19-02-2025
Lucid and Pirelli Just Made the Air Sapphire Even Quicker
The all-electric Lucid Air Sapphire is one of the most ludicrous road cars ever offered for sale. The existing level of performance clearly hasn't satisfied the automaker, however, as Lucid has just rolled out a major upgrade for the car. For the first time, Air Sapphire customers will now have the chance to spec gummy Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires developed specifically for the 1234-horsepower EV.
Despite the four-digit power output, the tri-motor Lucid Air Sapphire models come as standard with a regular set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. We love the PS4S, but it wasn't exactly designed to maximize that sort of transparent grunt. During our 2025 Electric Performance Vehicle of the Year test, the 'mundane' rubber kept the Lucid from posting the fastest lap around the New York Safety Track: despite a 6.3-mph faster top speed on track (147.3 mph), the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT's 1:33.0 lap was 2.56 seconds faster than the Lucid. These new tires should help the American car close the delta.
The tires were specifically developed between Lucid and Pirelli North America, with loads of on-track testing taking place throughout 2024. These included tests at California's Thunderhill Raceway, as well as sessions at Papenburg and the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany. Exactly the sort of places you'd want to test high-speed cornering grip.
The new wheel and tire package, which includes a bespoke set of staggered forged aluminum wheel, will run customers $8250. Each tire can also be purchased individually, for $700 for fronts and $750 for rears. Lucid Service Centers will stock the stickier rubber, with deliveries and installation expected to begin April.
We can't wait to get our hands on a Sapphire with the properly sticky rubber. The 'standard' example is already one of the most impressive vehicles I've experienced, and certainly among the quickest. That said, if you don't plan on tracking the super-sedan, you're probably just fine to save some cash and stick with the Michelins.
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