Ferrari has unveiled the interior of its all-electric Luce, designed by Jony Ive and Marc Newson. The retro-futuristic cockpit combines classic influences from Ferrari's past with modern metal and glass elements. Inspired by the classic three-spoke wooden Nardi wheel, the tiller is made of anodised aluminum wrapped in leather.
The two control pods flanking the hub have physical buttons and toggles for volume, track skip, etc. on the back. A large column-mounted paddle shifter sits directly behind it, used to change the Luce's Torque Shift Engagement system.
The gauge cluster features a best use of screens for critical driving information, with Samsung OLED screens giving it super-rich contrast and flexibility. The aluminum speedometer needle is attached to a ring gear surrounding the central dial, lit up by 15 LEDs and a complex reflector prism system. The interior design aims to answer two big questions: can you design an electric car that feels like it has a soul?
And can two industry outsiders who don’t know what they don’t know be the ones to do it? Ferrari's use of glass and metal in all those places where plastic would normally be found only added about 22 pounds of weight to the car, so it’s still in keeping with the Luce name. The design work done inside an automaker is iterative and evolutionary by nature; even revolutionary new models are drawing from an established body of work in structured ways.
While the Ferrari Luce's interior is a masterclass in design, it's also a risk that may not pay off for the brand. The use of modern materials and innovative technologies may alienate some fans of traditional Ferrari designs. However, the attention to detail and commitment to quality are evident throughout the cabin.
