Dream Edition aiyoooo!

[illopp00]

My sales advisor called a few days ago and wanted to know if I were interested in upgrading to the Dream Edition. I told him that my largest concern was the lower range. He agreed that it is an issue.

Magically, this morning, I got the email about the smaller wheels and the improved range. Now I’m waiting for my other suggestions to him: more exterior colors, interior leather choices, and maybe platinum. Also would be nice to get a credit for choosing some of the downgrades like wheels and seating coverings. I also told him I’m not really interested in more performance.

I guess what I really want is my original GT order and quicker shipping, presumably like the Dream edition.

Can it have the 21/22 in wheels in Silver with Stealth?

 

[msaunders9430]

I think a mismatched spare would be OK for limited use to complete a road trip.
My two data points: I've seen a differential completely ruined by long-term use of two mismatched tires on a mid-1960's vehicle. And I've had a mechanic laugh at me for wanting to shave a new tire to match the diameter of the old one on the other side of the "axle" on a modern car.

I think a mismatched spare would be OK for limited use to complete a road trip.
My two data points: I've seen a differential completely ruined by long-term use of two mismatched tires on a mid-1960's vehicle. And I've had a mechanic laugh at me for wanting to shave a new tire to match the diameter of the old one on the other side of the "axle" on a modern car.

Probably with limited use and speed.

On an ICE car I wouldn't think there would be much risk. Those donut spares work, I guess. Never had to use one.

Was that modern car you referenced, an ICE or EV?

However

 

[flarbear]

Just placed the call to upgrade to DE. According to my sales person, this will not affect my delivery date. We're still subject to existing owners at the front of the line and I have an early order, but I'm not an owner.

He tried to look for an "asset #" which might indicate that they are planning my build, but my record didn't have one. I didn't ask if that was something that other owners are already getting on their Gravitys, though.

Still saying something about Spring 2025 for deliveries. It could be weeks away, or months. Or years since I'm not an existing owner.

 

[PetevB]

There's a new forum member -- @PetevB -- who is an engineer and seems to know a lot about these kinds of issues. Maybe he can weigh in on our questions?

Do we know the offsets and widths of of the wheels yet? Without that we can’t be sure if the front wheel will clear the rear without interference, we’d also need to check clearance to steering knuckles if we used the smallest front wheel.

Re diameter the short answer it’s not great to have that type of diameter difference, but if you treat it like a space saver spare and keep speeds and distance down it’s probably ok in a pinch.

The long answer: The front tires are 30.2” OD while the rear measures 30.9. Usable tread depth before legal replacement is 7.5/32nds, so if you had fresh tires on the front and completely worn on the rear you’d be at 30.2” F and 30.5” R. So the rears are nominally rotating 2.3% slower than the front, but could be rotating just 1% slower. The ABS, traction control and stability control are all tuned to look for this difference. If one rear tire is rotating at the same speed as the front the computer sees this as that tire slipping. That’s not abnormal, some amount of slip is expected during even typical acceleration, but the computer will be doing the wrong thing, and braking, stability control, etc will be compromised. Longer ABS panic stops are probably the biggest risk here.

In addition if you did this in for example a Porsche or BMW they’d likely void your warranty, as you’d be be constantly spinning whatever limited slip differential setup is used (wearing friction plates or worse) due to the diameter imbalance. I’m not clear on Lucid’s solution for the gravity at this point; I suspect it will do better I’m not sure.

All that said, however, when you get a flat your rear tire is most likely a little worn, maybe 30.7” on average, while your fronts are most likely 30”. So a fresh front tire at 30.2” almost splits the difference, which brings the rotating speed down to a pretty reasonable number. Even better would be another tire with a slightly larger ~30.4” diameter (maybe a winter tire option or similar). Used on a wheel that clears I’d be comfortable going fairly long distances without worrying about damaging things (knowing performance would be compromised).

If the wheel offset doesn’t work someone committed could look into spacers and longer studs or similar, hopefully not needed. A true space saver spare in the right bolt pattern and diameter would likely be even better at that point, assuming one could be found. You’ll obviously need the jack, etc as well.

Lucid should really have a service with wheels and tires on the shelf and ready to ship nationwide in 24 hours. AAA flat bed to the nearest town and 24 hours later you’d be back on the road at full capacity. Return the wheel/ tires ready when you’re done for the next guy. I’d pay $600 for that every time, cheaper and probably better than having a spare in car, no concern re diameter differences/ performance, etc. Seems a logical step if you really want people to road trip in these…

 

[msaunders9430]

Do we know the offsets and widths of of the wheels yet? Without that we can’t be sure if the front wheel will clear the rear without interference, we’d also need to check clearance to steering knuckles if we used the smallest front wheel.

