{"id":2067697,"date":"2026-07-29T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2067697"},"modified":"2026-07-29T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T21:00:00","slug":"ferrari-luce-prototype-review-the-internet-isnt-ready-to-hear-this-but","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2067697","title":{"rendered":"Ferrari Luce prototype review: the internet isn\u2019t ready to hear this, but\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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You\u2019ve driven the Luce?<\/h3>\n

Yes. And exceptionally good it is, too. But first, some context. TG.com<\/em> is at the Stellantis test track near Balocco, a sprawling facility that sits just off the A4 autostrada midway between Milan and Turin. Ferrari gets to use it, too. There are 26 different configurations here, across 50 miles, with really fast sections, horribly surfaced bits, and some that do a great approximation of a quintessential British B-road. Lumpy and bumpy, but often highly entertaining at the same time.<\/p>\n

A good place to get a handle on the year\u2019s most controversial new car.<\/h3>\n

Is it? We hadn\u2019t noticed\u2026 Before we go any further, we can\u2019t ignore the fact that the Luce\u2019s arrival was less than rapturously received<\/a>. To put it mildly. There are plenty of people who find the very idea of an electric Ferrari wholly unpalatable. Then the company doubled down in spectacular fashion by hiring an agency co-founded by former Apple creative visionary Sir Jonathan Ive to design the thing. Cue a car that resembles no Ferrari ever. Having covered the interior reveal in February<\/a> and May\u2019s launch in Rome, when even the Pope got involved, we had a ring side seat on the madness.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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And?<\/h3>\n

Well, Ferrari can take heart from the fact that the entire world seems to be invested in its destiny. People really<\/em> care. But it also raised the question of what a Ferrari should be \u2013 and indeed what it\u2019s for. The company saw zero point in replicating what it does elsewhere in its range and electrifying that \u2013 from a brand or engineering perspective. The Luce is an opportunity to do something different, and boy does it have a singular point of view.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, it appears to be one that\u2019s not shared by many others, at least not among those whose existence is predicated on starting fights on social media. Yep, like the Jaguar Type 00<\/a>, the Luce has found itself as a lightning rod for the \u2018culture wars\u2019, a focal point for algorithm-driven global BS. Look, Ferrari didn\u2019t get where it is today without challenging the status quo. And, as we keep saying, it\u2019s not as if it\u2019s abandoning combustion cars. Six-, eight- and 12-cylinder Ferraris are also still available.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Uh oh. Brace for impact\u2026<\/h3>\n

The Luce is meant to be Ferrari going off-piste, a feeling that\u2019s amplified by the driving experience. This is a Ferrari, just not the sort we\u2019re used to. \u201cIn the past 100 years, technology has changed for sure,\u201d Raffaele de Simone, Ferrari\u2019s chief test driver, tells us. \u201cBut what hasn\u2019t changed is our bodies \u2013 we have two hands, two eyes and ears, and two feet. The interface is the same \u2013 steering, brakes and throttle \u2013 but the Luce has a different sort of driving emotion, and a different way of announcing driving thrills.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople often talk about all the new possibilities that software and electrification bring. That\u2019s true, of course. But for me the most important thing is that none of these possibilities ever feel artificial. I don\u2019t want behaviour that feels disconnected from the driver\u2019s inputs. There has to be a very direct relationship with what the driver asks and what the car does.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Raffaele<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Also, it really does look more fascinating in the flesh than in images. The floating front wing is very cool.<\/p>\n

Come on, then. What\u2019s it like to drive?<\/h3>\n

Intriguing. There are probably about 10 different cars within one here, but they all do their thing seamlessly. TG<\/em> is in a pre-production car, still camo\u2019d at the time of driving to deter the inquisitive.<\/p>\n

There are some things you notice immediately. The Luce has \u2018cab-forward\u2019 proportions so you sit closer to the front axle, and obviously up higher than usual because there\u2019s an enormous battery pack beneath you. The three-spoke wheel\u2019s design is inspired by a classic Ferrari\u2019s and feels great in the hands. As does the rest of an interior that\u2019s pure Jony Ive.<\/p>\n

