U-DRAG: Mercedes-AMG EQE vs. Lucid Air Grand Touring
Edmunds U-Drags is our series of down-and-back drag races that allow us to incorporate a standing quarter mile, handling, and a rolling start all in one race. In this episode, we put two high-powered electric luxury sedans head-to-head: our long-term Lucid Air Grand Touring and the new Mercedes-AMG EQE. Will the AMG’s handling make up for its power deficit against the Lucid? Find out in the video!
Lucid Air pricing and review: edmu.in/3QBQofJ
Mercedes-Benz EQE pricing and review: edmu.in/3BH6yKe
00:00 Intro
00:28 The Numbers
01:10 Race 1 Prep
03:40 Race 1
05:28 Race 2 Prep
05:45 Race 2
07:24 Race 3 Prep
08:13 Race 3
09:46 Best Numbers Recap
10:12 U-Drags Leaderboard
10:28 AMG EQE In-Car Run
11:09 Lucid In-Car Run
11:49 Edmunds' Take
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Did the results of this EV battle of all-around performance versus outright horsepower surprise you? Let us know in the comments.
Lucid taking on AMG and winning. Now that's one for the books. I had already been biased when I saw it was Not the Air Sapphire going against the AMG...Boy was I wrong!! Great pairing on this U drag. Keep it up.
I have a set lucid factory 21s for sale if you are interested in testing with good tires. lucidowners.com/threads/21-inch-wheels-non-freshly-powder-coated.6589/
How about lucid sapphire vs tesla model s plaid and mercedes eqs vs bmw i7
@@Laura-sm6tx 1st place- Tesla. 2nd -Saphire 3rd - AMG 4th - I7
@@cisky1972사파이어가 개바르던데 ㅋㅋ헝정보 노노
That's freakin hilarious! Lucid: Why are you running on those wheel? Edmunds: Because those are what was provided. Lucid: We have better wheels and tires for your performance runs. Edmunds: Great! Can we have some for our next test? Lucid: No.
I'm sorry, what??? You can literally take delivery of a Lucid GT with 21" sport wheels today if you want to! Head to their website, they have them in inventory for immediate delivery. Could @edmundscars not being completely honest with us and made the finish closer than it would have been if it was a fair comparison?
I was gonna say, those are the 19" comfort/lux ride tires, not the 20" (better performance) or 21" summer performance tires
Can't wait to see how the Lucid does with more rubber. Impressive first effort from the company.
What impressive about a car with more than 200hp than its competitors it would win. That lucid won’t do much against an e63s
@@paganizondasroadster1660 Just getting a car to production is impressive...most automotive startups don't even make it this far. Then for Lucid's first vehicle to top the field in range and offer this level of performance, which exceeds that of manufacturers that have made cars for decades...it is quite an accomplishment.
@@jghall00 looking at the video it’s not a good track or drag race car. One thing I love about lucid is how the designed the exterior front and rear.
@@paganizondasroadster1660 It's a heavy, four-door electric saloon, it's definitely not a track or race car. It just happens to be a very fast GT vehicle that can seat four or five in comfort while smoking most other four saloons as well as many ICE sport cars. The only reason it's not been better received is because Tesla achieved scale first and has been able to offer more performance at a much lower price point. But the Model S was similarly priced when it first launched. Lucid just arrived a bit too late to the party and is playing catchup. Lucid needs substantially more scale to drive down pricing, but to do that it's going to need a much larger volume platform. It's aiming at a moving target with Tesla because Tesla already has the scale, and it refining its products to achieve even greater efficiency, which gives it tremendous pricing advantage.
I have one with the 21s, just like almost all GTs that were sold. The handling is spectacular for a car of that weight. Lucid, of course, has faster and grippier versions of the car. This race was the standard Lucid GT (on the econo tires) vs. the AMG version of the EQS.
That Lucid is incredible!
I want more!! I love seeing the Lucid in action every time!
Keep pumping out these Udrags, super entertaining
Excellent video, thank you for bringing it to us!
Our pleasure, glad you enjoyed!
i love these videos. Great Work!