Re diameter the short answer it’s not great to have that type of diameter difference, but if you treat it like a space saver spare and keep speeds and distance down it’s probably ok in a pinch.

The long answer: The front tires are 30.2” OD while the rear measures 30.9. Usable tread depth before legal replacement is 7.5/32nds, so if you had fresh tires on the front and completely worn on the rear you’d be at 30.2” F and 30.5” R. So the rears are nominally rotating 2.3% slower than the front, but could be rotating just 1% slower. The ABS, traction control and stability control are all tuned to look for this difference. If one rear tire is rotating at the same speed as the front the computer sees this as that tire slipping. That’s not abnormal, some amount of slip is expected during even typical acceleration, but the computer will be doing the wrong thing, and braking, stability control, etc will be compromised. Longer ABS panic stops are probably the biggest risk here.

In addition if you did this in for example a Porsche or BMW they’d likely void your warranty, as you’d be be constantly spinning whatever limited slip differential setup is used (wearing friction plates or worse) due to the diameter imbalance. I’m not clear on Lucid’s solution for the gravity at this point; I suspect it will do better I’m not sure.

All that said, however, when you get a flat your rear tire is most likely a little worn, maybe 30.7” on average, while your fronts are most likely 30”. So a fresh front tire at 30.2” almost splits the difference, which brings the rotating speed down to a pretty reasonable number. Even better would be another tire with a slightly larger ~30.4” diameter (maybe a winter tire option or similar). Used on a wheel that clears I’d be comfortable going fairly long distances without worrying about damaging things (knowing performance would be compromised).

If the wheel offset doesn’t work someone committed could look into spacers and longer studs or similar, hopefully not needed. A true space saver spare in the right bolt pattern and diameter would likely be even better at that point, assuming one could be found. You’ll obviously need the jack, etc as well.

Lucid should really have a service with wheels and tires on the shelf and ready to ship nationwide in 24 hours. AAA flat bed to the nearest town and 24 hours later you’d be back on the road at full capacity. Return the wheel/ tires ready when you’re done for the next guy. I’d pay $600 for that every time, cheaper and probably better than having a spare in car, no concern re diameter differences/ performance, etc. Seems a logical step if you really want people to road trip in these…

Good info. Definitely a bookmarked post, saved for future reference.
I did wonder about the voided warranty possibility.

 

[DeaneG]

..Was that modern car you referenced, an ICE or EV?...

An EV.

 

[Alex]

Can it have the 21/22 in wheels in Silver with Stealth?

The better range is with 20/21 wheels. The 21/22 (in silver&stealth) will have the original range.

 

[Elfin]

So even with the 20/21 wheel option the Dream Edition still loses 27 miles of range?
Maybe they're gearing the rear motor lower? It will be interesting to find out the reason for all these different range estimates.

 

[borski]

With the 20/21 wheels, the DE gets 410 miles of range, so yeah, it appears it loses 27 miles of range from the GT in exchange for the 242HP.

Not all that surprising, considering the Air DE and GT:
21" wheels:
Air DE Performance - 451 mi
Air DE Range - 481 mi
Air GT Performance - 446 mi
Air GT - 469 mi

19" wheels:
Air DE Performance - 471 mi
Air DE Range - 520 mi
Air GT Performance - N/A
Air GT - 516 mi

So in the case of the Air DE Performance, it gave up 18 mi of range for 292HP over the GT on the 21" wheels.
On 19" wheels, it gave up 45 mi of range for 292HP.

And, interestingly, the Air GT Performance (when it briefly existed), gave up 61HP and had 5mi less range.

So losing 27 mi for the DE performance is not unreasonable given the past.

 

[momo3605]

With the 20/21 wheels, the DE gets 410 miles of range, so yeah, it appears it loses 27 miles of range from the GT in exchange for the 242HP.

Not all that surprising, considering the Air DE and GT:
21" wheels:
Air DE Performance - 451 mi
Air DE Range - 481 mi
Air GT Performance - 446 mi
Air GT - 469 mi

19" wheels:
Air DE Performance - 471 mi
Air DE Range - 520 mi
Air GT Performance - N/A
Air GT - 516 mi

So in the case of the Air DE Performance, it gave up 18 mi of range for 292HP over the GT on the 21" wheels.
On 19" wheels, it gave up 45 mi of range for 292HP.

And, interestingly, the Air GT Performance (when it briefly existed), gave up 61HP and had 5mi less range.

So losing 27 mi for the DE performance is not unreasonable given the past.

But weirdly enough the DEs actually had better real world range because of the larger/different battery. This time around DE and GT share the same battery right?

 

[borski]

But weirdly enough the DEs actually had better real world range because of the larger/different battery. This time around DE and GT share the same battery right?

I don't know. They haven't announced a new battery, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything, haha