Ferrari’s first electric vehicle, the Luce, is taking shape with significant design input from LoveFrom, the creative collective founded by former Apple design chief Sir Jony Ive and Marc Newson. The collaboration marks a notable departure for the Italian automaker, signaling a willingness to embrace new design languages while upholding its legacy of craftsmanship and performance. This move underscores the growing trend of established industries seeking expertise from the world of consumer technology to redefine their product experiences.
Inside the Ferrari Luce Electric Vehicle
The interior of the Ferrari Luce blends elements of the brand’s heritage with forward-looking technology, featuring a streamlined and organized layout that integrates both physical controls and digital displays. In a departure from the increasing prevalence of large touchscreens in electric vehicles, Ferrari is prioritizing tactile interaction with physical buttons, levers, and switches to maintain a direct connection between driver and vehicle. This design choice reflects a commitment to the driving experience and a rejection of what Ive described as “bizarre and lazy” assumptions about the relationship between electric power and digital interfaces.
The three-spoke steering wheel reimagines a classic Nardi design from the 1950s and 60s. Constructed from recycled aluminum, it’s approximately 400 grams lighter than standard Ferrari steering wheels and incorporates analog controls inspired by Formula 1, developed through extensive testing with the company’s test drivers. The vehicle also features a unique startup sequence, with a high-resistance glass key—equipped with an E-Ink display—changing color upon insertion and initiating a choreographed lighting sequence within the control panel and instrument cluster.
LoveFrom worked in collaboration with Ferrari’s Centro Stile, led by Flavio Manzoni, to refine the concept and ensure that every design solution aligned with Ferrari’s functional targets, architectural constraints, and homologation requirements for a series-produced sports car. The project, first announced in October, will see a full unveiling in May, with the initial preview focusing on 120 individual components—including the dashboard, steering wheel, and key—made from glass and aluminum rather than traditional plastic and polycarbonate.
