Ferrari's first electric car breaks with tradition

Ferrari has unveiled its first fully electric car, the Luce, in Rome, marking the most dramatic departure from the brand's traditional two-seater sports car formula in its 79-year history. Unveiled at the Vela di Calatrava on the exact anniversary of Ferrari's first motorsport victory in 1947, the Luce is a four-door, five-seat vehicle featuring four electric motors delivering up to 1,036 horsepower when Launch Control is engaged. The car accelerates from 0-62mph in 2.5 seconds, reaches a top speed of 193mph and offers a range exceeding 329 miles from its 122kWh battery pack built in Maranello. The design was handled by LoveFrom, the creative studio founded by former Apple chief designer Jony Ive and industrial designer Marc Newson, working alongside Ferrari's internal design team led by Flavio Manzoni. The result is a smooth, aerodynamic shape with massive 23 and 24-inch wheels, the largest staggered sizes ever fitted to a series-production Ferrari. Rather than simulating a traditional engine sound, Ferrari developed a system that amplifies real vibrations from the electric motors, allowing drivers to adjust the sound profile through the new e-Manettino controller. The cabin features physical controls alongside screens and a glass key fob with an E Ink display. Despite the landmark launch, Ferrari's stock fell more than 6 percent on the Milan exchange following the announcement, with investors apparently unimpressed by the radical departure from tradition. The Luce arrives as other luxury carmakers have slowed their electric vehicle programs due to softer than expected demand, with Ferrari itself having reduced its 2030 EV sales target from 40 percent to 20 percent. Chief executive Benedetto Vigna emphasized the car represents "freedom of choice" rather than an abandonment of combustion engines, saying Ferrari remains committed to technological neutrality by offering fully electric, hybrid and combustion architectures simultaneously. The Luce is expected to appeal to customers who would not traditionally consider a Ferrari, potentially opening a new market segment for the brand.