Ferrari Luce: Price, specifications and the unexpected success in China of the first electric model
The initial 88 units sold out quickly, but dealers are still accepting orders with substantial down payments. How did a model that was heavily criticized by fans manage to conquer the world's most competitive electric market?
Officially presented earlier this year as an absolute revolution for the Italian manufacturer, the Ferrari Luce – the first 100% electric production model in the history of the brand – has already managed to write an intensely contested chapter in the automotive industry. Although its unconventional design has sparked a huge wave of global controversy and deeply divided the fan community, its commercial success on the Chinese market seems, at first glance, unstoppable. All 88 copies initially allocated for this country have been declared sold, although behind the scenes of the Asian market suggest a much more flexible strategy on the part of the manufacturer.
A disputed aesthetic: Between "UFO" and harsh criticism
The launch of the new Luce has shaken up the traditionalism of Prancing Horse fans. Designed in collaboration with LoveFrom, the creative collective led by famous designers Jony Ive and Marc Newson (known for their influence on Apple products), the model adopts a 5-seat liftback grand tourer silhouette — an absolute first for Ferrari.
Its futuristic, fluid form, however, drew severe criticism immediately after its debut. Industry insiders and even the brand’s long-term customers took issue with the new aesthetic, with some publicly calling it a form lacking the romance and aggression of a purebred Ferrari, while fans everywhere remained deeply divided. However, skepticism in the West has not dampened enthusiasm in one of the most important Asian markets.
The Chinese Paradox: "Sold-out," but waiting lists remain open
Arriving in China at the end of June, the Ferrari Luce was immediately reported to be completely sold out of its initial stock of 88 units. However, investigations in the Chinese business press (such as Beijing Business Today) have revealed that Ferrari showrooms in Beijing and other major metropolises are still accepting orders from interested customers.
To secure a place in the next production batches, Chinese customers are willing to pay considerable down payments, ranging from 400,000 to 500,000 yuan (approximately 50,000 - 65,000 euros), amounts that become completely non-refundable once the contract is signed. This dynamic clearly indicates that Ferrari is prepared to increase the number of units allocated to China if global demand dictates.
A huge advantage for the Luce in this region is the tax legislation. As a fully electric vehicle, the model is exempt from the harsh consumption taxes applied to large combustion engines and receives license plates much faster in large urban areas, becoming the ultimate social status symbol, without the exhausting bureaucracy associated with gasoline models.
Maranello-worthy performance, on paper
If the design is a subject of debate, the technical figures of the new Ferrari Luce restore the authority of Italian engineers:
- Propulsion: 4 independent electric motors, providing fully digital and instantaneous control on each wheel.
- Total power: 1050 horsepower (in boost mode) and a spectacular torque of 990 Nm.
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: Just 2.5 seconds.
- Battery: A gross capacity of 122 kWh, structurally integrated into the chassis made from 75% recycled aluminum. Advanced 800V architecture enables ultra-fast charging.
- Autonomy: 530 kilometers assured in the WLTP cycle.
Although there are much cheaper and theoretically faster local electric alternatives on the Chinese market — such as BYD's Yangwang U9, which offers over 1200 HP at half the price — the exclusivity of the Maranello logo and the prestige of the brand remain unbeatable arguments for the financial elite.
Price and exclusivity
In the European market, the new Ferrari Luce has an estimated starting price of around 520,000 euros. Surprisingly, in China, the car was launched at a price of 3,988,000 yuan (around $586,000), an extremely competitive value for the ultra-luxury segment there, precisely thanks to green tax exemptions.
The first deliveries to customers who have managed to secure a place on the list are scheduled to begin in the second half of next year. Until then, an engineering prototype arrived directly from Italy will undertake a presentation tour of major Asian cities, giving the public the chance to discover whether the first e-Ferrari truly lives up to its name in reality.