2026 Ferrari Luce Review: Maranello’s Bold New Chapter

I knew Ferrari was serious the moment I heard… nothing. No shriek, no bark, no mechanical fury bouncing off the pit wall at Fiorano. Just the faint whirr of electrons and the crunch of Michelin rubber as the 2026 Ferrari Luce lunged toward the first corner like it had been rear-ended by a freight train. My brain expected a V12 aria. Instead, it got warp speed.

This isn’t just another Ferrari — it’s Maranello ripping up its own rulebook, and somehow still building a driver’s car. The Luce is the spearhead of the Ferrari EV strategy, the first full-electric production Ferrari and arguably the most controversial Italian sports car since the F40 went turbo. Starting around $350,000 (check manufacturer website for latest pricing), it’s here to prove that electricity doesn’t have to mean emotional bankruptcy.

After a full day at Fiorano and some less-than-legal-feeling mountain road miles outside Modena, I’m ready to say it: this Ferrari new model 2026 is not a science project. It’s a statement.

Design & First Impressions of the 2026 Ferrari Luce

Photos don’t prepare you for the stance. The Luce sits low and cab-forward, almost like an SF90 that’s been stretched and smoothed in a wind tunnel for a week straight. The nose is razor-thin, the headlights mere slits, and the rear haunches swell over the 22-inch wheels like a sprinter coiled in the blocks.

However, Ferrari didn’t go full spaceship. In contrast to some EVs that scream “look at me, I’m electric,” this still reads as a Ferrari from 100 yards away. The side intakes are sculptural rather than functional, and the rear diffuser is active, constantly adjusting like it’s playing chess with the air.

Notably, the launch color — a deep metallic blue called Blu Elettrico — suits it better than traditional Rosso Corsa. It feels like Ferrari acknowledging the future without apologizing for it. Meanwhile, carbon fiber options are plentiful, and yes, you can spec enough exposed weave to buy a house in Bologna.

Interior & Technology

Open the dihedral door and you’re greeted by what can only be described as Cupertino meets Maranello. If you want the deep dive, we’ve already covered the design philosophy in our Ferrari Luce Review: Apple-Inspired EV Interior, but in person it’s even more dramatic.

Additionally, Ferrari resisted the urge to bury everything in glass. Physical toggles for drive modes and suspension settings remain on the steering wheel, a welcome nod in an era where touchscreens went too far. The central 17-inch OLED display is crisp and fast, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard.

Material quality is absurd. The leather smells like it was massaged by Tuscan monks, and the recycled Alcantara feels thick and intentional, not like a sustainability afterthought. Meanwhile, the digital cluster reconfigures based on drive mode, but crucially, it always keeps speed and power output front and center — no gimmicks.

Space is tight, as expected. Legroom is generous for two, but this is strictly a 2+0 layout. The frunk’s 7.0 cubic feet will hold a weekend bag and maybe a helmet — which, let’s be honest, is the correct priority.

Behind the Wheel: Driving Experience

Here’s where the 2026 Ferrari Luce earns its badge.

Stab the throttle and it doesn’t build power — it detonates. The 818 hp hits like a sledgehammer wrapped in silk. There’s no turbo lag war story here, no waiting for boost; it’s instant, violent, and almost disorienting the first time. Randy Pobst would love the launch control. Chris Harris would probably giggle.

However, what shocked me most wasn’t the acceleration. It was the steering. Ferrari engineered a new brake-by-wire and steer-by-wire system with simulated feedback, and for once, it doesn’t feel like a video game. There’s genuine resistance, subtle texture through the wheel as the front Michelins load up, and a clean, linear response that reminds me — dare I say — of a 911 Turbo S.

In fact, the chassis balance is the real magic trick. Yes, it weighs 4,450 pounds. You feel that mass under heavy braking, but the low battery placement keeps the center of gravity absurdly low. As a result, it rotates eagerly into medium-speed corners, with torque vectoring subtly nudging the nose toward the apex.

Ride quality is surprisingly compliant in the softest damper setting. On scarred Italian backroads, it breathes with the surface instead of crashing over it. Meanwhile, switch to “Corsa E” mode and everything tightens: steering weights up, throttle mapping sharpens, and the regenerative braking dials back to prioritize pedal feel.

Speaking of brakes, the modulation is superb. Ferrari blended regen and carbon-ceramics so well that you’d swear it was hydraulic. Unlike some rivals plagued by EV software recalls and glitchy updates, the Luce’s calibration feels thoroughly baked.

Hot take: I didn’t miss the engine as much as I expected. Yes, the V12 soundtrack is sacred. But the sheer violence and precision of this setup create a new kind of theater — more sci-fi than symphony, but still thrilling.

Fuel Economy & Running Costs

Ferrari claims around 310 miles of range on the European cycle, which likely translates to roughly 280–290 miles in aggressive real-world driving. For official U.S. numbers, keep an eye on FuelEconomy.gov once EPA data is finalized.

Additionally, DC fast charging peaks at 350 kW, meaning a 10–80% top-up can happen in about 20 minutes under ideal conditions. That’s road-trip viable, though you’re not exactly cross-shopping this with a Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Insurance will be eye-watering. However, maintenance could actually be simpler than a V12 Ferrari. Fewer moving parts, no oil changes, and regenerative braking that extends pad life all help. Still, battery replacement costs years down the line remain the big unknown in Ferrari’s EV strategy.

Practicality & Daily Living

Let’s be clear: this isn’t practical in the traditional sense. The frunk is small, rear visibility is limited, and those wide hips make tight Italian alleyways feel like threading a needle.

However, the front cameras and 360-degree system are crystal clear. Additionally, the suspension lift system raises the nose enough to clear most speed bumps without scraping carbon fiber worth more than my first house.

On a highway cruise, it’s eerily serene. Wind noise is minimal, and the absence of engine vibration makes 80 mph feel like 50. Therefore, as a grand tourer, it might actually be more relaxing than an 812 Superfast.

How It Stacks Up: Competitive Comparison

The obvious rival is the Tesla Roadster, which we’ve already compared in depth in our Ferrari Luce vs Tesla: Luxury EV Clash. Tesla will likely win on raw acceleration and price. However, it won’t touch the Ferrari for steering feel or interior craftsmanship.

Meanwhile, the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT remains the dynamic benchmark among electric performance cars. The Porsche feels lighter on its feet and offers a more traditional sports sedan layout. In contrast, the Luce is more exotic, more dramatic, and significantly more powerful.

Then there’s the AMG Electric SUV with over 1,000 hp — a different beast entirely, but proof that Germany isn’t sleeping on electrification. We explored that monster in our AMG Electric SUV: 1,000+ HP 2026 Review. The AMG overwhelms with brute force. The Ferrari feels engineered.

The 2026 Ferrari Luce doesn’t replace the V12. It doesn’t try to. Instead, it rewrites what an Italian sports car can be in an electric era — fast, yes, but also tactile and alive.

I walked away from Fiorano grinning like I’d just set a personal best at Laguna Seca. If this is the future of Ferrari’s EV strategy, then Maranello hasn’t lost its soul. It just plugged it in.

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