Lucid Air Sapphire becomes America's new quarter-mile king

An all-electric sedan is upsetting the automotive world by consistently outperforming its gasoline-powered drag champions. In a recent test at California's Famoso dragstrip, the Lucid Air Sapphire clocked an impressive 9.002 seconds, beating the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170's time of 9.721 seconds.

The Sapphire isn't just quick; it's remarkably consistent, showing off its dominance even on unprepared asphalt. A testament to this was its two-second lead over the Demon 170 on standard asphalt, a gap that narrowed only slightly on a prepped track. The Sapphire' all-wheel drive and staggering 1,234 horsepower, and a 1,430 lb-ft mountain of torque allowed it to maintain its lead over the Demon 170's 1,025 horsepower in multiple runs at the Famoso Dragstrip.

The Sapphire's performance is all the more impressive considering it's designed for everyday driving, equipped with Michelin PS4S tires rather than drag-specific rubber. This begs the question: is the era of gasoline cars on the drag strip officially coming to an end?

While both vehicles dispaly American engineering prowess, the Sapphire's victory is a shift in the automotive landscape. Its ability to outperform a vehicle specifically designed for drag racing, like the Demon 170, proves the potential of electric vehicles, when it comes to straight line speed.

There's one place where the Demon 170, with its limited production run of 3,300 units, wins outright. It is over $96,000 cheaper than the $249,000 Sapphire. Yet, the Sapphire offers an unmatched thrill, proving that an electric car can not only compete but dominate in arenas traditionally ruled by ICE vehicles.

There are many upset people out there but it's a clear message to enthusiasts and manufacturers alike: the future of speed is electric.

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