez, Fletcher and Rollan from drafting by him before the checkered
flag.
“I was just watching the mirror the whole time,” Cicero said. “They had a
whole train coming but my spotter was saying I had a 10- or 12-car gap. I
was just hoping we had enough. The MMR car was absolutely on wheels and the
team swept the weekend. To have the DNF yesterday after having such a
strong start, we needed redemption today. It never gets old winning races,
so I’m so happy to do this today.
“I think there was a small crash behind me and so I ended up with a huge
lead and just held on.”
Gonzalez crossed the line in second but was issued a 10-second penalty for
an incident early in the race, bumping him to ninth in the final results.
That gave the runner-up spot to Fletcher, who got his second podium finish
of the weekend.
“It is definitely nice to be consistent here with two podiums,” Fletcher
said. “The car was on fire. I can’t thank the whole McCumbee McAleer team
enough, all my sponsors: The Holster Store, Home Decor and More. It has been
great. On the last lap, going into the Horseshoe I got hit from behind.
Everyone kind of got plowed out of the way. Not sure who it was, but I felt
it! For the rest of the season, hopefully I can stay up front and stay
consistent and start making new drafting buddies.”
Finishing third, Rollan is still waiting to get that elusive Daytona win,
but was happy with third after starting the final lap in 11th place.
“It seemed to be similar to yesterday,” Rollan said. “I tried to get as many
positions as I could. I saw Jared [Thomas] spinning up top, so I just stayed
tight. I got some pushes and I’m happy to be here getting the first podium
for Rollan Racing and BSI.”
Thursday race winner Gresham Wagner (No. 5 McCumbee McAleer Racing) finished
fourth and rookie Noah Harmon (No. 99 Spark Performance) completed the top
five.
Both MX-5 Cup races at Daytona are available to re-watch on the RACER
YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@TheRacerChannel).
Teams have plenty of time to regroup before Rounds 3 and 4 at Sebring
International Raceway, March 13 – 16. For more information visit
www.mx-5cup.com.
Just as one enters the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, a shrouded object greeted all as the signage heralded all to witness the reveal of this eVTOL mobility solution scheduled to be functional and in use by 2025. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2024)
#CES2024 Reveal Of eVTOL XPENG Flying Car
Last week at the #CES2024 consumer technology show in Las Vegas, Xpeng
Aeroht put on a global reveal of a very unique eVTOL solution to open the
show in the West Hall. Xpeng's flying vehicle, named the Land Aircraft
Carrier, stood among other flying vehicles on display. Notably, Xpeng was
the sole company to provide a timeline for the commencement of commercial
sales.
Xpeng Aeroht is set to commence accepting orders for its flying car style
eVTOL solution later this year, as announced by the subsidiary of Chinese
electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng Motors. Deliveries are scheduled to
commence in late 2025.
The Land Aircraft Carrier is a modular vehicle comprising two segments: a
flying module designed for low-altitude transport and a six-wheeled module
for terrestrial use. The initial sales of the vehicle will take place in
China, with a price tag exceeding 1 million yuan ($140,000). Prospective
buyers are expected to have the opportunity to test the vehicles in
specified trial areas before finalizing their purchases.
While many competitors in the industry focus on business and public service
sectors, Xpeng distinguishes itself by targeting the consumer market.
Additionally, at the Las Vegas event, the company showcased a concept
electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) flying car. In contrast to
the Land Aircraft Carrier, this vehicle is a unified unit capable of both
flying and driving.
Brian Gu, co-president of Xpeng Motors, emphasized that the company's
products are tailored for the Chinese market. Xpeng is actively engaged in
discussions with regulators regarding the gradual introduction of flying
cars in the country.
What could possibly capture the old feeling, of the class in an automobile
season opening reveal, of a new manufacturer's model, at the LA Auto Show
Press Day 2023?
Why of course, the first presentation of the day scheduled at the LUCID Motors
booth - 9:00am, during AutoMobility LA in the West Exhibit Hall just to the
right of the glass entry way doors.
LUCID pulled out all of the stops with a fist class presentation pavilion
filled with great introduction music during the countdown leading into an
impressive script and slideshow to introduce LUCID's answer to America's
obsession with the modern day station wagon turned luxury assault vehicle ...
the SUV.
