First and foremost, let’s introduce our participants. The 2022 Lucid Air Grand Touring is an electric vehicle with two motors and all-wheel drive capabilities that boasts an impressive 819 horsepower or 830 ps, along with a torque of 885 lb-ft or 1,199 Nm. As you may already be aware, this model comes with a hefty price tag of $140,500. Despite its immense power, it is also burdened by its weight, tipping the scales at 5,226 lbs. or 2,370 kg.
Recently, the Lucid Air has encountered some turbulence in the media due to software errors or bugs that caused sudden loss of drive power. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a recall for approximately 190 models, specifically those manufactured in Lucid’s Casa Grande facility in Arizona between the years 2022 and 2024, from November 10, 2021, to December 5, 2023. While this may not be a major scandal, it has undoubtedly affected the company’s reputation and shareholder satisfaction. In response to unrelated issues, Lucid has reduced its prices, intensifying the competition with the Tesla Model S. The Air Pure, with 430 horsepower, now costs $69,900, down from $82,400. The 620-hp Lucid Air Touring is priced at $77,900, while the Air Grand Touring, with a reduction of $15,700, is available for $109,900.
Photo: Edmunds Cars
Moving on to the 2022 Acura NSX Type S, this vehicle is equipped with a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers 600 horsepower (608 ps) and a torque of 492 lb-ft or 667 Nm. It features all-wheel drive and a 9-speed dual-clutch transmission system, weighing significantly less than the Lucid at 3,913 lbs or 1,775 kg. The price for this impressive machine starts at $192,495.
Now, let’s briefly go over the rules of the race. The U-drag race is a popular event among the enthusiasts at Emunds Cars on YouTube, where they accelerate from a complete stop for a quarter-mile, make a U-turn, and then race back to the finish line. To ensure fairness, the drivers switch during the race.
So, how did they perform? As one would expect, the electric vehicle outperformed the internal combustion engine car in the first race. However, in the second and third attempts, the NSX Type S surpassed the Lucid Air Grand Touring. But the results are not as straightforward as they may initially appear.
While the Lucid lost the U-drag race, it emerged victorious in other aspects, such as the 0-60 mph challenge, completing it in 3.13 seconds compared to the Acura’s 3.16 seconds. Additionally, during the quarter-mile stretch, the Lucid Air finished in 10.9 seconds at 129.3 mph, while the NSX took 11.2 seconds at 127.9 mph. In terms of the overall race, the Acura triumphed in 33 seconds flat, reaching a top speed of 136.5 mph. The Lucid Air Grand Touring completed it in 33.1 seconds at 139.4 mph.
So, what led to these results? Well, the weight of the Lucid Air did not hinder its performance, but it did affect its ability to brake in time for the U-turn. As a result, the Acura took advantage of this opportunity and proved to be faster on the return journey.
According to the Source autoevolution.com