Introducing the Ferrari Luce... and what Ferrari owners really think of it

Ferrari knew that its first 100 % electric car would be the talk of the town. But probably not to this extent. With the new Ferrari Luce, the Maranello-based brand has perhaps just signed up for the most controversial launch in its recent history. For, beyond the impressive specification sheet, it is above all the reactions of Ferrari enthusiasts, owners and collectors that are striking: rarely has a Ferrari will have provoked such a rejection as soon as it is presented.

Officially presented in Rome, the Ferrari Luce marks a complete break with the Italian automaker's usual codes. More than 5 meters long, electric, with five seats, four engines for 1050 hp and a 122 kWh battery, it looks like no other Ferrari ever seen. Ferrari even claims a radically different approach, entrusted in part to the LoveFrom studio of Jony Ive, the famous former Apple designer. A decision that clearly does not sit well with some of the tifosi.

On the Ferrari owner forums, reactions were immediate. And often extremely harsh.

«How could anyone validate such a design?» writes one owner. Another spoke of ’one of the ugliest cars of the last twenty years«. On the forums, several members compare the Ferrari Luce to a Toyota Prius, a Honda, or even a revisited Fiat Multipla. Others denounce a car with »no soul«, »no emotion« or »no Italian identity«.

Perhaps most striking is the sense of betrayal expressed by many historic owners. «Sergio Pininfarina must be turning in his grave,» wrote one member. Another sums up: «This is not a Ferrari.»

In fact, the presence of Jony Ive and his studio LoveFrom in the project is a recurring theme in the reviews. Many enthusiasts feel that the car looks more like an Apple product than a Ferrari. «It's an iPhone on wheels,» quips one owner. Another added: «If it had been badged Apple, it would have been the same.»

And this rejection is not just about design. The switch to electric vehicles remains an extremely sensitive subject among Ferrari customers. A survey of almost 400 Ferrari owners is particularly revealing. To the question «Will you buy the new Ferrari Elettrica?», 76.6 % simply answered... «never». Only 4.2 % said they would buy one soon. Even more interesting: 13.7 % explain that they might buy it only to hope to obtain an allocation for a Ferrari Icona or a future thermic special series (however Ferrari's CEO made it clear that this would not be possible.).

In other words, even among the most affluent and loyal customers, many see the Luce more as a ticket to more desirable models than as a truly desirable Ferrari.

On one forum, some comments are particularly biting. «Anyone who buys this model deserves to receive the next supercar as a bonus», writes one member. Several owners also spoke of the fear of a massive discount, some taking the example of Porsche Taycans or electric Maseratis, which are already struggling to convince on the second-hand market.

Even the Luce's impressive performance seems to leave the tifosi indifferent. With a 0 to 100 km/h time of 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 310 km/h, the electric Ferrari boasts supercar-like figures. But for many, that's no longer enough. «Customers want emotion. Visual, auditory... there?» sums up one owner.

On social networks, the reactions picked up from Ferrari owner groups are just as violent. «Hideous», «Awful», «A disgrace», «April fools», «Even the Chinese are prettier now»: the negative comments are multiplying. Some owners even say they'll keep their atmospheric V12s at all costs.

Ferrari, however, seems to be fully embracing this shift. The brand estimates that by 2030, its sales will be split between 40 % of combustion engines, 40 % of hybrids and 20 % of electrics. It remains to be seen whether the Luce will really succeed in seducing a new, ultra-fortunate technophile clientele, as some observers seem to think, or whether it will become a mere bump in the road in Maranello's history. The order book will be the only judge!