Lucid has announced the next step to its growth and expansion. The automaker revealed its new midsize platform on March 12 alongside Atlas, its new-generation electric drive unit. Developed to deliver battery-electric vehicles that lead the segment, the ground-up midsize platform puts an emphasis on efficiency, performance, and driving range. Most importantly, Lucid designed it for a more accessible price point of under $50,000.
The first two vehicles on the new midsize architecture are the Cosmos and Earth. Both aim to offer something distinct, with the Cosmos focusing on efficiency, space, and performance. Meanwhile, the Earth takes Lucid’s renowned efficiency and driving dynamics toward a more outdoorsy and adventurous direction. A third model is also coming, but the automaker noted it’ll disclose details about that at a later date.
Like the larger Air and Gravity, Lucid’s midsize vehicles emphasize efficiency. By doing so, they can achieve their target range without needing a massive battery pack. Additionally, this helps reduce the vehicle’s cost, as the battery represents approximately 30 to 40 percent of the total. To achieve that, the new Atlas drive unit features a smaller, lighter, and simpler design. It also features identical front and rear housings and mounts to improve manufacturing scale and cost efficiency.
In addition to scaling production of its midsize vehicles to address a larger market, Lucid improvr operational efficiency. To do that, the automaker aims to reduce the cost of the battery, labor, and capital intensity. Additionally, investments in software, services, platform licensing, robotaxi partnerships, and autonomy.
Later on, Lucid will introduce a two-seat robotaxi concept car called the Lunar. Built on the midsize platform, the Lunar is designed with maximizing efficiency, utilization, and lifetime operating economics in mind. This model highlights the midsize platform’s potential, particularly its support autonomous and commercial applications.
Source: Lucid