Need more udrag, amazing concept
Fun vid👌thanx guys👍
I know why the Lucid won so handily on the third race! The driver was 1000% better than the first two races.
You guys have cracked the code for making perfect content. I especially like repeating the races, and then the driver swap to remove driver error. I rather watch 5 races in a 10 minute video than 2 in a 20 minute video. It's brilliant.
Idk about "Perfect" lol
Wow those were some cool races.
Do some videos with the Model S Plaid Track Pack.
So your running the lucid on old tires? or are those a new set of the same type for this test?
One of the better U Drags.🏁🥂
Gotta get the model S plaid track pack against the lucid sapphire
Interesting how Lucid gave Edmunds crap for running "crappier" tires but then when Edmunds tried to borrow the rims and tires Lucid said they should have used......they wouldn't lend them to Edmunds. Lol. Lucid better not do any complaining if they're not going to lend anything out.
😂😂😂
And that's the tea
Yeah, for a struggling startup, they really have their heads up their arse.
@@mrb2349this is literally a lie.. 21s are in stock EVERYWHERE. why should edmunds be entitled to free summer tires if its THEIR car? if it was a press car, id understand.. maybe edmunds should quit the bias
Let's go LUCID LOLOLOL, Can't wait to see Sapphire content. My LAWD.
What about the Lucid vs Model S Long Range?
We need Model S Plaid with the track pack!
And a lucid air saphhire
Should try the model s long range
The way merc catching up during turning is hilarious
what about the lucid air gt in the (old/classic) Nurburgring track ? it could have a good acceleration, but without a good setup, good tyres e perfect brakes, after the 3rd turn it is in the grass (like as tesla s plaid , they need the nurburgring/track setup/addon of over $18k to be ok)
Bigger sticky tires are easy to get. I am a GT owner and someone is always on a lucid forum selling OEM wheels and tires.
Not easier to get from Lucid apparently. Lucid is like why are you racing it on those wheels and tires? Because that's what it came with. But we have much better wheels and tires for that! OK, Can we get some for another test? No. wtf Lucid? Someone responsible for promotion and marketing needs to be fired. 😂
You should use the U-drag to test & compare performance tires.
Half battery left? Then wait a few hours to charge?
I think the tires were what kept the Mercedes in it The Lucid Grand Touring isn't getting as aggressive a tire as the AMG Mercedes The Grand Touring is getting.......Touring tires. The AMG is getting a more performance-oriented setup, for handling and braking
The rear view of the Lucid compared to the Mercedes makes the car look like it skipped leg day because of the skinny tires.
It really does lol, the EQE looks much better with the wide rubber
Perfect
hey we told you to start making the ending drag races 1/2 mile long
Need the Sapphire race
Would love to see the Lucid vs a Taycan
Before watching- oh, good one. While I like the lucid..... a lot. I think the Benz's better brakes and ability to barrel around bends will bestow best place on the leader board. No, I am not sorry. Lol
Spoilers .... .... .... ... ... I was wrong.
Those Lucid tires look so skinny in front of those wider Benz tires!
WoW!!! 👏🏾👌🏾
Love your show. Please get a Porsche!! Would love to see the 911 Turbo S vs the GT3RS
Test the new AMG GT
Should get some pilot sport EV tires on the Lucid (or pilot sport 4S)
After listening to Mark and Jack from SavageGeese talk about the Sapphire
did you use the launch control for lucid air or not?
Did you watch the video or not?
Go lucid 👏
Go USA. It feels good to beat the Germans from time to time. We need to keep improving though...Especially with braking, interior design and just the looks overall.
Does the EQE have a range / HP vehicle that reaches the level of the Lucid Air Grand Touring? I'm sure Mercedes AMG could offer a higher spec'd vehicle that could match the Lucid, and with the long history of vehicle manufacturing could handily crush Lucid. However, I don't get the impression that that is the purpose of the EQE.
When you see the lucid gap the merc, then see the 675lt is 4 seconds faster than the lucid😮
EQE is such a beast on the suspension and breakes. True AMG
Would be fun to see the EV6 GT go against these and the non-plaid S.
