Ferrari’s highly anticipated and highly controversial first-ever fully electric vehicle, the Luce, received a major spiritual boost when Pope Leo XIV hosted an exclusive viewing of the car at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, just south of Rome.
The private showcase featured Ferrari President John Elkann and factory test driver Raffaele De Simone walking His Holiness through the mechanics of the radical new model. While the Pope blessed the vehicle, the broader public and Wall Street are offering a much colder reception.
A Look Inside the Papal Viewing
During the inspection, the Pope personally examined the vehicle’s unique design and minimalistic interior. He even took a seat in the cockpit, where test driver Raffaele De Simone knelt alongside the vehicle to explain the newly configured steering controls.
A notable exchange highlighted the car’s unprecedented footprint for the Italian marque:
Pope Leo XIV: “Is this the first four-door Ferrari?”
John Elkann: “The first five-seater.”
The Specs: An Engineering Beast
While the design is facing intense scrutiny, the engineering under the hood retains the raw, face-melting performance expected of the Prancing Horse.
| Specification | Details |
| Powertrain | Quad-motor configuration (one independent permanent-magnet motor per wheel) |
| Total Power Output | 1,035 Horsepower (831 hp to the rear axle, 282 hp to the front) |
| Acceleration & Speed | 0–100 km/h in 2.5 seconds; top speed of 310 km/h |
| Battery & Charging | 122 kWh gross capacity; structural 880V architecture supporting 350 kW fast charging |
| Estimated Range | Over 530 kilometers (WLTP cycle) |
| Aerodynamics | Drag coefficient of 0.254 Cd achieved without active aero parts |
Why the Luce is Sparking Worldwide Backlash
Despite the Pope’s blessings and the impressive mechanical numbers, Ferrari’s stock plummeted by roughly 8% in Milan trading immediately following the debut. Purists, auto critics, and internet commenters have widely panned the car for its unorthodox styling.
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The “Hatchback” Problem: Because 85% of the massive 122 kWh battery modules are integrated into the floor, the car naturally stands much higher ($1,544\text{ mm}$) than traditional low-slung Ferrari supercars. Critics argue it looks more like a mainstream, tall liftback sedan or hatchback than a Ferrari.
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The “Apple” Effect: Designed in collaboration with LoveFrom—the creative collective founded by former Apple design chief Sir Jony Ive and industrial designer Marc Newson—the clean, flush surfaces and minimalist interior have been heavily mocked. Many online users complained that the car lacks the fierce, aggressive aesthetic of historic Ferraris, comparing it to a “bland tech gadget” or an “expensive Hyundai.”
