Jony Ive’s Ferrari Redefines the Iconic Design

Ferrari is known for crafting some of the fastest cars in the world, so it’s surprising to see the Italian brand arrive late to the electric vehicle (EV) scene. While many automakers have scaled back their EV plans, Ferrari has stepped into the spotlight with a unique offering: the all-electric Luce.

The Luce was revealed at the Vela di Calatrava, a striking sports complex near Rome. This model is one of the most anticipated and talked-about EVs since the electric revolution began. An electric Ferrari is a significant milestone!

However, the Luce doesn’t resemble a traditional Ferrari at all. Its design is more reminiscent of an Apple product, thanks to collaboration with LoveFrom, the design firm led by renowned Apple designer Jony Ive and his partner Marc Newson. This could be as close as we get to an Apple car.

The exterior features smooth, rounded lines, leading some to compare it to a Magic Mouse. Fortunately, the charge port isn’t located on the bottom of the car. Fans of the brand are understandably upset; passionate reactions are flooding social media as diehard Ferrari enthusiasts express their disappointment.

On a personal note, I find the design intriguing. Ive’s minimalist approach at Apple contrasts with the Luce’s interior, which is filled with buttons, knobs, and switches. Yet, the screens maintain the rounded corners typical of Apple devices, showcasing Ive’s influence.

The central display is mounted on a ball-and-socket joint, allowing it to pivot toward the driver or passenger, and includes a palm rest for easy interaction. The mechanical multigraph display, powered by three independent motors, can function as a clock, chronograph, compass, or launch control indicator.

The rounded edges and metallic finish reflect Jony Ive’s signature style, emphasizing meticulous attention to detail. The aggressive lines and sharp angles that have defined Ferrari for nearly 80 years are replaced with a sweeping “glass house,” large aerodynamic wings, and flush lighting, achieving the lowest drag coefficient in Ferrari’s history. If Ferrari was going to reinvent its design language, this was the model to do it with.

Whether Ferrari will fully embrace the Luce’s Apple-like features by integrating CarPlay Ultra remains uncertain. The automaker has yet to confirm if this expanded version of CarPlay, which takes over multiple screens and controls essential functions, will be available in any of its models.

Beneath its polarizing exterior, the Ferrari Luce boasts impressive performance. It’s equipped with four electric motors generating a combined 1,035 horsepower, though not evenly distributed. The front motors produce 282hp, while the rear motors deliver a robust 835hp. This setup allows for a thrilling 0–60 mph time of just 2.5 seconds and 0–124 mph in 6.8 seconds. While it may not be as quick as some competitors, the experience of speeding down a straightaway will likely overshadow any minor differences.

Powering these motors is a 122kWh battery pack, which is the gross capacity. Ferrari claims a range of 330 miles on the WLTP cycle, though this figure is often more optimistic than EPA ratings. A more realistic estimate would be around 310 miles. The Luce also features an 800-volt architecture for rapid DC charging, capable of reaching up to 350kW.

The Luce marks several milestones for Ferrari: it’s the brand’s first EV, the first four-door sedan, and the heaviest Ferrari ever, weighing in at 4,982 pounds—about 100 pounds more than the four-door Purosangue SUV. It’s a bit ironic for a model named “light.”

Despite being heavier than the Purosangue, the Luce has a slightly shorter wheelbase, which accommodates the battery integrated into the chassis floor. This design choice highlights the fundamental differences between creating an EV and a traditional sports car. If Ferrari had simply swapped in a battery and electric motors into one of its classic two-door models, the results would have been disappointing in terms of range and aerodynamics. Instead, Ferrari has crafted the Luce to be a standout EV.

While Ive may not have designed a car before, Newson has experience in automotive design. The Luce bears a striking resemblance to the Ford 021C, a retrofuturistic concept car unveiled in 1999. Newson, who collaborated with Ive at Apple, designed the 021C to resemble a child’s drawing of a car, complete with rounded edges and a floating roof. The Luce shares similar features, including front-hinged doors and a trunk that slides out like a drawer.

The concept of an electric Ferrari has been in the air for over eight years. Former Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne hinted at the possibility during the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, stating, “If there is an electric supercar to be built, then Ferrari will be the first.”

While Ferrari may not have been the first to market an electric supercar, it has introduced something truly unique. Whether this is a positive or negative development will be determined by the select few who can afford the Luce’s starting price of $640,000 (€550,000). The automaker’s board, which includes an Apple executive, is likely pleased with this new direction.

As for the elusive Apple car, the Luce might be the closest we ever get. The real Apple vehicle, which was ultimately scrapped, remains a mysterious concept that never fully materialized. While that effort may have been largely in vain, its spirit lives on—right in Rome.