Welcome to the 7 passenger, 3.6 miles per kWh, tow 6000 pounds, haul 1500
pounds, over 440 miles on a single charge - with a smaller battery footprint,
coefficient of drag of less than 0.24, an aerodynamic profile unsurpassed by
any other three-row SUV, all-new platform that shares its powertrain with the
Air sedan, under $80,000 GRAVITY EV SUV.
Introducing the Lucid Gravity: Redefining the Electric SUV
** The new Lucid Gravity heralds the dawn of a new era for electric Sport
Utility Vehicles: an unprecedented combination of attributes previously
unseen in a single vehicle and a projected range in excess of 440 miles.
** Lucid innovations in EV technology and packaging deliver an expansive,
luxurious interior for up to seven adults and their belongings, without
the huge exterior and poor maneuverability often associated with
traditional full-size, three-row SUVs.
** Featuring a brand-new SUV platform and next generation of Lucid’s
award-winning, proprietary electric powertrain, Gravity will deliver an
exhilarating driving experience.
** Lucid proved its capability in producing an extraordinary, acclaimed
luxury EV sedan; now Gravity opens Lucid to the far larger SUV market.
** Lucid Gravity lands in late 2024. As with Lucid Air, pricing for
Gravity will start under $80,000.
Technology breakout of a LUCID powertrain engine. Image Credit:
Edmund Jenks (2023)
Gravity Design: A Balance of Form and Function
“At Lucid, we believe in pushing the boundaries of design. We have leaned
into this belief to maximize spaciousness, aerodynamic efficiency, and
utility, resulting in an electric SUV with a previously unseen blend of
attributes,” said Derek Jenkins, Senior Vice President of Design and Brand at Lucid.
“Whether it’s a cargo-swallowing SUV for family camping trips or a
long-range grand tourer covering hundreds of miles between stops, Gravity
is designed to be versatile. Our team’s dedication to creating an
SUV that seamlessly fuses form and function has resulted in a vehicle
that’s visually striking, incredibly versatile, and provides an elevated
luxury driving experience.”
Lucid’s commitment to design excellence, spacious interiors, and versatility
further sets Gravity apart from the competition. The exterior design choices
are a testament to Gravity’s fusion of aesthetics and utility. A focus on
efficiency has led to a target coefficient of drag of less than 0.24,³ an
aerodynamic profile unsurpassed by other three-row SUVs. With a commanding
presence supported by a substantial frunk, sleek profile, elongated cabin,
pronounced shoulders, and sporty tail spoiler, Gravity showcases its ability
to meet the diverse needs of the daily driver.
Always attempt to design for desire is a LUCID trait. Mid-Mod
meets Aero-Sculpted. Image Credit: LUCID Motors (2023)
Inside, Gravity impresses with ample and flexible cargo areas. The cabin
offers spacious seating, with the added convenience of second and third-row
seats that fold flat to reveal more than 112 cubic feet of total usable
cargo space for an effortless combination of comfort and cargo capacity. The
sliding second row seats combine with integrated convenience tables for an
elevated back-seat experience. Remarkable legroom is carried through to the
third row, enabling a comfortable seven-passenger configuration, making it
the ideal vehicle for every adventure.
Gravity represents a definitive evolution of Lucid’s user interface, called
Clearview Cockpit, featuring an intuitive 34-inch curved and uninterrupted
OLED display that floats above Gravity’s innovative new steering wheel,
closely matched with the driver’s line of sight. Lucid’s Pilot Panel returns
in Gravity with a quick access touch bar and sitting alongside a new glass
center console that elegantly slides open for additional storage. This SUV
also introduces Lucid’s next-generation software with over-the-air updates,
ensuring continued vehicle improvement.
The most classy reveal held during the Automobility LA Press Day for the LA
Auto Show and this one was held as the first automaker presentation of the
day.
This reveal performance was missed by many attendees who showed up late or
were only interested in the art cars and Hollywood Auto Collections that
filled halls that were formally owned by marques like Porsche ... that just
celebrated their 75th year in business through the Rennsport Reunion 7 held at
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, for example.
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