All-American automaker delights fans with off-road SUV that outruns a Porsche 911
Lucid, the California-based automaker, has unveiled a rugged new version of its seven-passenger SUV, the Gravity
The Gravity X comes packs off-road upgrades: metal skid plates to shield the belly from rocks, tow hooks for deep mudding, and chunky all-terrain tires built for dirt and gravel.
A taller ride height ensures it can clear uneven terrain without scraping.
Distinctive styling sets it apart, with bright orange accents and topographic maps of Big Sur and Death Valley etched into the hood.
It can spring from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. That's faster than a Porsche 911 Carrera, a favorite of Don't Start Now singer Dua Lipa.
A launch date has not been set but the SUV will roll out of the company's massive Arizona plant, where it currently builds the luxurious Air sedan.
Lucid is pinning its hopes on the $79,000 Gravity, which is only its second model. Its first, the Air, has lost the company millions after Americans turned their nose up at the sedan.
Lucid, which receives cash from Saudi Arabia's investment fund, has never had a profitable quarter.
At its most recent earnings, the company lost $855.3 million while delivering 3,309 vehicles. The losses are largely due to the company's ongoing efforts to build manufacturing and hire employees.
And, while critics have raved about the Air's range, ride, and plush interior, the sedan has never become a sales juggernaut.
With the Gravity, the automaker is tapping into America's enduring love affair with large SUVs, a segment that continues to win over more US buyers.
That demand isn't just for grocery-getting family haulers; it's also driving a wave of off-road-ready electric models from other automakers.
The new Gravity X could join that growing lineup, including Hyundai's new XRT version of the Ioniq 5 crossover, Ford's Rally trim for its Mustang Mach-E, GM's Hummer, and Rivian's R1S.
Meanwhile, Jeep plans to launch its rugged Recon SUV later this year.
But all of these companies are contending with headwinds in the EV market.
The Gravity X looks slightly different from its more city-ready sister car
The new Gravity variant has more ride height for off-roading adventures and all-terrain tires
For years, automakers have built out EV lineups with help from government incentives and tax subsidies in the US, Europe, and China.
But in Washington, political momentum has shifted.
In July, President Donald Trump signed the Big, Beautiful Bill Act, ending the $7,500 federal tax credit for American-made EVs after September 30.
That shift puts pressure on automakers still ramping up production - especially those without enough vehicles to deliver to customers in the next two months.
Marc Winterhoff, Lucid's CEO, is attempting to turn the EV maker into a profitable machine
Lucid told Daily Mail it will extend its own $7,500 incentive to customers who lease a qualifying Gravity before September 30, saying the move will 'ensure an equivalent benefit remains available.'
Meanwhile, automakers are rolling out EVs that were years in the making, even if they clash with the current political climate.
This week, Ford announced details of a new EV platform aimed at slashing costs and sourcing critical minerals in the US.
Yesterday, Acura revealed it's reviving its fan-favorite RSX - but instead of the tuner-friendly coupe of the early 2000s, it will return as a crossover EV.
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