Luce: the Ferrari of debate

Ferrari, the car manufacturer of combustion engines and the smell of gasoline, has created a vehicle miles away from the company philosophy that the public has been used to until now.
The Ferrari Luce, Maranello’s first 100% electric car, went around the web and social media within hours, generating praise but also criticism toward the Italian luxury brand. Luca di Montezemolo, former director of Ferrari and Alitalia, told Askanews microphones: “If I were to say what I think, I would hurt Ferrari. There is a risk of destroying a myth, and I am very sorry. I hope they at least remove the Prancing Horse from that car.”
A real media storm. On social media the situation is no different: thousands of harsh comments overwhelmed the official pages of the Maranello company, and even the stock market value was affected.
It cannot be denied that Luce is a different car and far from the “usual” Ferraris, but does it really deserve all this criticism?
The idea of an electric Ferrari had already been a controversial issue for some time. Luce brings with it more than 60 patents and an absolute novelty in design, shifting from aggressive styling to much more rounded lines, almost like a concept car. The hand of Jony Ive, former designer and innovator of the famous technology company Apple, shows carefully crafted lines for both interiors and exteriors. It is one of the few Ferraris not designed by the company’s own design center. “The interpretation by a designer outside the Ferrari Design Studio directed by Flavio Manzoni allowed a fresh perspective. This architecture generously accommodates four doors and five seats, an absolute first for the Prancing Horse,” explains the statement.
It is clear that the design, however debated and controversial, has been refined down to the smallest details by expert and innovative hands. Furthermore, the five seats effectively make it a true “family Ferrari.”
The strengths of this particular electric vehicle are not only linked to stylistic innovations but above all to the mechanical and technical quality hidden beneath the bodywork. The platform was developed ad hoc, allowing a rather low weight (for an electric vehicle) of 2,260 kg and a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 2.5 seconds. “Top speed exceeds 310 km/h with four electric motors (one for each wheel) delivering a total of 1,055 hp and a range of 530 km,” explains the company. The technical data highlight careful work behind the development of this model, but what is truly impressive from an engineering standpoint are two innovations: wheel movement control in all directions and under any dynamic condition, and the authentic approach to sound, a Ferrari patent for a unique driving experience.
It is difficult for a car of this kind to be understood by the general public; it will take time to interpret every detail and every innovation. Certainly, quality is not lacking and, however different it may be, the great work of mechanical and architectural fine-tuning carried out by Ferrari is evident.
“The name Ferrari Luce recalls clarity and direction: it illuminates the road toward the future and defines the intention of creating a 360° Ferrari, which is not simply ‘the electric Ferrari’ but a completely new Ferrari.” With these words, the Maranello company launches its challenge toward an uncertain and difficult future that for several years has involved many European automotive brands.