Edmunds Cars pits the Tesla Model S Plaid against the Lucid Air Sapphire in a U-shaped drag race to determine which electric sedan reigns supreme. While the Model S Plaid is known for its impressive performance, the Air Sapphire proves to be a formidable competitor.
The Lucid Air Sapphire, priced at $250,000, boasts 1,234 hp from its triple-motor setup, while the Tesla Model S Plaid, with the optional Track Package, costs around $111,000 and delivers 1,020 hp. Although the price difference is substantial, their performance figures are closer.
The U-drag race tests not only straight-line acceleration but also braking and handling through a tight U-turn. In both runs, the Lucid Air Sapphire handily defeated the Model S Plaid.
The Air Sapphire completed the course in 27.9 seconds at 163.3 mph, setting a new Edmunds record and beating the previous record holder (a McLaren 765LT) by 1.7 seconds. The Tesla Model S Plaid finished in a respectable 29.8 seconds, securing fourth place on the Edmunds leaderboard.