We have been waiting for Luce Ferrari for eight years.
It was January 2018 when, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, in the past Ferrari chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne first hinted at the “playing horse” EV compete with Tesla.
“If there is going to be a big electric car built, then Ferrari will be the first,” Marchionne said. “People are surprised by what Tesla did with the supercar: I’m not trying to minimize that Elonbut I think it can be done by all of us.”
Well, Ferrari wasn’t the first. But it certainly has taken the prize for the most anticipated EV launch ever, what with the drip-feeding strategy of the Elettrica “nickname” model, then last October. powertrain announcesthen, the month of February, Apple-esque LoveFrom-designed interior directed by Jony Ive and Marc Newson.
Today’s unveiling of the exterior in Rome by Ferrari ends the secrecy and completes the process. This is Luce (Italian for “light”), the most important thing Maranello has done in decades.
Courtesy of Ferrari
The numbers are highly relevant. Four motors, one for each wheel, have a combined output of more than 1,000 horsepower in Acceleration mode. The rear axle puts 832 hp and 7,750 Nm to the wheels. The front axle adds 282 hp and 3,400 Nm. Full power is available in less than a second. Zero to 62 mph is covered in 2.5 seconds, then on to a top speed of 192 mph. This is effectively a hypercar in GT guise with five seats (a first for Ferrari).
The 122 kWh battery—one of the largest in any production EV—charges up to 350 kW on an 800-volt system. Ferrari claims this battery gives the Luce a range of more than 329 miles per charge. All-wheel drive and steering have been inspired by the Purosangue SUV. Ferrari has confirmed a curb weight of 4,982 pounds, or 2,260 kilograms, which is only about 200 pounds more than the Purosangue, despite that larger battery pack.
Courtesy of Ferrari
