Lucid Motors to take on Tesla's Model S in December
California-based start-up Lucid Motors is set to launch an executive sedan to go head-to-head with Tesla's Model S. The electric vehicle (EV) comes with a 100 KWh lithium-ion battery pack, a 1,000 bhp power train and a 300 mile range, putting it directly in competition with Tesla's P100D Model S. Lucid will also produce a version of its sedan that boasts a 130 kWh battery pack, giving it a 400-mile range.
From small startups to major established automakers, many companies have Tesla Motors in their sights.

But Lucid Motors—the California-based startup formerly known as Atieva—may have the biggest guns in its arsenal of any of Tesla's would-be rivals.

The company plans to unveil its previously-teased electric "executive sedan" December 14.

DON'T MISS: Lucid (nee Atieva) to build luxury electric cars in Arizona factory

The base model of the Lucid Motors electric car will boast a 100-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack affording a 300-mile range, and a powertrain capable of producing 1,000 horsepower, according to Automotive News (subscription required).

This information came out of a media event held by Lucid earlier this week, at which it announced an arrangement with Samsung SDI that will see the South Korean firm supply lithium-ion cells.

Lucid claims the two companies have developed a new cell design that will offer greater energy density and greater tolerance of repeated fast charging than current lithium-ion cells.

Teaser for Lucid electric car

The P100D has an EPA-rated range of 315 miles, and Tesla quotes a 0 to 60 mph time of 2.5 seconds.

That roughly matches the range quoted by Lucid to Automotive News. Representatives also mentioned a 0 to 60 mph time of "less than 3 seconds."

ALSO SEE: Atieva now Lucid Motors; plans 300-mile, 900-hp electric car

Lucid will also reportedly offer a version of its car with a 130-kWh battery pack, affording a 400-mile range.

These details come shortly after Lucid's announcement that it had chosen a factory site in Casa Grande, Arizona, with the aim of starting production in 2018.

Lucid expects to employ more than 2,000 people at the factory by 2022.

Teaser for Lucid electric car

Lucid is now thought to be closely aligned with Chinese billionaire Jia Yueting, who has used money from his LeEco tech empire to fund multiple automotive projects.

MORE: Faraday Future halts factory work, hopes to resume early 2017 (update)

That includes Faraday Future, another U.S. startup building a new factory, and planning to launch a Tesla-fighting electric car around 2018.

But Jia said last month that LeEco is now short on cash, owing both to its automotive projects and the recent effort to launch its electronics line in the U.S.

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