Lucid Air Sapphire, third motor, over 1,200 hp, 0-60 mph time under 2.0 seconds

If you thought the Lucid Air Dream Edition's 1,111 hp and 2.6 second 0-60 mph time were extreme, try the Lucid Air Sapphire, which was unveiled Friday at Monterey Car Week. The Sapphire adds a third motor, which delivers more than 1,200 hp and reduces the 0-60 mph time to under 2.0 seconds. It will also feature many performance upgrades, making it the brand's best circuit car.

Aimed squarely at the Tesla Model S Plaid, the Lucid Air Sapphire also promises a 0-100 mph time under 4.0 seconds, a quarter mile under 9.0 seconds, and a top speed over 200 mph. Lucid claims it is the most powerful sedan in the world, electric or otherwise.

If it wants to claim better performance than the Plaid, it will need to lap the Nürburgring in under 7:35.579.

The third motor is mounted on the rear axle and adds new heat exchanger technology and higher cooling water flow to handle all the power. The battery system has also been upgraded to handle more power and heat. Each motor has a maximum output of 670 hp, so there is plenty of room for more power. According to Lucid, the actual horsepower numbers will be confirmed at a later date and a demonstration of the car's measured capabilities will be presented.

The car has been developed to be able to stop and corner as well.

"Our goal with this first Sapphire model is to complement its superior powertrain with sharper, more responsive driving dynamics and improved body control. At the same time, it was important to maintain the exceptional ride quality for which Lucid Air has become known."

With that in mind, Lucid engineers stiffened the springs and bushings, tweaked the damper settings, and retuned the ABS, traction and stability control, and electrically assisted power steering. The car also features carbon ceramic brakes and wide Michelin PS4S tires (265/35R20 front, 295/30R21 rear) mounted on staggered Aero Sapphire wheels. The wheels are fitted with carbon fiber covers to enhance the aero effect. However, given the performance upgrades and wider tires, the range is expected to be less than the Air Grand Touring Performance's 445 miles.

The two rear motors also allow for advanced torque vectoring. In fact, according to Lucid, they can deliver torque in opposite directions. The outer wheel can gain power and the inner wheel can apply regenerative braking. According to Lucid, this system works faster, quieter, and more seamlessly than a brake-based setup using rear axle steering.

Lucid also made aerodynamic changes to balance the added downforce with less drag, but the company did not elaborate on those changes.

The release of Sapphire also means the addition of sapphire blue paint, which will adorn all early cars. The brand's Dark Stealth package will also be standard on Air Sapphire models.

On the interior, Air Sapphire will feature a new color theme called Sapphire Mojave. It features a dark color with blue contrast stitching and Mojave dark wood paneling. The interior features thickly bolstered 18-way power seats upholstered in black leather and Alcantara, with heating, cooling, and massage as standard. The steering wheel, upper door panels, and headliner are also covered in Alcantara. Lucid also gives the car a special screen display and unique drive modes and performance settings. Pictured are the Sapphire, Drag Strip, Hot Lap, and Endurance modes, as well as a lap timer.

Pricing for the Air Sapphire starts at $249,000, including delivery. First deliveries will begin in the first half of next year, and prospective buyers can begin taking reservations on August 23. Lucid has stated that the Sapphire version will be added to all future models and will become the brand's performance name.