Kirsty Wark
Ferrari introduced its first fully electric car on Monday. It marks an important change for the luxury sports car company. Rivals such as Porsche and Lamborghini have reduced their EV plans because of low demand.
The Ferrari Luce
The four-door Luce means “light” in Italian. Former Apple design leader Jony Ive helped create it with his group LoveFrom. It is Ferrari’s first five-seat car.
Price and Launch
Deliveries of the Luce are expected to begin in the last quarter of 2026. The car is priced at €550,000 ($640,000).
The Luce is the result of five years of development. CEO Benedetto Vigna shared this information with more than 200 reporters in Rome.
Performance and Technology
The Luce produces 1,000 horsepower. It can reach 60 miles per hour in just over two seconds.
The car uses a Ferrari-built electric motor on each wheel. This setup helps it reach 60 mph (96 km/h) in about 2.5 seconds.
Galliera described the car as truly impressive. It has four electric motors. One motor powers each wheel. The car delivers more than 1,000 horsepower. Its top speed exceeds 310 kph. It also offers better handling despite weighing more than 2.2 tons.
Ferrari said the Luce can travel more than 500 kilometers on a full charge.
The company also said all parts are made in-house. This will help Ferrari repair the car for many years. It may also protect the Luce’s resale value.
Design and Interior
The design of the five-seat car was mainly led by Jony Ive. The work was done through LoveFrom, the design company he runs with Marc Newson.
The launch included a special light show. Five Luce cars were displayed. The colors ranged from Ferrari red to white and light blue. The design is different from Ferrari’s usual sporty look. It has a larger body and a wide, glass-focused appearance.
Inside, the Luce keeps Ferrari’s luxury style. It uses leather, glass, and anodized aluminum surfaces. The car also includes several physical controls. It does not rely entirely on touchscreens like Tesla and some Chinese EV brands.
Ferrari’s EV Strategy
The Luce enhances the natural vibration sounds of its electric system. This helps maintain the emotional feel of a traditional Ferrari.
The car represents a bet on the future. Ferrari believes a technology-focused generation will prefer high-tech luxury EVs.
Ferrari also hopes the Luce will strengthen its position in China. Electric vehicles are already common there. Large petrol-powered cars also face high taxes.
Ferrari admitted its main target customer already owns an electric vehicle.
Market and Public Reaction
Many people have strong opinions about Ferrari’s first EV.
The wedge-shaped design has received widespread criticism. Reactions range from quick negative comments to very harsh criticism.
Financial markets also reacted with caution.
Trading resumed in Italy on Tuesday after the Pentecost holiday. Ferrari’s share price quickly fell by about 6%.
Social media reactions were mixed. Some people called the car junkyard trash. Others described it as a masterclass in design. Ferrari’s reveal of the Luce has attracted similar criticism.
China as a Key Market
China may be the most likely reason behind Luce’s design and strategy.
Chinese buyers usually account for about 10% of Ferrari’s sales. However, those numbers have fallen in recent years.
Company leaders have openly stated their goals. They want the Luce to improve sales in the world’s largest EV market.
From that perspective, the design becomes easier to understand. The Luce resembles some vehicles from China’s fast-growing automotive industry.
Jony Ive’s Influence
Most people now know that LoveFrom helped develop the Luce. The studio is led by former Apple designer Jony Ive.
LoveFrom helped shape the Luce’s appearance. The design moves away from Ferrari’s traditional style.
By allowing LoveFrom to design the Luce, Ferrari may have given Jony Ive a chance to express ideas from a vision once linked to Apple’s ambitious vehicle project.
