Ferrari’s upcoming electric vehicle, the Luce, is poised to break with tradition, according to its designer Jony Ive – the man renowned for shaping the modern iPhone. While technical details, including a 1000bhp four-motor powertrain, have already surfaced, Ive admits to “anxiety” over revealing the car’s exterior design to the public in May.
A Singular Vision: Interior and Exterior Developed Together
The Luce will be a four-door, four-seat GT with a ride height similar to the Purosangue, but its design philosophy is where it truly diverges. Ive’s firm, LoveFrom, collaborated with designer Marc Newson to develop the interior and exterior simultaneously. This unconventional approach, as Newson explained, ensures a “cohesive and singular” final product.
“Everything at once” is how Newson described the design process, indicating that the body shell and cabin were not treated as separate entities.
This integrated strategy suggests the Luce’s exterior will be as bold and distinctive as its retro-inspired interior (already previewed). The result will be a departure from Ferrari’s existing lineup, offering a fresh aesthetic while remaining recognizably a Ferrari.
Avoiding the “Design by Committee” Pitfall
Ive emphasized that the Luce is not a product of fragmented departmental work. Too often, he stated, car designs suffer from a lack of unity when different teams operate in silos. This cohesive approach, he believes, will resolve issues like touch control overuse (a common critique of modern interiors) and deliver a more harmonious user experience.
The Luce is intended to embody simplicity and inherent beauty, despite being fundamentally different from other Ferrari models. While Ive insists it will “still clearly” be a Ferrari, it will represent a new direction for the brand.
The full reveal in Maranello next month will finally unveil the extent of this design revolution. The anticipation is high, as Ive himself acknowledges, given the radical nature of this electric future for Ferrari.
