A Design That Divided Opinions
Ferrari’s first all-electric model, the Luce, is now out, but instead of celebrating the milestone, much of the conversation has centered on its design. As criticism continues over the EV’s styling – created by chief designer Flavio Manzoni with input from former Apple designer Jony Ive and Marc Newson – YouTuber TheSketchMonkey said he “couldn’t help” himself and reimagined the Luce with his own spin on the current design.
While TheSketchMonkey praised the Luce’s five-spoke wheels, he questioned its overall proportions, particularly the bubble-like shape that some have compared to other modern EVs. He felt the Luce lacked “automotive passion” and described it more as a work of “product design,” suggesting styling influences from devices like the iPhone.
Adding More Ferrari To Ferrari
In the redesign, the Luce’s proportions were stretched out, and the body was lowered, giving it a sportier stance more fitting of the Prancing Horse badge. While the original design carries some daily-driver EV cues, the redesigned version looks more exotic, with a sleek GT presence similar to that of the Polestar 5.
He also enhanced the character lines, creating a stronger visual connection between the front and rear sections. In contrast, he argued that the original design’s shoulder line functioned more like a “shelf” than a cohesive styling element, lacking a meaningful relationship with the rest of the bodywork.
Other changes included a revised rear greenhouse for a sharper, less static appearance, as well as the removal of the unusually positioned windshield wipers.
In the end, TheSketchMonkey remained unconvinced about the internal discussions surrounding the Luce, even suggesting that Ferrari’s team may have been “nervous” about the launch. He also pointed to reports of the Italian marque’s stock price declining after the world saw the EV.
A Deliberate Break From Tradition
Amid the backlash, Manzoni defended the Luce, telling Cleo Abram in a recent interview that “there is no design without innovation.” He said Ferrari deliberately avoided drawing too heavily from its existing combustion-powered models, explaining, “We don’t like the déjà vu effect.”
With that being said, it is understandable why enthusiasts found the Luce unfamiliar. Regardless, Ferrari sees a future in the new model, especially now that nearly every major automaker has entered the EV market, although brands like Lamborghini and McLaren remain more cautious about launching one.
For those who fancy the Luce, Ferrari’s first EV is expected to arrive in the U.S. in 2027. In Europe, it carries a reported starting price of €550,000, or roughly $640,000 at current exchange rates.
