Pontiff was introduced to the model in Italy; brand shares fell 8.4% in Milan after the launch of an electric car
Pope Leo the 14th met, on Tuesday (May 26, 2026), Luce, the first 100% electric model from Ferrari. The meeting, held at the summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, Italy, marked the brand’s traditional “blessing” of its new projects. The 5-seater luxury vehicle is valued at US$640,000 (approximately R$3.2 million).
The presentation was led by the brand’s president, John Elkann, and CEO, Benedetto Vigna. During the visit, the pontiff sat in the driver’s seat and received a symbolic steering wheel as an official tribute from the manufacturer. When asked by the Pope whether this would be the automaker’s first 4-door model, Elkann clarified that the Luce is, in fact, the “1st of 5 places” of the history of Ferrari.
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According to the despite the symbolism of the meeting, the financial market reacted cautiously to the brand’s new chapter. Ferrari shares plummeted 8.37% on the Milan Stock Exchange on Tuesday (May 26), closing at 284.05 euros. Analysts point out that the drop reflects skepticism on the part of investors with the transition to electric propulsion, which replaces the traditional sound of V8 and V12 engines.
FERRARI PERFORMANCE
The Luce model uses an exclusive platform with 800 volt architecture and a 122 kWh battery produced in Maranello. The mechanical set is made up of 4 independent electric motors, one on each wheel, which deliver a combined power of 1,050 hp. The vehicle reaches a maximum speed of 310 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds, with an estimated range of 530 kilometers.
To manage power, Ferrari introduced the system “e-Manettino”an electronic selector inspired by Formula 1 that changes aerodynamic and energy regeneration parameters. The car also features active suspension derived from the F80 hypercar and an electronic management system that updates control targets 200 times per second, ensuring stability in the lateral, longitudinal and vertical axes.
DESIGN AND SUSTAINABILITY
The Ferrari Luce cabin presents an aesthetic break with the use of OLED screens from Samsung Display and a technology key “E Ink”. The interior design was developed in partnership with the LoveFrom collective, led by Jony Ive (former head of design at Apple), focusing on a simplified, driver-centric interface.
In addition to the absence of emissions during use, Ferrari claims to have reduced CO2 emissions by 70% in the production phase, thanks to the use of secondary aluminum alloys. According to CEO Benedetto Vigna, the Luce manages to combine the brand’s traditional driving pleasure with the comfort and sustainability required by the current market.
