The Lucid has the advantage off the line, but this race also has braking and turning components.
The Chevy Corvette Z06 is as ferocious as internal-combustion cars come. With 670 horsepower and a big heap of downforce, the mid-engine Z06 makes the most of its Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rear tires. But is it enough to beat the instant acceleration of the 819-hp Lucid Air Grand Touring?
The short answer should be no. Even though the Lucid runs on all-season tires, 885 lb-ft of torque and an intelligent launch control system gives it the straight-line edge. The race Edmunds ran in its latest video, though, isn’t just a straight-line affair. The Edmunds U-Drag incorporates a U-turn at the end, which means it tests braking, turning, and rolling-start speed in addition to off-the-line performance. It’s worth a watch, as it tightens the competition.
See, the Lucid may have the torque and power advantages, but its 5226-lb curb weight and all-season tires seriously impede braking and cornering performance. Because it can be later on the brakes, quicker through the corners, and on power earlier, the 3681-lb Z06 comes out of the U-turn in the lead in both races.
The testing editors also note that the Lucid was hampered by its aggressive stability control. That system has to be fully on for launch control to work, but leaving it on degrades cornering performance. Ideally they’d run this race with it engaged for the launch and disengage it before reaching the turn, but in reality, you don’t want to be fiddling with a touch screen as you crest 140 mph.
Don’t write off the Lucid super-sedan yet. This race featured an Air Grand Touring, but we still have to see how the 1200-plus-hp Lucid Air Sapphire fairs against the ultimate Corvette.
Keyword: Watch a Corvette Z06 Race a Lucid Air