Ferrari unveils first fully electric car

Ferrari has unveiled its first fully electric vehicle, the $640,000 (£474,320) Luce, a five-seater liftback sedan that marks a radical departure from the brand's traditional sports car design [1][2]. The Luce, Italian for 'light', features an electric motor on each wheel, enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 2.5 seconds [1]. Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna stated the vehicle took half a decade to develop [1]. The company is manufacturing all components in-house to ensure future repairability and protect the car's resale value [1]. This launch follows Ferrari's previous focus on hybrid models, such as the limited-edition, naturally aspirated V12 Daytona SP3 [3], and comes as the brand celebrates recent motorsport success, including three consecutive overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with its 499P hypercar [4]. Initial reactions on social media have been polarized, with some users comparing the design unfavorably to Jaguar's criticized electric concepts, while others praised it as an 'absolute masterclass' [1]. Chief design officer Flavio Manzoni acknowledged the design is 'polarising' but expects appreciation to grow [1]. The move into full electrification contrasts with actions by rivals; Lamborghini has abandoned all-electric plans for hybrids, and Porsche has scaled back its EV ambitions due to weak demand and competition [1]. Other Italian manufacturers, like Maserati with its electric GranTurismo Folgore, have also entered the EV space [5]. Ferrari, which will continue to offer petrol and hybrid cars, is entering a market pioneered by vehicles like the first-generation Tesla Roadster, which was the first production all-electric car to achieve a range over 200 miles [6]. The Luce's five-seat configuration and liftback design represent a significant shift from Ferrari's recent V8 grand tourers like the California and its successor, the Portofino [7][8]. The company's strategy relies on selling highly exclusive models to shield it from broader market pressures, even as its shares have fallen over 25% in the past year amid a luxury sector slump [1].