How Ferrari's New Luce Takes EV Design to the Next Level

Ferrari has unveiled the interior of its first electric vehicle, the Luce, giving fans a first look at the car’s blend of heritage and future-focused design.

Ferrari has revealed the interior of its first all-electric vehicle (EV), named the Luce. The launch follows a collaboration with LoveFrom, a firm led by Sir Jony Ive of Apple fame and industrial designer Marc Newson.

Work on the car, which blends heritage with future-focused design, has been ongoing for five years. 

In Italian, “luce” means light or illumination, a moniker that the company says “signifies the brand’s unwavering focus on the future”.

This represents a new naming strategy for an “important addition” to its range. The interior is packed with aluminium, made using 100% recycled alloy, and glass.

While the car’s exterior will not be revealed until May, its interior gives a strong indication about Ferrari’s future vision for EVs. Benedetto Vigna, Ferrari’s CEO, says: “If you want to be a leader, you have to be bold. You don’t have to be afraid to explore new paths.”

He further notes regarding the integration of tech and design: “The best way to use technology is to start from the emotions and the feelings of human beings.” He explains that Ferrari wants to use EV technology to “redefine the limit of possible, audaciously”.

Strategic creative partnership formed

LoveFrom is described as a “creative collective” of architects, artists, filmmakers, graphic designers, industrial designers and more.

It was founded in 2019 by Sir Ive and has studios in San Francisco and London.

Before founding LoveFrom in 2019, he was Apple’s Chief Design Officer with work across iconic products including the iPhone, MacBook, Apple Watch and iOS.

LoveFrom works closely with OpenAI and a small number of selective projects including Ferrari. In the development phase of Luce, it worked with the Ferrari Styling Centre, led by Chief Design Officer Flavio Manzoni.

The Ferrari Luce has a three-spoke steering wheel similar to the Nardi wheel of the 1950s and 1960s. It is made using recycled aluminium in an alloy developed specially for this vehicle to ensure mechanical resistance and high surface quality.

The wheel is made from 19 Computer Numerical Control (CNC)-machined parts and weighs 400g less than a standard Ferrari steering wheel.

Innovative interior design elements

The Luce’s interface focuses on tactility, clarity and intuitive interaction, Ferrari says, using mechanical controls in many places. 

Its key is made of glass and features an E Ink display. When inserted into its dock, the key changes colour from yellow to black. The car features three displays: the driver binnacle, control panel and rear control panel.

A ball-and-socket joint allows the control panel to be oriented towards the driver or passenger. An embedded multigraph can display a clock, chronograph, compass or launch control.

While the company has produced hybrid cars since 2013, the Luce will be its first Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV).

The first car under the Ferrari name was made in 1947, marking a significant heritage that the brand aims to carry into this new powertrains era.

Leading the electric transition

Gianmaria Fulgenzi, Chief Product Development Officer at Ferrari, says: “Since this was the first time we developed a fully electric vehicle, we filed more than 60 patents.”

He outlines the impact on the workforce and production capabilities. “At this moment, we are implementing into our production lines what will fuel the work of many young men and women."

Gianmaria continues that these employees, "through their daily efforts, will give even more value and even more heart to our cars.”

The transition involves significant human capital and engineering focus. Ferrari’s core team producing this car consists of more than 100 engineers and work across all areas from electric motors to inverters.

“Building a car is an incredibly difficult endeavour, and it really takes the passion of so many people,” explains John Elkann, Executive Chairman of Ferrari.

Regarding the timeline and attention to detail required for such a strategic shift, John adds: “We really wanted to give ourselves the time to make sure that every single detail is the best possible.”

The distinction between a standard electric vehicle and the brand's specific approach remains a priority for the leadership team.

“Ours is not an electric car,” Gianmaria says, “ours is an electric Ferrari. And those are two very different things.”