US electric-car start-up Lucid reveals Kia EV9-rivalling SUV

California-based electric-car specialist Lucid has unveiled the Gravity SUV, taking the covers off its highly-anticipated battery-powered seven-seater at the Los Angeles motor show – amid massive financial pressure and losses.

The Gravity – which will sit alongside the Lucid Air sedan – was first shown in concept form two years ago to the day, and is expected to go into production in late 2024 for the US market.

While Lucid has pitched itself as a rival to electric-car giant Tesla, the Gravity looks more conventional than a Tesla Model X, and closer to a Kia EV9 or Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV in layout.

As with the Air, the Lucid Gravity has a smooth and aerodynamic front end to reduce drag, with its roof extending beyond the top of the rear window – similar to the Kia EV9.

Inside, the Lucid Gravity is equipped with a 34-inch curved OLED display which includes both its instrument and infotainment screens, capable of receiving over-the-air updates.

The company claims it can drive for more than 700km on a single charge, and it could be capable of sharing the Air’s 300kW charging capacity due to its 900-volt electric-car architecture.

Specifications are yet to be confirmed, though Lucid also claims the electric SUV will be able to accelerate from zero to 97km/h (60mph) in 3.5 seconds, or tow up to 2700kg – though not at the same time.

While pricing is yet to be announced, it’s expected the Lucid Gravity will be positioned near or above its Air sedan sibling, which ranges from $US77,400 ($AU122,900) to $US138,000 ($AU219,000) in the US.

Lucid is pinning its hopes of success on the Gravity, after it was estimated to be losing $US338,000 ($AU536,500) on every Air it builds and being on track to match the $US2.6 billion ($AU4.1 billion) loss it posted last year.