Lucid teases rugged EV - is it an off-road Gravity?

Lucid Motors is causing quite a stir with a mysterious new teaser. The automaker hinted at a “bold new concept of electric exploration” on its social media, promising a full reveal on Thursday, August 14, during the Monterey Car Week. It seems Lucid is looking to expand its image beyond sleek sedans and family-friendly SUVs and into the more adventurous side of the EV market.

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The teaser itself is short on words but offers a few compelling visual clues. We can clearly spot features not typically found on Lucid’s current vehicles - a roof-mounted light bar and a set of aggressive, blacked-out wheels. These elements are staples of off-road and overland vehicles, and strongly suggest that whatever Lucid is about to unveil, it’s designed to handle more than just pristine asphalt.

The most logical bet is that the company is preparing to launch an off-road-focused variant of its new Lucid Gravity SUV. After launching the standard Gravity in late 2024, adding a more rugged version would be a smart next step to broaden its appeal, following a popular trend in the electric vehicle space.

It seems automakers think what every luxury electric SUV needs these days, is the ability to conquer more than just the mall parking lot. A more adventurous Gravity would be ready to handle dirt trails, sandy paths, and whatever else its well-heeled owners might throw at it.

If this indeed is a rugged Gravity that we are looking at, it would place Lucid in direct competition with other automakers who have found success with adventure-themed EVs. Rivian has built its entire brand around exploration and offers special trims like the “California Dune Edition” for its R1S and R1T models, with all-terrain wheels, reinforced underbody protection, and unique styling.

For now, an off-road Gravity seems the most plausible scenario, but it’s worth considering what this new concept is unlikely to be. Lucid has confirmed that a more affordable Gravity Touring model will arrive later this year with a starting price of $79,900. The rugged components seen in the teaser suggest a higher-spec, more expensive model, not a base trim. It is also highly unlikely that this is the all-new, smaller midsize EV that Lucid is readying for a 2026 launch.

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