Ferrari’s first-ever fully electric production car, the Luce, will make its India debut at the Universo Ferrari exhibition in New Delhi on October 17. This electric grand tourer will be displayed at the marquee event for the Yashobhoomi India International Convention and Expo Centre. While this will be the showpiece for the marque, the Luce is unlikely to be on sale or available for buyers in the near future. The electric car’s name translates into ‘light,’ and it signifies a new era for the Italian automaker.
The four-wheel electric drive system, which Ferrari has been testing, has a power output of approximately 1,035 to 1,050 bhp and 990 Nm of torque. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes just 2.5 seconds, and the top speed is 310 km/h. Its 122 kWh battery pack, which sits in a purpose-built electric platform with an 800 V architecture, provides more than 530 km of range on a full charge. The battery also supports a maximum charge rate of 350 kW. The Luce is more than just another Ferrari, however. The four-door, five-seat GT is the first production car in Ferrari’s history that can seat five passengers and one of the largest cars ever produced under the Prancing Horse emblem. Ferrari designers from the LoveFrom studio, including Sir Jony Ive and Marc Newson, were instrumental in developing the car’s unique exterior and interior.
The minimalist design and distinctive profile bear little resemblance to traditional Ferrari sports cars, eliciting both praise and condemnation from fans and critics. Meanwhile, the driving dynamics are unquestionably Ferrari: The torque vectoring, active suspension, and dynamic technologies have all been carefully chosen to ensure that the Luce handles like a genuine Ferrari, only quicker and more responsive.
The Universo Ferrari experience is much more than a look at the Luce. October 17-1, 2023, will see the marquee event take place at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi, India. It will feature a varied mix of cars and displays, including vintage Ferraris, modern road cars, and racing Ferraris. While the first two days of the exhibition are by invitation only, the general public can enter on October 19. In addition to Ferrari’s rich racing history, the display will include some of the company’s most iconic road cars.
The 12Cilindri, Purosangue, 849 Testarossa, F80 and Amalfi Spider will be on display, along with a variety of other vehicles. The Luce would fit right in with the rest of the Ferraris on display, but it doesn’t have to choose between combustion and electricity. Ferrari has always been about pushing the boundaries of performance and technology, and now it finds itself at the forefront of the transition to alternative energy propulsion. With the Luce, Ferrari is reinterpreting the GT car for the modern era, blending old and new to create something that only Ferrari could imagine and execute.
The Luce will generate controversy and discussion among Indians, as it will among Ferrari fans worldwide. Ferrari has established a strong reputation in India, where it has a small but dedicated following. It can therefore use the launch of the electric Luce to further strengthen its prestige. While there is no official word on pricing or availability in India, Ferrari cars typically start at around Euro 550,000 in Europe.