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Watch the Lucid Air EV hit 235 (!!!) mph on a high-speed oval

Who said EVs can't scare the pants off you?

Lucid Motors

When Lucid announced that a prototype of its forthcoming Air electric car hit 217 mph, we were pretty impressed. But of course, Lucid had to go and one-up itself.

Lucid went to the Transportation Research Center in Ohio with that same prototype, a stripped-out, aerodynamically enhanced version used to test powertrain and suspension components. This test car had its software speed limiter removed, and the result was a 235-mph blast down the concrete.

Lucid didn't just do this for fun. This high-speed testing gave the company enough data to adjust its suspension responsiveness under load, as well as update the ventilation for its front electric motor.

Of course, your personal Air won't be capable of such speeds. First, it's electronically limited to a much more sensible top speed. Second, the car is stripped down to its skivvies in these tests, carrying the bare necessities and a few aerodynamic tweaks. Also, your car's tires are probably not rated for those speeds.

Lucid first showed off the Air last December. In its highest trim, it will reportedly pack 1,000 horsepower from multiple electric motors, enough for a 0-60 time of about 2.5 seconds. That model will cost six figures, but Lucid also has an entry-level model in mind that should sell for about $60,000.

Lucid Motors shows off Air, an electric luxury sedan

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Andrew Krok Reviews Editor / Cars
Cars are Andrew's jam, as is strawberry. After spending years as a regular ol' car fanatic, he started working his way through the echelons of the automotive industry, starting out as social-media director of a small European-focused garage outside of Chicago. From there, he moved to the editorial side, penning several written features in Total 911 Magazine before becoming a full-time auto writer, first for a local Chicago outlet and then for CNET Cars.
Andrew Krok
Cars are Andrew's jam, as is strawberry. After spending years as a regular ol' car fanatic, he started working his way through the echelons of the automotive industry, starting out as social-media director of a small European-focused garage outside of Chicago. From there, he moved to the editorial side, penning several written features in Total 911 Magazine before becoming a full-time auto writer, first for a local Chicago outlet and then for CNET Cars.

Article updated on July 10, 2017 at 12:33 PM PDT

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Andrew Krok Reviews Editor / Cars
Cars are Andrew's jam, as is strawberry. After spending years as a regular ol' car fanatic, he started working his way through the echelons of the automotive industry, starting out as social-media director of a small European-focused garage outside of Chicago. From there, he moved to the editorial side, penning several written features in Total 911 Magazine before becoming a full-time auto writer, first for a local Chicago outlet and then for CNET Cars.
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