The standard Model S Long Range runs a 10.8 at 128 quarter mile...is the EV6 GT in that same league?
And the EV6 GT has *far* better brakes, tires and handling. Is it enough to make up the power gap? Not sure.
@@ouch1011 far better? I would have thought a lower weight would have been the GT’s biggest advantage, but they weigh the same!
@@wesleywalls7582 obviously not but then even after tesla's recent price drops, it's still $25k more.
4:44. “ I over-shot a little bit…” You missed the apex by 20 feet, at least. Seriously, how did you get that job?
I would love to see model s plaid and lucid
I would like to see a review and comparison of these cars beyond the U-drag. Is that coming?
U can see the Lucid in another Edmunds video where it was compared to the BMW. Great review IMO.
This video shows that the Germans are good at making track cars. The brakes, cornering, balance says it all. If they had the same power the lucid will be dead
No you do not understand. GT is not even the Performance. Its a range Lucid. Had it been the Performance. This wouldve not been close. But yeah Sapphire is their "AMG" or "M". GT is like their S550 trim or M750i for BMW
The more the lucid warms the tires the more it gets faster,thats pure racing prowess
we have a lucid touring AWD as a rental earlier today... our Rivian in for wind noise repairs.. I'm odering a Lucid SUV if the company survives..
The 19in rims are actually better for both acceleration and braking, because they have lower rotational inertia, so probably better overall for this test.
Which car is worse in the turn: Lucid or Dodge Hellcat?
The EQS would’ve been a more accurate contender
Sounds like two dueling fighter jets…
Invest in LCID stock now before their SUV gets released.
Mercedes did well considering being heavier down 202 hp and almost 200 tq.
Where is the Tesla Model S Plaid on your list?
Couple of boats setting sail.
It's amazing how little difference there is between the two cars, even though the Lucid has over 400 horsepower more.
You need to recheck your math 😆. Lucid has 202hp more
Sapphire vs. Plaid please
LET'S GOOOOOOOOOO LUCID FAMILY WOOHOO!🙋♂️❤️🥳🥳🥳🥳🎉🎉🎉🎉👏👏😁🕺🕺💯😉👍
@lucid doesn’t sell their own wheels. I guess they don’t realize many owners keep summer and winter sets. #howlame 12:42
Why do you guys show the end of the race as the first thing on the video? Kinda ruins it
"This car feels so much slower" well a 200hp deficit will do that...
both r fast but mecedes has much better performance in the u-turn ,,thats why it always goes ahead in the u-turn even it was behind before
Love U-drags. Such a great format! I will say though, EV’s are fast, but they present zero driving experience if you ask me. I actually enjoy driving, feathering the clutch and ripping through the gears and hearing that glorious exhaust note. It’s not always about the fastest car. Driving an EV is like driving a hurst.
There seems to be a consensus developing that the most fun you'll have driving a Lamborghini Huracan is also the slowest one, the "off-road" Sterrato.
EV cars at least in the UK have taken a massive hit in depreciation because the government have pushed the ICE cars ban from 2030 to 2035 and I for one am pleased. EV cars while a capable tool do nothing for me
that mercedes was impressiv tho
The Lucid Sapphire would eat the Mercedes for lunch. 1234 BHP twice what the AMG has and sticky big rubber too. And the Sapphire has better suspension as well.
Yes M3 with 600 HP will also eat a man sprinting for lunch. Your comparison is on p much that level. Same HP German cars vs same HP american car will alwayes end one way. In embarrasing American car preformance
I want you guys to be the first to drag race that Electric Hellcat when it comes out
Great race! Lucid and Tesla need to work on their suspension and braking power. There should be no reason why a >500hp car should have no Brembo/ carbon ceramic brakes as Standard. AMG has shown superiority in braking and cornering..but in the EV world, AMG doesn't have thesame star power. For me the AMG is not worth it. They can't 'tune' batteries 😅. @Jonathan: work on your reaction times. Lucid should have won all 3.
