Peter Rawlinson

The Lucid Air, which will compete with the Tesla Model S, will come standard with such features as adaptive cruise control, lane centering, automatic emergency brakes and automated parking. It will also be one of the first production vehicles to be equipped with standard lidar, a laser-based sensor that detects obstacles and objects, including pedestrians, as part of the vehicle's collision avoidance system. Tesla chief Elon Musk has said Teslas do not need lidar because their other sensors -

Lucid says the Air signals the next generation of EVs.

Come take a look at the new IT EV.

The company is testing its EV powertrain in a Mercedes-Benz van.

Tesla is promoting 2012 as the Year of the Model S, but things are starting off with a bit of a set-back. Tesla spokesman Ricardo Reyes revealed that both Tesla vice president and chief engineer Peter Rawlinson and Nick Sampson, the Model S vehicle and chassis engineering supervisor, have left the company. The news caused TSLA stock to drop a record 19 percent, Bloomberg reported, and forced Tesla CEO Elon Mu

Driving Tesla Model S – Click above to watch the video

Peter Rawlinson with Tesla Model S Alpha Build Prototype – Click above for the high-res image gallery

Tesla Motors VP of Vehicle Engineering Peter Rawlinson with Model S – Click above to watch video after the jump

Peter Rawlinson custom-designed sports car - Click above for hi-res image