3 Italian alternatives to the Ferrari Luce if you think it's ugly

Unless you haven't been online in recent weeks, you couldn't have missed the Ferrari Luce, the first electric Ferrari 100 %. Since its unveiling, everyone has had something to say about it: homeowners, collectors, Chinese, designers or simply fans of the Prancing Horse brand.

And it must be acknowledged that the reactions are far from unanimously positive. Between those who believe that Ferrari Having lost some of its identity—and with many people simply not warming up to its design—the Luce sparks more debate than it inspires. Some even go so far as to compare its style to that of an Apple product that has simply been rebranded as a Ferrari.

That said, all is not lost if you’re open to the idea of an Italian electric car. Because even if the Ferrari Luce doesn’t appeal to you, Italy already offers several alternatives that cover virtually every market segment: from exclusive hypercars to family SUVs and luxury sedans.

Pininfarina Battista: the electric hypercar

If your issue with the Ferrari Luce is primarily a matter of design or image, then the Pininfarina Battista is in a league of its own.

From the moment it debuted at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the Italian hypercar immediately turned heads. Its spectacular design bears the DNA of Pininfarina, a name synonymous with some of the most beautiful Ferraris in history. While the Luce divides opinion, the Battista is virtually universally acclaimed for its aesthetics.

And beneath its sculptural bodywork, the numbers are mind-boggling. With four electric motors producing a combined 1,900 horsepower and 2,300 Nm of torque, it goes from 0 to 100 km/h in under two seconds and reaches a top speed of 350 km/h. Its 120 kWh battery even gives it a range of over 470 kilometers.

With only 150 units produced, the Battista is now one of the most exclusive Italian cars in the world. Admittedly, its price far exceeds 3 million euros, and the market still seems hesitant about electric hypercars, as evidenced by several models still available for several months once they go on sale. But for anyone looking for an Italian electric car capable of making a visual impact even before you press the accelerator, it’s hard to find anything better.

Maserati GranTurismo Folgore: the GT that embodies Italian elegance

Not everyone needs 1,900 horsepower. For many enthusiasts of fine automobiles, an elegant grand tourer remains the best balance between driving pleasure, performance, and everyday practicality.

That is precisely the role of the Maserati GranTurismo Folgore. When Maserati unveiled this electric version of its famous GT, the brand made a smart decision: not to revolutionize its design. The Folgore retains the proportions that have made the GranTurismo a success for nearly twenty years, while modernizing its lines with the design cues introduced by the MC20.

The result is a car that is instantly recognizable as a Maserati. A long hood, a flowing silhouette, muscular fenders, and elegant lines: everything that some observers feel is missing from the Ferrari Luce. Under the bodywork, however, the technology is state-of-the-art. An 800-volt architecture, three electric motors, and up to 760 horsepower delivered to the wheels. Performance remains impressive, with 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds and a top speed of 320 km/h.

But what really sets the GranTurismo Folgore apart is its philosophy. While some electric cars seek to impress by breaking with the past, Maserati fully embraces its heritage. It looks like a GranTurismo, drives like a luxury GT, and retains that blend of sportiness and refinement that defines the Trident brand.

Maserati Grecale Folgore: the SUV for those who don't want to compromise on comfort

Not everyone dreams of owning a hypercar or a coupe that’s nearly five meters long. Today, the SUV remains the preferred choice for many buyers of luxury vehicles.

And in this category, the Maserati Grecale Folgore more than earns its place among the alternatives to the Ferrari Luce. Unlike the first electric Ferrari, which seems to be trying to adopt a silhouette that’s a cross between several styles, the Grecale fully embraces its status as a sporty SUV. Its design incorporates Maserati’s modern styling cues with an aggressive front end, balanced proportions, and a much more assertive visual presence.

Above all, Maserati has continued to refine its model. The range now extends up to 580 kilometers under the WLTP cycle. With 550 horsepower, 820 Nm of torque, and a 0-100 km/h time of 4.1 seconds, the Grecale Folgore more than lives up to the expectations of a demanding clientele.

The Italian Electric Vehicle Paradox

What’s ultimately interesting about the Ferrari Luce is that it’s currently hogging the spotlight, even though Italy already offers several electric vehicles capable of meeting a wide range of needs.

The Battista demonstrates that electric cars can be spectacular and exclusive. The GranTurismo Folgore proves that it’s possible to retain the traditional elegance of an Italian GT while making the switch to battery power. As for the Grecale Folgore, it shows that even an SUV can retain a strong identity without succumbing to the most controversial design trends, as seen with the Ferrari Luce. So if the Ferrari Luce doesn’t inspire you, rest assured: Italian electric cars are not limited to just that model.