Saudi-backed Lucid Motors has introduced a new “super-sports” brand named Sapphire under which it will sell an ultra-high-performance answer to the Tesla Model S Plaid.

Lucid described the tri-motor Lucid Air Sapphire as “the world’s first fully electric luxury super-sports sedan” and its specifications are suitably high.

The Saudi-backed brand says the $US249,000 vehicle will deliver 1,200 horsepower for acceleration from 0-60mph in under 2 seconds, and from 0-100mph in under four seconds. The Sapphire will also be able to manage a sub-nine seconds quarter mile and a top speed in excess of 320km/h.

Three motors will deliver the necessary power to accomplish these headline-level features, with a new twin motor rear-drive unit and a single motor front-drive unit. Each of the motors will incorporate the company’s microjet stator cooling and wave winding, while the twin rear-drive unit will also feature a new heat exchanger technology and heightened coolant rate.

The car’s battery system is also being upgraded for higher power and more precise thermal logic.

“With three state-of-the-art electric motors – all developed and manufactured in-house by Lucid – Lucid Air Sapphire reaches an entirely new level of performance,” said Eric Bach, Lucid Group’s senior vice president of product and chief engineering, who also boasted of its “limo-like rear legroom, a voluminous trunk and frunk, and impressive efficiency.”

The Lucid Air Sapphire has obviously been designed, at least in part, as a track-capable racer – though the $US249,000 price tag probably already made that clear.

Featuring stiffer front and rear springs, a unique set of damper settings, stiffer brushings, and a unique tuning for ABS, traction, stability control, and electronic power steering, the Sapphire also features standard carbon ceramic brakes which help to deliver impressive (and necessary) stopping power.

The Sapphire also rides on what Lucid has described as “ultra-high performance staggered Aero Sapphire wheels” which include specially developed Michelin PS4S tires, sized 265/35R20 at front and 295/30R21 in the rear. The wheels also feature removable carbon-fibre aero disk wheel covers which can further optimise the aerodynamics of the car.

Exactly what the range or battery specifications will be for this “first fully electric luxury super-sports sedan” is unclear.

Given that the Sapphire appears to be an advanced version of the company’s Lucid Air – which itself is billed as “the longest-range, fastest-charging electric car on the market” and whose Grand Touring model boasts an estimated EPA range of 830km – one would assume similar figures.

Reservations will open in the US on Tuesday August 23.

Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.

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