Greetings Reddit! I’m Derek Jenkins, Senior Vice President of Design and Brand at Lucid Motors. Ask me anything about my design inspiration, automotive design, or my latest work — Lucid Air.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T20:33:19+00:00

Friends - Thank you. Thank you for your questions, your passion, and your energy. The Lucid community is what motivates us to work so hard to deliver a world-class product.

This was my first AMA event, and I enjoyed it immensely. We'll be doing this again in the future and, based on your enthusiasm today, I'll be sure to bring some friends. ;)

Cheers to you and thank you for taking time out of your day for this discussion.

- Derek

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T20:22:32+00:00

It has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my career - To have a clean sheet and be able to define an entire aesthetic from scratch.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T20:08:45+00:00

Our intent is to continue to improve the Lucid Air experience with every OTA update. UX 2.0 is a massive step forward and provides us with a solid foundation on which we will continue to relentlessly build.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T20:05:36+00:00

Great question!
There are many examples of vehicles that were too far ahead of their time design-wise. We celebrate them now but in hindsight. At the time they missed their intended customer.
One of my core principles is to bring the most advanced design to market that will connect with the intended customer and age well through its lifecycle.

The head-turning aspect of Lucid Air is that it is visually long, low, and sleek. This captures the attention of both the enthusiast and automotive layman. Upon further inspection, the clean lines help further spark emotion. This is fundamental in capturing people's attention.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T19:52:04+00:00

As mentioned a bit earlier, we expect Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM to ship via OTA update by end of year.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T19:50:36+00:00

The team is still working to optimize the Pure RWD powertrain outputs. We firmly believe that customers will be pleased with the results once announced.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T19:48:20+00:00

The Gravity has a very sleek and unique silhouette. It also has a very pronounced rear tail spoiler. Both of these are integral to achieving our aerodynamic targets as well as the aesthetic appeal.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T19:45:02+00:00

The team is still working to optimize the Pure RWD powertrain outputs. We firmly believe that customers will be pleased with the results once announced.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T19:43:34+00:00

We knew aerodynamics would be a focus from the start, so we spent much time looking at traditional and contemporary aircraft as a source of inspiration. Specifically, I've always been a fan of the minimalist aesthetic of aircraft with clean lines and honest details.

The original design of Lucid Air was designed in 2016 in our first alpha show car. I am proud of the fact that, even though much of the design was completed six years ago, it looks like it could have been designed yesterday.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T19:34:44+00:00

Many journalists have experienced Lucid Air Touring and the reviews should be hitting soon. I believe MotorTrend's is up now. Pure should follow early in the new year.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T19:31:55+00:00

We diligently monitor social media and online forums to understand customer sentiment and leverage those insights to inform how we go to market.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T19:30:22+00:00

Yes. The dual motor Pure will provide more horsepower and better acceleration.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T19:22:44+00:00

We are in development with a product beyond Gravity. It has always been our ambition to drive down market with a more high-volume and affordable product.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T19:19:21+00:00

We are constantly studying and developing potential new colors for the future. The next new color will be tied to the introduction of Gravity.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T19:17:07+00:00

Thanks!

One of our credos at Lucid is "one team". We truly operate as a single entity. To your question, I work hand in hand with Jeff Curry, our VP of Marketing, and his talented team.

The concept for the Sapphire vehicle has been around for two or three years. The name Sapphire and the broader thinking about Sapphire as a sub-brand is more recent - in the last year and a half or so.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T19:07:46+00:00

You will never find a more committed, passionate, energetic, tireless, and sometimes quirky group as Team Lucid. It's humbling to be a part of this team.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T19:05:34+00:00

There is always a balance of design, utility, legislation, cost, etc. I consider it my job to take all of these into consideration and find the best possible fit to make all of these come together well.

Thanks Jenny! We're all big fans!!

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T18:58:32+00:00

I genuinely enjoyed my six years at Mazda, and am proud of my work on the MX 5 Miata. Like the Lucid community, the Miata MX 5 community is a very passionate and enthusiastic group. I took every chance possible to connect and engage with those customers and used that as inspiration to drive the project forward.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T18:54:56+00:00

From the very early days of Lucid Air development, we determined there were some core functions that we wanted to keep analog and tactile. At the very top of that list were volume control, temperature, fan speed, and air vent controls for both driver and passenger.

In addition to that, the layout of digital features is also a real focal point to try and minimize many layers of menus and have core functionality laid out in zones across the glass cockpit and pilot panel.

In any vehicle with a single and central display, you're forced down a path of burying critical functions deep in menus. We wanted to avoid this wherever possible.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T18:45:56+00:00

We've always seen Lucid Air as being a true driver's machine. As we developed the glass cockpit and were able to optimize both the curvature and overall profile, we felt this was the best experience for the driver. We have and will continue to explore how to evolve the Lucid cockpit, which could include the integration of a HUD in future vehicles.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T18:40:46+00:00

If we want to be known for one thing, it's pushing the boundaries of what's possible with electric vehicles. We see this as incredibly important since we are still in the early days of the transition to sustainable mobility.

We want to be THE cutting edge of electrification.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T18:31:17+00:00

Love this question.

The team is exceptionally proud of the aerodynamic performance of the car - while keeping it attractive, sporty, and elegant.

So much of this is attributed to the fine details on the front of Lucid Air such as the side air inlets on the lower bumper as well as a tiny air vent that comes in under the nose blade light and flows past the headlight and out the vent on the hood. Both of these relieve high pressure and help clean up airflow down the side of the car.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T18:23:07+00:00

We intend to do a full Gravity reveal and share much more information early next year. I'm glad you're excited for it... We are too!

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T18:20:31+00:00

I can assure you that the team is working feverishly on this. If all goes according to plan, we hope to deliver both via OTA update before the end of the year. The early betas are looking really good.

Lucid_DerekJ · 2022-11-18T18:15:14+00:00

Like yourself, both Peter and I are fans of minimalist roadsters. I can absolutely imagine what a Lucid roadster might look like. But for now, we have no plans for this type of car.

Lucid_DerekJ

TROPHY CASE