Ferrari’s first EV signals new era from Naples showroom

Carter Kozminski grew up at his family’s Ford dealership in central Canada and embraced the automotive industry at a young age. He interned at a family friend’s exotic used-car business and, for the past three years, has worked as a sales executive at Ferrari of Naples.

The Italian brand’s only Southwest Florida dealership — one of seven in the state — is part of Ferrari’s second dramatic swerve from tradition.

Kozminski, 27, visited Italy twice earlier this year, including in late May for the unveiling of the Ferrari Luce. For a company built on decades of racing heritage, engineering prestige and the lore of founder Enzo Ferrari, few developments have generated more intrigue than its first electric vehicle.

“It’s a big shift for Ferrari,” Kozminski says. “But one of the things I think is important to note is that its founder was always pushing forward and innovating and never getting caught up in things because they’re tradition.

“The flip side is that Ferrari does a lot of things that are tradition. But Enzo (Ferrari) was also big on, ‘We have to innovate. Otherwise, what do we have?’”

Ferrari, whose founder died in 1988, first veered from its nearly 80-year sports-car heritage in late 2022 with its first sport utility vehicle, the Purosangue — Italian for “pureblood.” It also became the carmaker’s first production four-door vehicle.

While some brand purists were aghast at the roughly $500,000 vehicle, buyers embraced it. Ferrari’s allocation — about 20% of its lineup — sold out through the 2025 model year. Its 2026 allocation likely has, as well.

The Luce — Italian for “light” — arrived after months of intense speculation. It was announced last October and, like the Purosangue, prompted immediate pushback. The vehicle retains classic Ferrari styling, combining hatchback functionality with an exotic sports-car aesthetic while also offering the versatility of a sedan.

But part of Ferrari’s lore is gone. Its natural engine note — a symphonic growl beloved by enthusiasts — is a trait unique to internal combustion engines. Electric vehicles do not produce the same sound unless manufacturers artificially generate it. For some purists, that loss has been difficult to accept.

“Ferrari recognizes that it’s part of the soul of its cars,” Kozminski says. “One of the things it has said is that ‘an authentic sound is part of the soul of our brand.’”

While the Luce’s exterior and design nuances remained private until its release, the vehicle’s interior design and features quickly gained both supporters and detractors online. As with its powertrain and batteries, Ferrari moved away from its longtime relationship with Pininfarina in favor of in-house efforts. Sir Jonathan Ive, the former chief design officer at Apple, and Australian industrial designer Marc Newson collaborated on the project.

Featured is a textured 12.5-inch OLED instrument cluster that blends retro and futuristic elements through analog-style dials. A 10-inch center touchscreen is mounted on a free-standing bracket. Polished steel, glass and sustainably sourced leather dominate the interior design.

Physical engine keys are increasingly rare throughout the automotive industry. In the Luce, the key is housed within the glass-encased center console. When inserted, the slot illuminates and the electric drivetrain engages.

The Luce has a 116.5-inch wheelbase, slightly shorter than the Purosangue. For the first time, Ferrari incorporated sustainability into a vehicle’s structure, with aluminum accounting for 75% of the chassis construction. The vehicle’s power comes from four permanent-magnet electric motors arranged in a quad-motor, all-wheel-drive layout. Its top speed is 193 mph, an impressive figure considering the Luce weighs 5,071 pounds.

“It’s a leap; a big, big, big leap,” Kozminski says of Ferrari’s new approach. “Be open-minded. When I walked into Maranello, the Ferrari factory in Italy, I was a little close-minded, too. But if people are willing to be open-minded and realize that this is a different Ferrari and it’s for different people … 

“I think the brand realizes it’s probably not for everybody. But they want to have a Ferrari for everybody, if that makes sense. It’s for someone who hasn’t found something that caught their eye. For Ferrari collectors who care about its lineage, it’s also cool to have the first.” 

Facts& figures

Acceleration: 0 to 62 mph in 2.5 seconds  

Electric range: 328 miles (estimated)

Airbags: 7

Horsepower: 1,036

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $523,000 base model (estimated)

Manufacturer’s website: ferrari.com

Warranty:  Bumper-to-bumper: 3 years/unlimited miles

Powertrain: 3 years/unlimited miles

Maintenance: 7 years/unlimited miles

Corrosion: 3 years/unlimited miles

Roadside assistance: 1 year/unlimited miles

Test drive

Ferrari of Naples

11291 Tamiami Trail N., Naples

ferrariofnaples.com