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You really would have to be an irredeemably miserable git to have any issues with the fit, finish and materials<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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Some have grumbled that the layout is overly simplistic, but one person\u2019s simplicity is another\u2019s clarity. And you really would have to be an irredeemably miserable git to have any issues with the fit, finish and materials used. To be clear, there\u2019s fuzzy felt covering and plastic in this particular car, but it\u2019s a hard-working prototype and things are still under wraps. We\u2019ve also been in a fully finished car<\/a>, and can confirm that it\u2019s beautiful and brilliant.<\/p>\n

Remind us of the car\u2019s key technical points.<\/h3>\n

The structure is all new. The chassis consists of hollow castings, extrusions and aluminium sheets, to reduce weight and optimise load paths. The 800v battery architecture is integrated into the chassis, positioned as low in the Luce\u2019s floorpan as the engineers could achieve. So it has a centre of gravity that\u2019s 95mm lower than the Purosangue<\/a>\u2019s, and a yaw moment of inertia 15 per cent less than its SUV brother.<\/p>\n

So it\u2019s agile despite its size.<\/h3>\n

The Luce delivers unprecedented control of each wheel in all three axes \u2013 lateral, longitudinal and vertical \u2013 with particular emphasis on the lateral body dynamic. A new \u2018vehicle control unit\u2019 (VCU) oversees everything, and updates targets 200 times per second. The Luce has a 122kWh battery and four e-motors, two on each axle, and optimum weight distribution. The front motors deliver 282bhp, the rears 831bhp, so the total output is north of 1,000bhp. And there\u2019s mammoth torque, of course, an almost meaningless amount \u2013 5,900lb ft at the rear wheels.<\/p>\n

Anything else?<\/h3>\n

The front motors can spin at up to 30,000rpm, and can go from nothing to full tilt in less than a second. The chassis and body consists of 75 per cent recycled aluminium, which dramatically reduces CO2 emissions. There\u2019s also a separate rear subframe for the first time on a Ferrari; it\u2019s connected to the rest of the chassis by elastomeric bushes \u2013 polymers with a high viscosity \u2013 which helps reduce noise and vibration.<\/p>\n

And behind the wheel?<\/h3>\n

A new \u2018e-manettino\u2019 on the lower left side of the wheel joins the existing one on the right. There are three settings that govern the amount of power and traction available but also the torque curve\u2019s shape. Remember, there are four independent motors, each of which is expertly managed. Select \u2018Tour\u2019 mode and the driver has 608bhp to enjoy and full all-wheel drive capability. In the \u2018Performance\u2019 setting that rises to 958bhp, and the 190mph top speed is available. This is a complicated car, and its bandwidth is enormous, but the key precept is that it\u2019s always accessible.<\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

But isn\u2019t a Ferrari meant to immediately overwhelm you with sensation?<\/h3>\n

It depends which ones you\u2019re talking about. Ferraris have become increasingly civilised everyday cars over the years, and it\u2019s clear from the off that the Luce isn\u2019t interested in pinning your body into the seat the nanosecond you hit the accelerator (more of a torque demand switch, to be pedantic). The Luce moves away effortlessly, telegraphing its massive potential with an impressively light touch.<\/p>\n

Interesting way of putting it. Continue\u2026<\/h3>\n

By being able to vector torque on both axles, as well as using the rear-wheel steering, the Luce\u2019s cornering behaviour has terrific adjustability: the front end is positive without being darty, there\u2019s lovely mid-corner balance, and unreal traction on the exit. This is hardware and software in perfect harmony. Go to Performance mode and switch the other manettino to \u2018CT off\u2019, and the Luce gets more extrovert. It\u2019ll slide almost as intuitively as a 296<\/a> or 849 TR<\/a>, with the same sublimely calibrated sort of response.<\/p>\n

