Respect From an Unlikely Rival
Tesla and Ferrari seem worlds apart, given their vastly different histories and target markets. But Ferrari recently made a connection after praising the Tesla Roadster, which was unveiled on October 15; more specifically, the EV brand’s bold approach to innovation.
According to Reuters, Ferrari said the redesigned Roadster – which looked nothing like the original concept unveiled almost a decade ago – showed that the auto industry still had room for daring innovation, even in a mature market. It was so daring that the launch included the Roadster soaring over other Tesla EVs using SpaceX-derived cold-gas thrusters. But perhaps more interestingly, the Italian marque made a bold move of its own with the Luce, the brand’s first all-electric vehicle, which didn’t make a good first impression, at least in the design department.
A Bold Move Recognizes Another
Critics point out that the Luce’s design doesn’t look Ferrari-like because of its unconventional proportions and lack of traditional sporty appeal. Some even draw comparisons between the Luce and the Nissan Leaf, a mass-market electric crossover offered as one of the most affordable EVs in the U.S.
But despite the controversial styling, Ferrari said orders for its EV, a vehicle type the automaker had long been reluctant to embrace, are meeting expectations. Company CEO Benedetto Vigna even doubled down on the decision to partner with a third-party design studio, LoveFrom, saying, “If we had worked on our own, we wouldn’t have done what we did. In other words, we tackled a whole series of questions and came up with some answers prompted by people who were observing us from the outside.”
In addition, Vigna thanked Tesla for the new Roadster and rated its technology and presentation 10 out of 10 each. The unveiling even arguably overshadowed the Porsche Mission S, which debuted on the same day Tesla demonstrated the Roadster driving upside down using an underbody fan suction system primarily designed to generate downforce.
Ferrari
Is Ferrari Making a Point?
Looking beyond the compliments, Ferrari might’ve been indirectly defending its own bold and controversial approach with the Luce, while also validating its technological ambitions. The automaker is unlikely to strap cold-gas thrusters or anything similar to its cars; after all, it still offers a signature naturally aspirated V12 in the 12Cilindri.
But like several competitors, Ferrari has also walked back its EV ambitions amid slower demand for electric cars. Instead of having EVs account for 40% of its lineup by 2030, the target has been reduced to 20%, while combustion-powered and hybrid models are each expected to account for 40%.
