First the iMac, iPhone and iPod, now the electric Ferrari Luce to match. That’s the trajectory of storied former Apple design supremo Sir Jony Ive. A man who once had an Apple Car in his sights. Instead, Ferrari have engaged his design company LoveFrom to create what may be the most important car in their history. These are the first images Ferrari have released, of a very radical interior that’s pure Jony Ive. Even the photographs are tactile.
Ferrari describe the Luce as way more than an electric sports car. Instead it’s "a symbol of clarity and inspiration, expressing Ferrari’s approach to innovation: uncompromising vision, transparent design, silent energy that is felt in every fibre, and form shaped by function”. They might as well have been describing the first iPhone. Sir Jony has put it more succinctly: “to make something simple and intuitive is really difficult”. Every last millimetre of this interior speaks of that philosophy.
The steering wheel is said to be inspired by classic designs by Nardi, including that of Sir Jony’s own 1950s Ferrari. Two panels (inevitably they’ve been called pods) beneath each horizontal spoke feature physical buttons to control everything from electric power output to settings for the rumoured 1,000 bhp powertrain. Torque is controlled by two paddles. If you’re watching Formula One this season, you might well need to channel your inner Lewis Hamilton, such is the implied complexity.
The nerve centre
That instrument panel might look analogue. In fact it’s made up of layers of high-end OLED screens developed by Samsung, albeit featuring an actual speedometer needle in anodised aluminium. Two further dials can be customised. Want to know what G-forces your Luce - Italian for “light source” - is pulling? There’s a setting for that. Glass is by Corning, who also supply the glass for iPhones.
The cabin is built around a free-standing 10.2-inch screen that pivots on a ball and socket joint, complete with grab handle to move it around, which doubles as a palm rest when you’re operating it. There are physical (none of your fumble-for-it haptic controls here) toggle switches for climate and seat adjustment among others, while digital displays feature clock, chronograph, launch control and compass. If it sounds unlikely now, remember that’s what they said about the iPhone.
As for the rest: Ferrari Luce will be a four seater, four door sports car. Detailing of centre console, where your key changes from yellow to black when on a magnetised dock waking up the whole car, suggests Sir Jony’s exterior design will be something to behold.
Ferrari are to reveal more about their electric debutante in May. The Luce is expected to be placed above Maranello's V12-engined SUV, the Purosangue, in the Ferrari hierarchy. Like Sir Jony’s Apple products, the Luce is designed to attract design-conscious customers who are prepared to pay a premium. Not cheap even by Ferrari standards: expect pricing upwards of £375,000. We’re sticking with our vintage iPod.
