Ferrari unleashes first BEV

Ferrari has made its first foray into the world of high performance electric sports cars after unveiling its latest model, the Luce.

The four-door fastback is the Italian marque’s first battery electric vehicle (BEV) and can complete the 0-100kph sprint in 2.5 seconds or clock 0-200kph in 6.8 seconds.

It boasts a top speed of more than 310kph and the car’s dedicated platform features four electric motors, one for each wheel, with a total output of 1,050hp.

Ferrari says it has used technologies derived from its experience in motor racing to contain the Luce’s kerb weight to 2260kg and deliver a range of 530km.

The futuristic-looking model is equipped with a high capacity 122kWh battery that supports fast charging up to 350kW, an active suspension system derived from the F80 and an independently steering rear axle.

Ferrari chose to engineer, develop and manufacture the main components of the Luce in-house, with elements from the electric engines to the battery pack created at its factory in Maranello, Italy. It notes the project to develop the BEV has included more than 60 new patents. 

The new architecture for the car accommodates five seats, which is a first for the Prancing Horse because transaxle configurations with a front-mid engine and a rear gearbox do not allow for a fifth seat. 

Other notable features include the Luce having the largest staggered wheel diameters on a series-production Ferrari road car – 23 inches in the front and 24 inches at the rear.

Road noise is reduced by the first elastically-mounted subframe in Maranello’s history, as well as active suspension, the optimisation of weight, rigidity and soundproofing.

The Luce also has the lowest drag coefficient in the history of Maranello’s road cars.

Benedetto Vigna, chief executive of Ferrari, says: “We are convinced that a company demonstrates its leadership when it has the courage to dare and to take on the challenge of new technologies. 

“Ferrari Luce was born precisely from this challenge, offering our unprecedented vision of electrification. 

“In line with our belief in technological neutrality, we are the first in the world to combine fully electric, hybrid and combustion engine architectures for sports cars. 

“This model is the result of more than 60 of our new patents and lies at the heart of an ecosystem of collaborations with outstanding technology partners.”