Ferrari finally entered the era of electric cars. But this first step was not greeted with full applause. The new car named Luce actually triggered harsh criticism from investors, automotive figures, to netizens.
Quoted from The Guardian, Thursday, May 28, Luce is Ferrari's first electric car. It costs 550,000 euros or about 476,000 pounds sterling. This car has four electric motors, one for each wheel, and can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 2.5 seconds.
On paper, the numbers are very Ferrari: fast, expensive, and only make sense for super-rich people. The problem is in the shape and direction of its new bar.
Luce, which in Italian means "light", is not a low-slung two-door sports car like a classic Ferrari. Instead, it comes as a four-door model with five seats.
The design is led by Jony Ive, a former Apple executive. The minimalist touch of Apple makes Luce look different from the usual Ferrari, which is low, low, and full of aggressive curves.
The reaction was also harsh. According to a report by The Guardian, Ferrari's share price fell 8 percent. The pastel blue color used in the launch material was also compared to the Nissan Leaf, a much cheaper mass electric car.
Italian Transport Minister Matteo Salvini also took a swipe. "Aesthetically, the car speaks for itself," he wrote on X. He then added, "I wonder what Enzo Ferrari would say."
The sharpest criticism came from Luca di Montezemolo, former Ferrari boss who led the company for 23 years until 2014.
"If I had to say what I really think, I would hurt Ferrari," he told Italian media. He then added, "We risk destroying a legend, and I'm really sad about it. I hope they at least remove the prancing horse logo."
Ferrari is actually aware that this car will break opinions. Ferrari Chief Executive Benedetto Vigna once said that Luce was indeed designed to "break opinions". Ferrari wants to attract new buyers outside its traditional market, although it is still from the super-rich.
Technically, electric cars do force Ferrari to change. Electric cars are usually built on a platform containing batteries, motors, and wheels. This platform is often called a "skateboard".
Because of the large and heavy battery, the shape of the car changes. In Luce, the structure makes the body much higher than the Ferrari sports car. The top is only 4 centimeters lower than the Ferrari Purosangue SUV, and 40 centimeters higher than the F80 hybrid sports car.
However, the cabin space becomes more spacious. There is no transmission tunnel in the middle like a gasoline-powered car. As a result, Ferrari can install a fifth seat. For Ferrari's size, this is a big change.
Angus MacKenzie of MotorTrend said Luce's driving position still feels like a sports car. But otherwise, he called the car a "surprise from something new".
According to MacKenzie, the physical buttons and smart digital panel in the Luce interior could have an impact on the design of future cars. He assessed that although its shape breaks the connection with the past, the technology behind it opens the way for Ferrari to make more electric cars.
Making an electric supercar is not easy. Electric motors can give very fast acceleration from the start. Even mid-range electric cars can beat expensive gasoline cars in short-distance races.
But big batteries make cars heavier. The new challenge is no longer just horsepower, but how to make electric cars nimble when cornering.
"The horsepower wars are over," said MacKenzie. "The new holy grail is lateral acceleration, can you make an electric car corner properly."
Ferrari still believes Luce will have a market. Vigna said one of the cars launched this year was prepared to be more suitable for China, the world's largest electric car market.
Rhodri Darch, one of the bosses of Everrati, a British company that makes electric versions of classic cars for the rich, believes Ferrari still has broad appeal. Its buyers could come from petrol car enthusiasts who are starting to change, the founder of a technology company, and silent luxury lovers.
According to Darch, Luce is not going to be suitable for everyone. Ferrari can change. But the question is whether his old fans want to change?
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