Ferrari Luce: Name & Details of New 4-Seat EV Revealed

Ferrari’s First EV, Named Luce, Boasts Interior Designed with Apple’s Jony Ive

Ferrari has officially named its first all-electric vehicle the Luce, Italian for “light,” and revealed striking details about its interior, which was developed in collaboration with design firm LoveFrom, founded by former Apple designers Jony Ive and Marc Newson. The unveiling, part of a phased rollout, took place at an event in San Francisco last week, offering a glimpse into the innovative design philosophy guiding the Italian automaker’s foray into the EV market.

The Luce represents a significant departure for Ferrari, not only in its powertrain but also in its design approach. For the past five years, Ferrari chairman John Elkann, CEO Benedetto Vigna, and chief designer Flavio Manzoni have worked with Ive and Newson to create an interior that blends tactile functionality with a minimalist aesthetic. While LoveFrom is known for its work on Apple’s touchscreen products, the Luce surprisingly prioritizes physical controls over expansive touchscreens.

“When everything is flat, you stop absorbing the information,” Ive explained during a roundtable discussion. He added that, despite his involvement in the development of the iPhone, he believes touchscreens are “the wrong technology” for automotive interfaces. “We used touch on the phone to solve a problem [of not enough real estate to hold all the needed buttons for the desired applications]. In a car, that’s just the wrong technology.”

Instead of relying heavily on touchscreens, the Luce features rows of machined metal switches and glass buttons, offering a more engaging and intuitive driving experience. The dashboard incorporates layered OLED displays with innovative cut-outs, integrating physical elements like needles and lenses to enhance clarity and visual interest. The gauge cluster and center infotainment screen utilize this approach, creating a sense of depth and tangibility.

The interior also showcases a slim, leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel adorned with anodized aluminum switches and black glass pods controlling essential functions like cruise control, drive modes, and lighting. Volume and seek controls are positioned on the back of the wheel, flanked by paddles that modulate torque delivery, aiming to provide a more connected driving feel.

The steering wheel hub is seamlessly integrated with the gauge binnacle, which adjusts to the driver’s preferred seating position. This binnacle features a sleek, aluminum-framed glass display with OLED graphics appearing to float at different levels. The display’s layered construction, a result of collaboration with Samsung, allows for the integration of physical needles and lenses, further enhancing readability and visual appeal.

The same design philosophy extends to the overhead console, which incorporates airplane-inspired toggles and pull-outs for controlling lights and launch control. In the center console, cut-out technology highlights a clock that can function as a chronometer or compass, complete with real, glowing needles. The console lids open butterfly-style with a satisfying magnetic click.

Even the gear selector is crafted from glass, a smooth, shot-glass-sized knob that slides through a set of machined glass surrounds. Ferrari emphasized the durability of the glass components, stating they were developed by Corning to be highly resistant to scratches and shattering – exceeding the protection offered by Gorilla Glass found in smartphones.

The Luce, a four-door, four-seater, is expected to deliver over 1000 horsepower and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 2.5 seconds, powered by four electric motors. It will also boast a 122 kWh battery pack and a range of approximately 330 miles (based on European testing standards). At just under 5100 pounds, it will be Ferrari’s heaviest offering, surpassing even the Purosangue SUV.

The complete unveiling of the Ferrari Luce, including its exterior design, is anticipated in May. This gradual reveal strategy underscores Ferrari’s deliberate approach to entering the electric vehicle market, aiming to build anticipation and showcase the innovative design and engineering behind its first all-electric offering.