Until now, if you wanted a rugged, capable all-electric SUV, your choices were pretty limited. The Rivian R1S was a no-brainer, as Tesla’s Model X and Model Y, while quick and brimming with tech, are SUVs built for pavement.
If you’ve been eyeing the Lucid Gravity for its incredible performance, but thought it looked more at home on the street than on an off-road trail, then this new Gravity X Concept is Lucid Motors’ way of changing that perception for good. Being unveiled on the 18th fairway at the 74th Edition of Pebble Beach, it takes the already formidable Gravity Grand Touring and reworks it for serious off-pavement use.
On paper, the numbers are absurd for something wearing all-terrain tires on custom wheels: up to 450 miles of EPA-estimated range, 828 horsepower, and a 0-60 mph run in 3.4 seconds. For some context, that is quicker than many sports cars on the road, and yet the Gravity X still seats seven in a three-row layout and works on the rough stuff. The second and third rows fold flat for gear, also making it a practical runabout.
So what makes this more than just a Gravity with a lift kit? Well, the bodywork has been reworked and beefed up for better approach and departure angles. Ride height is increased, the track is wider, and protective skid plates feature integrated tow hooks. In terms of additional gear and hardware, Lucid also added a modular roof system with crossbars, a roof box, LED light bars, and accessory mounts, the works. Also, Lucid has hinted that off-road suspension tuning and reinforced drivetrain components will support this electric SUV’s rough-terrain performance.
“Lucid Gravity has redefined the limits of what an uncompromising SUV can achieve. The Lucid Gravity X concept expands on these core principles to explore new possibilities off the beaten path while showcasing the incredible capabilities of the Lucid Gravity. Lucid’s range, power, and versatility make it an ideal vehicle for those adventurers looking to explore further off-road” -Derek Jenkins, SVP Design and Brand at Lucid Motors.
The Gravity X also embraces what Lucid calls refined ruggedness. The stealthy Astral Drift exterior satin paint finish pairs brilliantly against the orange accents and brushed-metal fascias, while Big Sur and Death Valley topography maps are etched into the hood. Inside, premium leather with orange stitching, a microsuede steering wheel with a bright six o’clock marker on the steering, and open-pore walnut trim keeps things feeling high-end, all without sliding into over-the-top territory.
For now, the Gravity X is just a concept, but it is a promising one. If Lucid builds it, the SUV will join a small but growing niche of all-electric off-roaders, which includes models like the GMC Hummer EV SUV, the Mercedes-Benz G580, and the upcoming Jeep Recon. Whether the Gravity X makes the leap from Pebble Beach lawn to production trailhead will depend on how many buyers want an EV that is equally at home on the interstate as it is on a desolate back country road. After all, charging and range will be key factors in defining how far off the beaten track you are willing to venture.
But the big question after all is this: Are there any takers for a six-figure-plus luxury off-road EV with a satin paint finish into Death Valley? Lucid seems to think there are takers, or at least that the idea of doing it will help sell cars. Given Gravity X’s mix of range, speed, and utility, it could make a strong case for itself. You can take a closer look at the Gravity X in person at the Concept Lawn during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 17.
Source: Lucid Motors