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.

 

[Knucklehead]

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.

Correct. This is confirmed in one of the OOS first drive videos a while ago.

Lucid, Rivian and I think Tesla only engage the friction brakes when you press the brake pedal. My previous vehicle, the Mach-e, increased motor regeneration when pressing the brake pedal, until brake pedal pressure exceeded the motor's ability to slow the car. At that point friction braking blends in with motor regen. This is very hard to do, apparently, and Lucid claims they don't do it because they told Kyle they want better "brake feel", or something like that. They want consistent, predictable brake performance. I am not sure why Rivian and Tesla do it. Maybe the same reason?

If you drive using 1PD, you almost never use the brake pedal anyway. That is how I drove my Mach-e, so I really don't know if blended braking is bad or good from a "feel" perspective. I do know I liked the fact I could increase regen by pressing the brake pedal. If you do that in a Lucid, or Rivian, you reduce efficiency because only friction brakes are added to slow the vehicle more quickly.

 

[Elfin]

I am not sure why Rivian and Tesla do it. Maybe the same reason?

Probably mainly because it's easier and cheaper. Tesla removed the ability to turn off regen because the EPA requires that efficiency tests be done as some sort of average of the available drive modes. Some people don't like one pedal driving so Tesla added blended brakes to the new Model Y.
Personally I love one pedal driving.

 

[Pragmatic]

Don't think this is the case, Tesla disabled no regen because they could. I believe EPA requires that cars default to start-up settings (hence Lucid alway defaulting to smooth and std reg).

Of course Tesla may start in the driver's choice of settings (I've never driven one so I don't know), in which case EPA may require certification testing in the setting that produces the worst range/economy. But that is conjecture on my part

 

[Elfin]

Don't think this is the case, Tesla disabled no regen because they could. I believe EPA requires that cars default to start-up settings (hence Lucid alway defaulting to smooth and std reg).

Of course Tesla may start in the driver's choice of settings (I've never driven one so I don't know), in which case EPA may require certification testing in the setting that produces the worst range/economy. But that is conjecture on my part

My 2018 Model 3 still has a low regen mode, it's only new models that don't have it, except the new Model Y which has a blended braking mode. I'm not sure whether they could have it on new models if it reset every drive but decided not to because it would annoy people. Regardless, it was an EPA rule that caused them to stop putting low regen mode in cars without blended braking.

 

[Steve181]

When I first got my 2025 Pure in Nov. 2024, I hated Regen. and left it off.
Over the next 5 months, I came to love it, and always now leave it at its fullest. In fact, when the battery is full and cannot accept full Regen I miss it!

 

[bryway]

Again, another misinformed reviewer. It will make pizza if you plug this into the frunk

View attachment 28195

I actually had a good idea for SoCal EV Fest this year to show off the capabilities of the frunk but seems no hope in hell of getting my Gravity delivered by then

This actually gives me hope haha! One of the things I’ll miss about the Model X I’ll be ditching is my fridge. Fits right between the second row seats for easy access by all.

 

[brianman]

One of the things I’ll miss about the Model X I’ll be ditching is my fridge. Fits right between the second row seats for easy access by all.

How wide is the fridge?

Or maybe just an official link for the model?

 

[segbrk]

How wide is the fridge?

Or maybe just an official link for the model?

I have the same cooler family (Dometic CFX3) and I run it in the trunk of my Air. The 35L is 15.67" wide, the 25L is 13.46" wide. Judging by https://lucidowners.com/threads/okay-i-still-choose-the-air-but….11924/page-7#post-263329 it'd be a tight fit for the 25L in the middle if possible.