Italian supercar giant Ferrari has revealed its first fully electric vehicle and first five-seater model – the 'Luce' – to reporters in Rome. The car was developed with help from former Apple design chief Jony Ive and his collective LoveFrom.
The first models of the Luce (Italian for 'light') are set for delivery from the fourth quarter of 2026, with a price tag around €550,000 (roughly $640,000).
The launch comes at a challenging time for automakers and their electrification plans. Several manufacturers, including Ferrari, are scaling back EV targets due to headwinds in the major US market and intensifying competition from domestic manufacturers in China.
However, the war in Iran and subsequent pressure on fuel prices serve as a reminder of some EV advantages. Initial market reaction was skeptical: when trading reopened in Italy on Tuesday, Ferrari's share price dropped about 6%, losing around €3.7 billion in market capitalization.
Ferrari F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, just returned from Sunday's race in Montreal, unveiled the car at the Rome event. CEO Benedetto Vigna said it is 'the result of five years of work.'
The first-ever five-seater Ferrari with a generous trunk aims to compete in markets like China, where EV use is widespread and large combustion engine cars face heavy taxes. Chief marketing officer Enrico Galliera noted: 'In our client base there are many who are still looking for something completely different, to be used in different moments of life.'
Despite its 2.2-ton bulk, the Luce promises prancing horse performance: four electric motors deliver over 1,000 horsepower, a top speed of 310 km/h, and 0-100 km/h in 2.5 seconds. The 122 kWh battery provides a theoretical range of over 500 km, and fast charging from 10% to 80% takes 20-25 minutes.
Ferrari attempts to preserve a traditional soundtrack by amplifying natural vibration sounds from the EV powertrain. The glass-heavy design maximizes light entry. In contrast to Tesla and Chinese EV makers, Ferrari favors physical controls and dials over all-digital touchscreens.
Source: www.dw.com