Motor trend Lucid Gravity review with Kyle Conner

[Bunnylebowski]

View attachment 33128

You weren’t kidding about the android system. My gravity crashed today. I can see the android recovery screen now.

Dude. Reminds me of when old MACs had a fatal drive error and it would be a pic of a floppy disk with an X and sad face haha. Glad your center is Natick, Steve and Johnathan will take care of you but that sucks, hopefully fixed soon. Guessing you need a factory reset.

 

[borski]

I wonder if we, the unwashed-masses customers, are even supposed to see that.

Absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt, not. This is a bad crash and needs service, almost certainly, if it isn’t fixed with a sleep.

 

[Ron_Burgundy]

Did that happen when you got in the car (like the black screen boot up gone wrong?) or some other time? Seems to have only impacted infotainment, as it should, but curious as to what was happening just before you entered the Matrix.

 

[Ironhorse]

Got in the car in the AM - all screens were blank. Waited 30s.. no change, so rebooted (10s). This time the system didn't come back as expected. Called SC and per their direction I let the system sleep for 10-15 mins. Tried to wake up again and still no dice.

Car is with SC now - they are looking into it.

However, in the interest of science, I observed the following

1. Car was drivable (R / P/ D) . However did not foster confidence. While still in park, I got the rear steer failed error, and the hot coffee icon ( driver error?) . Coffee icon went away but rear steer error was permanent (you can see on the video below).
2. Perhaps it is just my perception, but without the screens
   1. Overall, drivability suffered. I cant pinpoint what exactly, but the handling was off. May be the rear active steering is really that good - or perhaps the car was only working with the front motor. It was a strange feeling.
   2. The ride quality went from ethereal "glide" feeling, to a more, manual, unpolished groaning (for reference, I have a 99 Ducati Monster that struggles to maintain anything above 60MPH and has the same high RPM low torque feeling) I could feel the engine overworking - loud and sluggish. It is hard to describe it. I definitely think the rear drive unit was disengaged (you can see it on the video linked below).
3. While driving to the SC, I had to go past a trailer at a higher speed (70/75) and I started hearing a dim booming type of a sound. Here is a recording - you can hear the sound starting the 10-11 second mark. I could replicate it consistently in multiple stretches and ensured it wasn't being caused by surrounding traffic. The sound was more pronounced when I took the foot off the accelerator pedal. I am not sure if it was due to wind buffeting across the windshield, or motor regen kicking in. This is part of the service request.
4. FWIW My initial hunch was that when the system reboots, the android system looks for the OS boot drive. So perhaps it was stuck trying to read from the USB drive Im using for Halo Secure. I was unable to confirm this hypothesis since the glove compartment was closed and the screens were off ... I was not able to open it and remove the USB to check.
5. However, the SC tried to look up similar incidents and mentioned that this might be a module change (not sure which module). So looks like my hunch was likely wrong.

Anyhow.

 

[Ironhorse]

FWIW, I could see at least 10-15 Gravitys getting prepped and detailed for delivery.
Lucid folks are awesome. I am just jittery at the moment and really hoping this is a small hurdle.

 

[Ron_Burgundy]

Got in the car in the AM - all screens were blank. Waited 30s.. no change, so rebooted (10s). This time the system didn't come back as expected. Called SC and per their direction I let the system sleep for 10-15 mins. Tried to wake up again and still no dice.

Car is with SC now - they are looking into it.

However, in the interest of science, I observed the following

1. Car was drivable (R / P/ D) . However did not foster confidence. While still in park, I got the rear steer failed error, and the hot coffee icon ( driver error?) . Coffee icon went away but rear steer error was permanent (you can see on the video below).
2. Perhaps it is just my perception, but without the screens
   1. Overall, drivability suffered. I cant pinpoint what exactly, but the handling was off. May be the rear active steering is really that good - or perhaps the car was only working with the front motor. It was a strange feeling.
   2. The ride quality went from ethereal "glide" feeling, to a more, manual, unpolished groaning (for reference, I have a 99 Ducati Monster that struggles to maintain anything above 60MPH and has the same high RPM low torque feeling) I could feel the engine overworking - loud and sluggish. It is hard to describe it. I definitely think the rear drive unit was disengaged (you can see it on the video linked below).
3. While driving to the SC, I had to go past a trailer at a higher speed (70/75) and I started hearing a dim booming type of a sound. Here is a recording - you can hear the sound starting the 10-11 second mark. I could replicate it consistently in multiple stretches and ensured it wasn't being caused by surrounding traffic. The sound was more pronounced when I took the foot off the accelerator pedal. I am not sure if it was due to wind buffeting across the windshield, or motor regen kicking in. This is part of the service request.
4. FWIW My initial hunch was that when the system reboots, the android system looks for the OS boot drive. So perhaps it was stuck trying to read from the USB drive Im using for Halo Secure. I was unable to confirm this hypothesis since the glove compartment was closed and the screens were off ... I was not able to open it and remove the USB to check.
5. However, the SC tried to look up similar incidents and mentioned that this might be a module change (not sure which module). So looks like my hunch was likely wrong.

Anyhow.

Two thoughts:

1) Driving dynamics - when my car was stuck on standard and air suspension wasn’t responsive and dynamic handling wasn’t working, I had the same issue with respect to poor driving dynamics. No noises, etc, but an active air suspension and rear wheel drive definitely helps the car significantly as it’s noticeable when not engaged. Makes me wonder what the drive will feel like on the Touring…

2) Coffee cup icon - it’s the icon for the “drowsy driver alert”. However, feels more appropriate for a “drowsy Gravity software” alert at this point…

 

[bryway]

Interesting review. Not as polished as some of the more well known bloggers but view comes off a little more real and like if I was out spending time driving around in a new car and discovering things for the first time, learning how things work, finding things that are cool and finding things not so cool. For us still waiting on our Gravity, a decent view of what our early experience might be like.

