Ferrari has finally pulled the cover off the Luce, its first fully electric production car, and nothing about it is business as usual. Unveiled at a dedicated event in Rome on 25 May, the four-door, five-seat model represents the most dramatic design and engineering departure in Maranello's 78-year history.
The most striking thing about the Luce is its form. Ferrari enlisted LoveFrom, the design studio led by Sir Jony Ive and Marc Newson, to shape both the exterior and interior alongside Ferrari's own Flavio Manzoni. The result is a car that prioritises aerodynamic efficiency over the sensuous curves that have defined the brand. A drag coefficient lower than any prior roadgoing Ferrari is achieved through tunnel-like front and rear spoilers, active grille shutters and staggered 23-inch front and 24-inch rear wheels, the largest ever fitted to a production Ferrari, available in both five-spoke and aero-optimised turbine designs.
The engineering is no less ambitious. Four synchronous permanent-magnet motors produce a combined 1,035 horsepower, making the Luce the most powerful roadgoing Ferrari ever. The rear pair delivers 831 hp alone, with the front contributing 282 hp. Despite a curb weight approaching 5,000 pounds, Ferrari claims 0-62 mph in 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 193 mph. A launch mode, activated by a pull handle in the overhead console, unlocks an additional 54 horsepower.
A 122-kWh battery on an 800-volt architecture supports charging at up to 350 kW, with an estimated WLTP range of around 330 miles. Ferrari has committed to long-term support for the high-voltage systems, including factory-backed servicing and lifecycle assistance, addressing one of the key anxieties around early EV ownership from a brand whose cars are typically kept for decades.
Inside, the Luce sets a new benchmark for balancing analogue tactility with digital instrumentation. Three metal-ringed dials on the instrument cluster are actually OLED displays within a wider digital screen. The centre touchscreen pivots towards driver or passenger and incorporates physical switches. Rear-seat passengers get their own screen. The steering wheel ditches the Purosangue's frustrating touchpads for real switchgear, including twin manettino dials and paddles that control regenerative braking and torque delivery, an attempt to preserve the mechanical involvement Ferrari owners expect.
Ferrari's approach to sound is particularly considered. Rather than simulating a V12 soundtrack, the Luce captures mechanical noise from inside the rear axle and processes it through a patented amplification system. The intensity varies by mode, from near-silent Range to the full-throated Perfo setting.
Reaction has been mixed. Ferrari's share price fell after the reveal, with some analysts questioning whether the Ive-led design language aligns with the brand's heritage. At EUR 550,000, around USD 640,000, the Luce is no entry-level model either. But with Lamborghini having cancelled its own EV and McLaren remaining noncommittal, Ferrari is the first supercar maker to actually commit to the electric era. Whether the market follows remains the question. The Luce reaches European buyers later this year, with a US arrival planned for the second quarter of 2027.
