- Joined
- Jan 6, 2022
- Messages
- 177
- Reaction score
- 324
- Cars
- 2018 Volt, Air GT
Several weeks ago on a visit to Colorado I got a chance to visit some well known canyon roads but was foiled by rain and construction. Even then I found the high regen setting in Swift mode to be unsuited to spirited driving.
Today I returned to my DFW area home after spending the week in the Ozarks. Every year I join an Arkansas BMW motorcycle club at Cove Lake for a campout, but usually bring a Triumph motorcycle. This year I brought my Air GT w/21". The Lucid's range made the trip a breeze, and I arrived at Mount Magazine with enough battery left for a little play. The ascent from the south, one of my many favorite Ozark roads, cost me almost 3% but was well worth it. Swift mode with the lower regen setting made cornering natural and smooth, but I was not trying for any land speed records in the straight sections of the steep ascent. Descending the north side was at a more contained pace due to the waning sun and number of deer in the area.
A day later I went north to Clarksville to top up and met a man testing the EA chargers. We spoke, but I only later learned from an EA employee that he probably worked for ABB. more about that later if you are interested.
After topping up we went up Arkansas 103 for lunch in Oark, a renowned biker burger joint popular with the sportscar crowd. The ride up was hampered by a slow truck but the ride back down was an eye-opener. In the passenger seat I had the cousin who had introduced me to motorcycles and then 4-wheel on-track driving. We have shared many high-speed adventures. In the back I had a genuinely quick motorcyclist. The ride back stunned both of them.
I started in Swift, low regen, low TC and half way switched to Sprint with the same settings. I found trail braking to the apex then blending in power to be much more natural with regen on low, much smoother. I still wish there were an even lower regen setting. The mechanical brakes (when you actually get to use them) are phenomenal and progressive. Tire grip far exceeded my expectations, especially in transition (I started the run at 40PSI) . I found myself getting on the power even before the apex, indicating that I had been too timid. Switching to Sprint mode I was able to get the GT to push just a little bit on exit, barely.
My passengers were dumbfounded, as was I. My front seat passenger complained about the lack of an "Oh Shit!" handle to grab onto. I didn't have his side bolsters turned up enough, I guess. I myself was thunderstruck by the Air's capabilities, and I even more now want to test it on track. So....
If any Lucid Air owners (Lucid, are you listening?) are interested in a Lucid Air Track Day event (I mean "Driving School") Please get in touch. For me, Cresson Motorsports Ranch is the nearest but I will travel anywherein the US that an event is organized. I would love to tell you what this car is like at the limit, but the simple truth is that I can't because I haven't come close that it yet.
*Disclaimer: Always follow traffic laws, Avoid excessive speeds. Be mindful of road and traffic conditions. Don't be a "kitty" when you realize you bought one of the fastest cars ever made.
Today I returned to my DFW area home after spending the week in the Ozarks. Every year I join an Arkansas BMW motorcycle club at Cove Lake for a campout, but usually bring a Triumph motorcycle. This year I brought my Air GT w/21". The Lucid's range made the trip a breeze, and I arrived at Mount Magazine with enough battery left for a little play. The ascent from the south, one of my many favorite Ozark roads, cost me almost 3% but was well worth it. Swift mode with the lower regen setting made cornering natural and smooth, but I was not trying for any land speed records in the straight sections of the steep ascent. Descending the north side was at a more contained pace due to the waning sun and number of deer in the area.
A day later I went north to Clarksville to top up and met a man testing the EA chargers. We spoke, but I only later learned from an EA employee that he probably worked for ABB. more about that later if you are interested.
After topping up we went up Arkansas 103 for lunch in Oark, a renowned biker burger joint popular with the sportscar crowd. The ride up was hampered by a slow truck but the ride back down was an eye-opener. In the passenger seat I had the cousin who had introduced me to motorcycles and then 4-wheel on-track driving. We have shared many high-speed adventures. In the back I had a genuinely quick motorcyclist. The ride back stunned both of them.
I started in Swift, low regen, low TC and half way switched to Sprint with the same settings. I found trail braking to the apex then blending in power to be much more natural with regen on low, much smoother. I still wish there were an even lower regen setting. The mechanical brakes (when you actually get to use them) are phenomenal and progressive. Tire grip far exceeded my expectations, especially in transition (I started the run at 40PSI) . I found myself getting on the power even before the apex, indicating that I had been too timid. Switching to Sprint mode I was able to get the GT to push just a little bit on exit, barely.
My passengers were dumbfounded, as was I. My front seat passenger complained about the lack of an "Oh Shit!" handle to grab onto. I didn't have his side bolsters turned up enough, I guess. I myself was thunderstruck by the Air's capabilities, and I even more now want to test it on track. So....
If any Lucid Air owners (Lucid, are you listening?) are interested in a Lucid Air Track Day event (I mean "Driving School") Please get in touch. For me, Cresson Motorsports Ranch is the nearest but I will travel anywherein the US that an event is organized. I would love to tell you what this car is like at the limit, but the simple truth is that I can't because I haven't come close that it yet.
*Disclaimer: Always follow traffic laws, Avoid excessive speeds. Be mindful of road and traffic conditions. Don't be a "kitty" when you realize you bought one of the fastest cars ever made.
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