The Press Embargo Has Been Lifted

[borski]

Newer, better than average review here:

https://www.motor1.com/reviews/756565/2025-lucid-gravity-first-drive/

“Worrying was the glitchy software in the test cars on hand. None present had the head-up display working, and journalists driving another car reported that the lane-keep assist wouldn’t turn off despite being shown as deactivated in the driver-assist menu.
Other build-quality issues were evident. Some vehicles had comically huge panel gaps, and ours made all sorts of creaking noises that either came from the suspension or from trim pieces rubbing against each other.”

And interesting notes on the brakes:

“The brake pedal itself feels very odd. An engineer said they were aiming for a similar brake-pedal feel as a 911 GT3, but it feels more like an old Citroen.
There’s a little dead spot at the top, but once you get into the pedal, it acts more like a pressure-sensitive switch with almost no travel. It’s very unnatural and not really like a GT3’s brakes at all. That sort of works in an old Citroen DS, but in something that weighs nearly 6,000 pounds and has this much power, you want something that isn’t so vague. It saps confidence.”

Pressure plate brake pedals are a typical race car setup, but they typically require very high pedal effort to get good modulation, and they take getting used to. Interested to try this one.

I have had no issues transitioning from the Air to the Gravity. If you are used to the Air’s brake pedal, you will find Gravity feels very similar.

This reviewer, I imagine, is not used to the Air’s brake pedal.

 

[hmp10]

And interesting notes on the brakes:

“The brake pedal itself feels very odd. An engineer said they were aiming for a similar brake-pedal feel as a 911 GT3, but it feels more like an old Citroen.
There’s a little dead spot at the top, but once you get into the pedal, it acts more like a pressure-sensitive switch with almost no travel. It’s very unnatural and not really like a GT3’s brakes at all. That sort of works in an old Citroen DS, but in something that weighs nearly 6,000 pounds and has this much power, you want something that isn’t so vague. It saps confidence.”

Pressure plate brake pedals are a typical race car setup, but they typically require very high pedal effort to get good modulation, and they take getting used to. Interested to try this one.

I went back and looked at this review again, as his comments on the brakes were at odds with what some other reviewers have said, although perhaps few reviewers came at the question with such a race orientation.

He did admit at the outset that he does not like one-pedal driving, so I'm wondering if his view wasn't already partially shaded by that perspective. I have found that our Air braking modulation and the way the pedal transitions from regenerative to friction braking is virtually identical that that of our two Teslas, a setup I fell in love with within minutes of getting into the first Tesla ten years ago. In the ensuing years, I have seen more reviewers prefer the Tesla/Lucid approach to the blended braking of some other automakers, notably the German ones.

It will be interesting to see how the Gravity's braking modulation compares to the Air's. Personally, I'm hoping it will remain the same.

 

[borski]

He did admit at the outset that he does not like one-pedal driving, so I'm wondering if his view wasn't already partially shaded by that perspective. I have found that our Air braking modulation and the way the pedal transitions from regenerative to friction braking is virtually identical that that of our two Teslas, a setup I fell in love with within minutes of getting into the first Tesla ten years ago. In the ensuing years, I have seen more reviewers prefer the Tesla/Lucid approach to the blended braking of some other automakers, notably the German ones.

This is how it feels to me.

It will be interesting to see how the Gravity's braking modulation compares to the Air's. Personally, I'm hoping it will remain the same.

It feels very very similar to me. Seriously, switching from one vehicle to the other I barely notice a change in braking feel.

 

[DeaneG]

The Air and Gravity do not have a blended brake, correct? The brake pedal only engages the hydraulic brakes, and it does that directly. Same as Tesla.
Regeneration is handled solely by the accelerator pedal.

 

[borski]

The Air and Gravity do not have a blended brake, correct? The brake pedal only engages the hydraulic brakes, and it does that directly. Same as Tesla.
Regeneration is handled solely by the accelerator pedal.

That is my understanding. The only “blended braking” is the emergency braking, which is not the kind you want.