Agree. He's not as polished as some of the other automotive-focused YouTubers, but I actually think that's a plus, as he reads way more authentic. He also doesn't have corporate sponsors yet, which can sometimes muddy or outright steer opinion, so another plus there. He shelled out his own money for his Gravity, and in the video covering 'delivery day' he was scared as heck about how much money he laid out. That was a genuine reaction. He's giving the public a first-hand view of new ownership -- all the wins and challenges associated with being an early adopter of the Gravity. I'm a subscriber and look forward to seeing more from him

 

[Elfin]

Android Automotive is, by far, the most common software stack for vehicle infotainment.

That sounds like an argument against using it. I guess it's a "Nobody ever got fired for buying IBM" situation.

 

[borski]

That sounds like an argument against using it. I guess it's a "Nobody ever got fired for buying IBM" situation.

For a long time, it was kind of the only “modern” automotive stack in town. Now there are more options, but I hear what you’re saying.

Like I said, I have dreams of one day writing a thread-safe vehicle infotainment stack.

 

[Ron_Burgundy]

For all this software talk, has anyone seen the software in the Lamborghini Urus? It feels like it’s using an Amiga 500, complete with whatever Motorola chip Amigas had, to run. And that may be generous. I realize it’s way off topic, but I feel better since an Urus is just a tad more expensive than a Gravity…

Five minutes with that and you’ll think the Gravity’s software is [insert whatever your personal gold standard is].

 

[Ironhorse]

Oh- have you seen the new BMW and Mercedes ui that they just released ?
Atrocious.

 

[electric]

For all this software talk, has anyone seen the software in the Lamborghini Urus? It feels like it’s using an Amiga 500, complete with whatever Motorola chip Amigas had, to run. And that may be generous. I realize it’s way off topic, but I feel better since an Urus is just a tad more expensive than a Gravity…

Five minutes with that and you’ll think the Gravity’s software is [insert whatever your personal gold standard is].

So, we are just a bunch of spoiled brats....
[run to cancel my Lamborghini Urus order]

 

[Blue Lectroid]

I thought Kyle’s discussion of the current state of Gravity was spot-on. Best overall package of any vehicle in its class with software bugs to work through…and I agree that 9 months in, this should not be the case.

I love Lucid, drive an AGT that is near perfect in every way (including software, IMHO), but man oh man, the harm this Company does to itself with software bugs is just tragic.

I have no doubt they will get through it, but it’s why the Gravity I have on order is Lunar Titanium and my AGT was a 2025…

 

[Ironhorse]

Quick update on my gravity (from the SC)

1. For the android screen issue : They had to do a clean install - still in diagnostics- but SC tech mentioned that it's working well now. I can see they applied 3.3.2 twice after the refresh, and looks like the second time the size was smaller (I could see the update size momentarily on the app). Tech mentioned that is the code patch that the dev team applied remotely. Hunch - this may be the fix / advance fix my car is receiving due to the Android crash.
2. I had identified a rattle - and they seem to have located and addressed it.
3. The biggest issue is the key Fob not being recognized - apparently the NFC module was not functioning / or was functioning sporadically (wires were frayed). That's why it wouldn't recognize the key fob, and for me at least, absolutely never recognized the key card. The new NFC module is being shipped and hopefully that solves the core issue.

I will test and post about all the items once I get the vehicle back (which looks like next week now).

I also saw the Notch EV update today with the exact same error I had (fob / and card not being recognized) and perhaps the NFC module needs to be looked at closely across the board.

Edit : The SC has been great and helpful. Very understanding. FWIW I am driving the Air touring and have found absolutely none of the issues from the Gravity. Even the car play works quite well ..that was like 80% of my use case to begin with.

 

[borski]

The biggest issue is the key Fob not being recognized - apparently the NFC module was not functioning / or was functioning sporadically (wires were frayed). That's why it wouldn't recognize the key fob, and for me at least, absolutely never recognized the key card. The new NFC module is being shipped and hopefully that solves the core issue.

I'm guessing this was the center console wiring harness pinch issue.

 

[Ironhorse]

I'm guessing this was the center console wiring harness pinch issue.

Yeah.. definitely seems like that. Hopefully the ones being assembled now won't have that issue.

 

[Ron_Burgundy]

Yeah.. definitely seems like that. Hopefully the ones being assembled now won't have that issue.

If that is the issue, it’s promising they think they can simply replace a module versus the whole center console. Mic easier fix, though I expect it will take several days or a week to get the module. Keep us posted.

 

[jace]

As I said, Air's software was a mess for a good two years. I think Gravity's will improve a lot faster since it's their main vehicle now. I hope mine comes in before year's end.

I deferred my GDE as I wasn’t ready for the software bugs yet. Going to ride out my Rivian lease and hope they work it out. Having CarPlay from day 1 is a must for me. Lucid at least let me change my order back to a Grand Touring, sounds like the tech package is delayed so that should help push my order out for several months

 

[Ron_Burgundy]

I deferred my GDE as I wasn’t ready for the software bugs yet. Going to ride out my Rivian lease and hope they work it out. Having CarPlay from day 1 is a must for me. Lucid at least let me change my order back to a Grand Touring, sounds like the tech package is delayed so that should help push my order out for several months

Makes sense. My wife insisted we defer our second GGT as she saw some of the bugs in mine and didn’t want to deal with them.

One question though. If CarPlay is a must in day 1, what do you in the Rivian?

 

[jace]

Makes sense. My wife insisted we defer our second GGT as she saw some of the bugs in mine and didn’t want to deal with them.

One question though. If CarPlay is a must in day 1, what do you in the Rivian?

Cry.
Every day.
Cry.