Stock iron brakes plaid stops from 60mph in 104' premium sedans are considered to be good under 120'
@4literv6 well, under repetitive use, the stock brakes will not be as good as Ceramic. This is a well known problem from a lot reviews... Maybe the additional $10k is a reason to stick with traditional brakes...but for piece of mind, I'll go Ceramic...What's the $10k if you are already spending well over a $100k. Just my opinion.
@@cisky1972 ceramics on a daily driver suck though. But for this level of performance more reliable fade free braking is a good idea. My point was 104' for something with 1,020hp and weighing 4,700# is damn good. A lucid air perf in comparison is 120'+ from 60mph.
@4literv6 very true. Perhaps, psychologically, I am sold on ceramics when it comes to high performance cars with a lot of mass. 5200 lbs and over 500 hp needs a lot of stopping power consistently.
USA beat germany love lucid
Race after race we all know who is the better driver, by far!
funny how Alistair gets car sick in a Tesla Model S Plaid but not in a Lucid or any other car with comparable power... lol
still waiting for the Fit Sport vs Mitsu Mirage... 🏁
Sapphire is insane. 1v1 with the Tesla tri motor raven? Also with its carbon ceramics
The benz just makes the corner so smooth just needs more power Overall Mercedes are always engineered better 😏 the germans always do a good job
Except when it comes to reliability and easy maintenance.
@norwegianblue2017 over 200000 miles on my c class and only replaced the power steering pump, and yes it was expensive , But that's the only mechanical issue it's had 😌😌
@@mryeahisaidit Every single person that I have known with German car has regretted buying one. VW, BMW and Audi are especially unreliable. The older Mercedes were good cars, I will give you that.
4 wheel steering also helps.
@@norwegianblue2017they're usually good til 60k. Around the time a lease ends. Otherwise they'll need a major tune up. That's words. That came from my cousin who works as a bmw tech. Also, my mk6 vw gti died. On me with 70k on the clock. I used to love. I used to love my 01 Mk4 GTI vr6. I put almost 170k on it before selling it and it was still running strong. Newer euro cars just aren't built the same anymore. . .
Lucid complains about the tire choice but won't provide you guys with a better tire...???....sounds legit, great job Lucid 🙃
Edmunds are lying. I had 19s on my touring and they got summer 21s in 2 days.
I would so turn off that 'AMG sound'
Lucid vs a model s plaid would be good to see.
Model s plaid vs lucid air sapphire
The real performance can only be evaluated after a Nurburgring fast lab run. As proven The Tesla can't compete against Taycan without Heavy modification.
The Lucid Air should be compared to the EQS 53 or the i7 M70 !
Let's get the Model S Plaid in there. Call around and make it happen.
@ 04:37 👀
The fact that the lucid didn't erase the EQE in either race is really disappointing. The EQE is heavier and slower and disgusts me on so many levels but I guess AMG did their magic with it.
Probably down to the tires. Lucid is on the standard econo tires. Merc is on sportier, stickier tires. Really makes a difference.
Thanks for nerfing the voice over.
Well... Lucid for me!!!
The guy in Red shirt is a better driver
Glad to see Edmunds getting some heat for constantly sandbagging the Lucid with the econo tires, but just turn the TC down and skip the launch mode, assuming you can borrow a real driver.
Not sure whats up with this video ? Never seen them give a vehicle a 2nd chance before. More like a tie. Edmunds you breaking your own rules? Don’t upset Lucid
LUCID😍❤️❤️❤️
its complitelly 2 differnt cars
Impressive. But sterile. No soul. No rumble. No satisfying sounds. Just speed.
Guy in grey is naturally terrible at the corners. Guy in red does pretty well
Ah, I see. So Lucid had their cake and it seems they wanted to eat it also.
U know that eqs is the real equivalent to the lucid
Give me a break the lucid has more than 210hp than the Benz. Weigh 300 lbs less. The lucid is no match for a c63s
That EQS can't be had for that price anywhere in the US. It was 50 over sticker at launch and is still selling 15 over right now. My neighbor just bought one and had to wait 8 months and still paid over sticker
More power less sweet this is what happens. I don’t think it’s fair.
American power!