Ferrari presented its first fully electric car yesterday, marking a high-stakes pivot for the luxury automaker at a time when rivals such as Porsche and Lamborghini are scaling back their EV ambitions, citing sluggish demand.

The four-door 'Luce' was developed with the assistance of former Apple design chief Jony Ive and his LoveFrom collective, and stands as the first five-seater Ferrari.

Ferrari aims to attract affluent families by offering comfortable seating, high-end technology, and a 600-liter trunk. Deliveries of the long-awaited Luce, priced at 550,000 euros, are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.

'It is the result of five years of work', CEO Benedetto Vigna told more than 200 journalists gathered in Rome.

The 'Luce', which amplifies the natural sounds of its electric powertrain vibrations to maintain the allure of a traditional Ferrari, represents a bet that a generation captivated by technology and AI, and less tethered to the tradition of 12- and 8-cylinder engines, will transition to high-tech luxury EVs.

Ferrari also hopes this will allow it to expand further into markets such as China, where electric vehicles are already widespread and large gasoline-powered cars are heavily taxed.

'Within our clientele, there are many... who are still looking for something completely different, to be used at different moments in life', said Ferrari's Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, Enrico Galliera.

'It is absolutely extraordinary', Galliera added regarding the car, which features four electric motors -- one for each wheel -- helping to deliver over 1,000 horsepower, a top speed exceeding 310 km/h, and enhanced agility for a vehicle weighing more than 2.2 tons.

Ferrari stated that the 'Luce' has a range of over 500 kilometers.

The launch, accompanied by a light show, featured five 'Luce' models, painted in colors ranging from Ferrari red to white and light blue, marking a departure from the brand's typical aggressive and muscular sporting style, with a larger body and an expansive design dominated by glass.

The interior of the 'Luce' echoes traditional Ferrari luxury, featuring leather, glass, and anodized aluminum surfaces, along with several physical controls that contrast with the fully digital, touchscreen-based approach of Tesla and some Chinese EV manufacturers.

(Translated by Rome Newsroom, editing by Stefano Bernabei)