 

[PetevB]

I have found that our Air braking modulation and the way the pedal transitions from regenerative to friction braking is virtually identical that that of our two Teslas, a setup I fell in love with within minutes of getting into the first Tesla ten years ago. In the ensuing years, I have seen more reviewers prefer the Tesla/Lucid approach to the blended braking of some other automakers, notably the German ones.

My biggest issue with Tesla dynamics had to do with regenerative braking, and it’s an area I think (some of) the Germans actually have an advantage, so I’m really hoping Lucid can do better.

First let me clarify: the brake pedal on my E-tron GT (and by extension Porsche Taycan) did feel inconsistent and synthetic in a way Tesla’s doesn’t. So I prefer the “cleaner” feel of the Tesla. I also like the higher regen force Tesla lets you dial up. Right up to shortly before the limit it’s a combo I prefer. The moment you hit the limit of adhesion, however, it all goes to hell, because when the stability control system detects slip it backs off the regenerative braking. Which sounds sensible until you realize that it was that very braking that was transferring weight forwards and tightening your line, so without it you risk being half way into the oncoming lane. Feet of uncertainty at the apex when you approach the limit makes for the polar opposite of a driver’s car, and I’ll trade worse brake pedal feel to avoid it any day.

I strongly suspect Lucid will be better than either, but we’ll see.

 

[NunyaBiz]

I couldn't really tell as I'm not familiar with the wheel, but it looked to my unfamiliar eyes as if she had the wheel fully extended and perhaps adjusting it closer to the dash would make it easier to reach the pedals??

More clarity would help. I thought it was limited by base seat movement limits but I'm guessing. Thought she was leaning forward to me. As a relatively short person also blessed with a short inseam (5'5"/29) I now have a new concern.

 

[borski]

My biggest issue with Tesla dynamics had to do with regenerative braking, and it’s an area I think (some of) the Germans actually have an advantage, so I’m really hoping Lucid can do better.

First let me clarify: the brake pedal on my E-tron GT (and by extension Porsche Taycan) did feel inconsistent and synthetic in a way Tesla’s doesn’t. So I prefer the “cleaner” feel of the Tesla. I also like the higher regen force Tesla lets you dial up. Right up to shortly before the limit it’s a combo I prefer. The moment you hit the limit of adhesion, however, it all goes to hell, because when the stability control system detects slip it backs off the regenerative braking. Which sounds sensible until you realize that it was that very braking that was transferring weight forwards and tightening your line, so without it you risk being half way into the oncoming lane. Feet of uncertainty at the apex when you approach the limit makes for the polar opposite of a driver’s car, and I’ll trade worse brake pedal feel to avoid it any day.

I strongly suspect Lucid will be better than either, but we’ll see.

The 1000Hz traction control system in new Airs and Gravity helps with this.

 

[msaunders9430]

Another video released after the press embargo ended.
However, it's not like the video reviews we've been viewing.
The press person is with David Flynt, Lucid Head of UX/UI.
The press person had sat with Flynt during the '23 LA Auto Show to go over the Gravity UX at that time compared to the Air.

In this video Flynt is going through the current Gravity UX.
Quite informative IMO, although I'm only half way through.
Some of what we've seen before, but some I haven't seen.

 

[illopp00]

That is an amazing shot, but do we think they are going to send this directly to the showrooms all chipped up?

 

[HC_79]

That is an amazing shot, but do we think they are going to send this directly to the showrooms all chipped up?

No, because it was the prototype car not the production one. If you look at videos of it going around the track it’s got the 2 charging ports.

 

[PetevB]

That is an amazing shot, but do we think they are going to send this directly to the showrooms all chipped up?

I was thinking the same thing. And the poor air filters. Huge fun, I’ve been to enough Rallycrosses to know that all that dust is not coming fully out without disassembly- these cars aren’t going to showrooms ever.

Porsche solved this back in the day by flying us to Northern Finland and setting up a frozen rally course on a former airbase for the Cayenne Turbo S/ GTS launch. Also huge fun, but the road portion of the event was very compromised- no where near as good as SoCal back roads in spring.