Lucid another step closer to Australian launch as Cosmos SUV reveal draws near

American electric vehicle (EV) maker Lucid Motors will finally launch in the UK in 2027 with its first right-hand drive (RHD) model, an all-new mid-size electric SUV called the Cosmos, according to Autocar.

The Californian-headquartered automaker produced its first model – the Lucid Air sedan – at its Arizona factory in September 2021, followed in December 2024 by the Gravity large SUV.

However, the Cosmos – a direct rival for popular EVs including the Tesla Model Y and premium electric SUVs including the BMW iX3 – will be the first of several smaller new mid-size models, including a more rugged SUV called the Earth.

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Unlike the Air and Gravity, all of these new Lucid models are now confirmed to be produced in both left- and right-hand drive for markets including the UK.

This therefore opens the door for an Australian launch for Lucid, although this has yet to be confirmed.

Speaking at the 2025 Munich motor show last September, where the EV brand staged the Gravity’s European launch, Lucid CEO Marc Winterhof confirmed the company “will enter the UK with a mid-size platform”, referring to the previously announced entry-level model to slot beneath the seven-seat Gravity and Air large sedan.

At the time, the new medium SUV was expected to be called the Lucid Earth, while a related electric sedan to rival the popular Tesla Model 3 and potentially an off-road model were also forecast to eventuate.

Mr Winterhof told Auto Express the new mid-size model family would arrive in December 2026 with a target starting price of less than US$50,000 (A$74,825) in North America, undercutting the base price of the Gravity which at that stage was priced from US$69,900 (A$104,575).

After prioritising the US and other left-hand drive markets including in Europe, which have similar safety and design certification requirements to Australia, RHD production for the UK also makes exporting the new mid-size SUV to markets like Australia easier.

According to this week’s Autocar report, Lucid’s smaller new SUV will be unveiled later this year before production starts at the company’s recently completed plant in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

It will be followed in 2028 by the “more off-road- and adventure-focused Earth” and then a larger, more practical derivative of the Cosmos.

All of these mid-size EVs will be based on a new platform employing a bespoke 800V electrical architecture and powered by more compact and efficient electric motors.

Lucid’s European president Lawrence Hamilton told Autocar that unlike the Air and Gravity, the Cosmos will be engineered for right-hand drive production from the start.

“It’s a case of making sure we’ve got the right product for the market opportunity that exists,” he said. “To engineer Air and Gravity for right-hand drive is a big investment, and there has to be a return on that investment. The volume opportunity really exists with the mid-size cars.”

Mr Hamilton said he expected strong demand for both the mainstream Cosmos and the Earth off-roader, citing the ongoing popularity of adventure-themed premium SUVs like the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

“So the more utilitarian direction, we definitely see appeal for that in Europe,” he said.

“It’s a statement piece about the way people want to spend their time. And there’s obviously huge market demand for the sleeker, sportier CUVs.”

“The strategy was always quite clear, which is to start relatively small and modestly. Arguably, Air and Gravity are proofs of concept and brand-building – they show the world what we’re capable of doing. Mid-size [models, like the Cosmos] will provide that capability to a bigger mass market.”

It’s a similar strategy to that employed by Tesla, which launched the large Model S liftback and Model X SUV before introducing the more affordable mid-size Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV.

Lucid’s European chief added that if the Cosmos is a success, it may fund RHD development of the Gravity in future, but he ruled out extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) and the prospect of Lucid producing anything other than EVs.

“We are not interested in having anything to do with fossil fuel-burning technologies. We are pure BEV, because we believe it makes a better product,” he said.

Lucid’s majority shareholder has been the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia since April 2019, while other investors include large index fund managers including Vanguard Group, BlackRock and State Street.

If it’s launched in Australia, Lucid would join other luxury EV brands here including Cadillac, Polestar and Zeekr.