The company\u2019s engineers love a graph and can empirically prove that the 2,260kg Luce feels precisely 400kg lighter. Non-empirically, it feels like it, although at 5m long and 2m wide (without mirrors), it\u2019s a big machine to hustle. Still, it inspires huge confidence.<\/p>\n

Fast electric cars are all well and good. But is this one you\u2019d want to drive for the hell of it?<\/h3>\n

That\u2019s where the Luce\u2019s Torque Shift Engagement comes in. Pull the right paddle on the steering column and five power levels are available; the left one delivers five grades of regen braking<\/a>. The main dial in that gorgeous instrument display shows you what\u2019s going on.<\/p>\n

This is Ferrari\u2019s answer to one of the conundrums presented by an EV: rather than a relentless wall of energy, the Luce plays with the torque curve so that you feel like you\u2019re fully in command during cornering entry and exit.\u00a0
Basically, it\u2019s designed to conjure the sensation you feel driving a car with a conventional transmission and engine braking. And it does. There\u2019s also a fabulously natural amount of brake feel.<\/p>\n

Is it complicated to use?<\/h3>\n

Not at all, although it\u2019s a little tricky seeing what\u2019s happening on the display as you increase the pace on the road, even if does illuminate in increments. The amount of energy corresponds with the available grip and the nature of the corner itself. It really works and it\u2019s clear that some very clever people have thought long and hard about giving this electric Ferrari some extra layers. But the jury\u2019s out on how often you\u2019d actually use it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Does it ride well?<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s exemplary, even on 23 (front) and 24in (rear) wheels, and on the roughest surfaces. The Luce is fitted with the third generation of Ferrari\u2019s active suspension, and controls its mass very elegantly. This 48-volt system helps keep the tyre contact patch consistent, while the motors manage the balance of the car on and off throttle. \u201cIt\u2019s not really about creating more grip,\u201d de Simone explains. \u201cIt\u2019s about making the available grip easier and more intuitive to use.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then he encourages me to seek out the sections of track designed to rattle your fillings or dislodge bits of interior trim. The Luce just soaks up whatever you throw at it, communicates its impressive structural integrity through every touch-point, and feels plush without any hint of float.<\/p>\n

How does it sound?<\/h3>\n

In \u2018Performance\u2019 mode, the Luce finds its voice. The note is fuller than a six-cylinder, not quite as rumbly as a V8. This is achieved by using an accelerometer and by equalising naturally occurring frequencies on the rear inverter. OK, so it doesn\u2019t sound as sonorous as any combustion Ferrari, but it\u2019s authentic rather than a fake sci-fi confection. And it responds to the throttle pedal perfectly. Hyundai and Porsche have both moved the game on here, of course, but the Luce is another few steps further on.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the verdict?<\/h3>\n

In a car as finely considered as this, we need to drive the finished thing to experience the full effect. Because we can\u2019t help thinking that a smartly-specced Luce \u2013 and it is somewhat spec-sensitive \u2013 is going to look impressive indeed swishing through Shanghai or San Francisco. There are definite Blade Runner 2049<\/em> vibes.<\/p>\n

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In all the key parameters, this is an incredible piece of engineering, a car with phenomenal dynamic properties<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

It\u2019s also difficult to separate the often ill-considered noise that has engulfed the Luce from the machine itself. But in all the key parameters, this is an incredible piece of engineering, a car with phenomenal dynamic properties, an intensely clever neural network, and a transformative interior. It also has real character, and not just a simulacrum of a combustion Ferrari\u2019s. We\u2019re keen to revisit.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You\u2019ve driven the Luce? Yes. And exceptionally good it is, too. But first, some context. TG.com is at the Stellantis test track near Balocco, a sprawling facility that sits just off the A4 autostrada midway between Milan and Turin. Ferrari gets to use it, too. There are 26 different configurations here, across 50 miles, with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,237],"class_list":["post-2067697","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-topgear-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2067697","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2067697"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2067697\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2067697"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2067697"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2067697"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}