Ferrari’s electric Luce sets auction record at $40 million

Ferrari’s first all-electric car, the Luce, has sold for $40 million at an RM Sotheby’s charity auction in Monterey, California, becoming the most expensive new car ever sold at auction. The winning bid surpassed last year’s record of $26 million set by a customised Ferrari Daytona SP3. The Times of India reports that the auction house waived its buyer’s premium so the entire amount goes to The Ferrari Foundation for educational initiatives.

The car, identified as “Chassis 0”, is the first production chassis from the Luce programme and was built through Ferrari’s Tailor Made programme. The buyer will not take delivery until the first quarter of 2027, Hindustan Times adds. The Luce was unveiled in May with a starting price of €550,000 ($636,356) and faced criticism from traditionalists.

Designed with Jony Ive’s studio LoveFrom, the Luce produces over 1,000 horsepower from four electric motors and a 122 kWh battery. It accelerates to 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds and has a claimed top speed of 310 km/h. Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna said the Luce has attracted orders from both old and new customers.