Sports Car Ferrari Luce: Electric into the Future

Ferrari launches its first electric car on the market: the Luce. The model breaks with some traditions—but it still delivers plenty of power.

With the Luce, Ferrari has presented its first fully electric production model. Just over 16 ft long and weighing around 5,100 lbs, the four-door model combines classic design cues from the brand with a body format that is unusual for Ferrari. The wide roof line sweeps across the passenger compartment in an arch, while doors hinged in opposite directions and the absence of visible door handles add a futuristic touch.

The numerous air openings in the body are also striking, while Ferrari has largely dispensed with classic spoilers. At the rear, four round tail lights are reminiscent of historic Ferrari models such as the 328, while large 23-inch alloy wheels at the front and 24-inch wheels at the rear emphasize the extroverted appearance.

Ferrari Combines Luxury With Technology

Ferrari promises generous space in the interior. As there is no cardan tunnel running through the vehicle floor, rear passengers in particular benefit from more space in the footwell and more legroom. The trunk offers space for almost 159 gallons of luggage. The cockpit combines classic controls with modern digital technology. The retro-inspired three-spoke steering wheel is surrounded by dials, paddles, toggle switches and buttons. Behind it sits a display mounted on the steering column, which visualizes speed, battery status, air pressure or G-forces, among other things.

The center console is deliberately minimalist. Here you will find a glass gear selector lever, power window switches and a rectangular shelf for the digital signal transmitter, which replaces the classic vehicle key. This is made of Gorilla Glass and has an e-ink display. To the right of the steering wheel is a large touchscreen with an adjustable tilt angle.

It is supplemented by physical climate control switches and a small round additional display that shows either a clock, stopwatch or compass. Between the front seats, Ferrari has integrated another display with classic toggle switches, which rear passengers can use to regulate the air conditioning.

800 Volts And Electric Drive Delivers Horsepower

The drive is provided by an e-system based on an 800-volt architecture with four permanent magnet synchronous motors in radial flux design, as already used by Ferrari in the F80 hypercar. The two front axle motors produce 141 hp and 270 hp respectively. The rear axle is powered by two 416 hp electric motors, which can drive the Luce on their own if required.

There is a choice of three driving programs. In "Range" mode, the front engines remain largely decoupled. The power output is limited to 429 hp here and the top speed is 162 mph, as in "Tour" mode. In this mode, 617 hp is available. In the "Performance" program, the power output increases to 972 hp and the top speed is 193 mph. An additional boost function briefly mobilizes up to 1,035 hp. This allows the Luce to sprint to 62 mph in 2.5 seconds and the 124 mph mark is reached in 6.8 seconds.

Artificially generated driving noises, in which actuators also generate vibrations, are intended to emotionalize the driving experience. Rear-wheel steering, computer-aided driving dynamics control and torque vectoring also promise a high level of agility.

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The energy is supplied by a 122 kilowatt-hour battery. Ferrari states a range of 330 miles and a maximum fast-charging capacity of 469 hp. Ferrari plans to deliver the first vehicles at the end of 2026. However, the Luce is likely to remain an exclusive sight: The car is expected to cost well over the $540,000 USD mark.