“What would Enzo say?” Ferrari panned after launch of first $A900,000 electric car

Ferrari has unveiled its first fully electric vehicle, the Ferrari Luce, marking a significant departure from the brand’s traditional offerings. This model is also Ferrari’s first sedan, featuring four doors and seating for five passengers. The Luce boasts a powerful electric drivetrain with four motors—one at each wheel—delivering a combined output of 772kW and an extraordinary 11,500Nm of torque at the wheels. Its 122kWh battery enables a range of up to 530 kilometres (WLTP), while acceleration figures are impressive, with 0-100km/h achieved in just 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 310km/h. The car offers multiple driving modes that adjust power delivery and torque control, including a rear-wheel-drive ‘Range’ mode for efficiency and an unrestricted ‘Performance’ mode for maximum output. The interior combines traditional mechanical controls with cutting-edge digital displays developed exclusively by Samsung Display, featuring four OLED screens spread across the cabin. Despite these technological advancements, the Luce weighs in at 2,260kg and measures over five metres in length, reflecting its grand touring sedan status. However, the launch has sparked widespread criticism, particularly from Ferrari purists and influential figures within the automotive community. The car’s design, created by LoveFrom under Sir Jony Ive and Marc Newson, has been polarising, with many comparing it unfavourably to Apple products rather than classic Ferrari aesthetics. Former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo suggested the car should be stripped of the iconic Prancing Horse badge, likening it to the Dino models of the past, while Italy’s transport minister Matteo Salvini questioned what Ferrari’s founder, Enzo Ferrari, would think of the vehicle’s styling and high price tag. The Luce’s price, estimated at around €550,000 (approximately AUD 900,000), has also raised eyebrows, particularly given the mixed reception to its design and the brand’s shift towards electric mobility. Investor confidence appears to have been affected, with Ferrari’s share price dropping by 7 per cent following the announcement. The Luce represents a bold step into the electric future for Ferrari, but it remains to be seen whether the model will win over traditional enthusiasts or redefine the marque’s identity in the evolving automotive landscape.