Ferrari has made automotive history with the sale of its first-ever fully electric production car. The Ferrari Luce Chassis 0 fetched an extraordinary $40 million (around ₹383 crore) at an RM Sotheby’s charity auction in California, making it the most expensive new vehicle ever sold at auction.
The record-breaking sale took place during Monterey Car Week and dramatically exceeded expectations for the one-off model. Beyond its price tag, the sale marks a major moment for Ferrari as the legendary Italian manufacturer enters the electric vehicle era.
Credits: Latestly
Who Bought Ferrari Luce for $40 Million?
The winning bid came from Dr Herbert Wertheim, a US billionaire, inventor and longtime Ferrari collector. By purchasing the unique Luce Chassis 0, Wertheim added another exceptionally rare Ferrari to his renowned collection.
The auction had a philanthropic purpose. Ferrari said the entire proceeds from the sale will go toward the Ferrari Foundation’s educational and philanthropic initiatives, turning the record-breaking purchase into a major fundraising event.
Unlike an ordinary production model, Chassis 0 is a unique version created specifically for the milestone. Ferrari will temporarily retain the vehicle at its Maranello headquarters before eventually delivering it to Wertheim.
Ferrari Luce Marks a New Electric Era
The Luce represents one of the biggest technological departures in Ferrari’s history. It is the company’s first fully electric production vehicle and has been developed around a dedicated four-motor electric architecture.
Ferrari collaborated with LoveFrom, the creative collective founded by renowned designer Sir Jony Ive, to shape the car’s distinctive design. The result is a luxury liftback intended to combine long-distance grand touring comfort with the performance expected from a Ferrari.
The car uses four independent permanent-magnet electric motors, with one motor powering each wheel. Together, they produce approximately 1,035 horsepower, or 1,050 PS.
Ferrari has given the car a heavily rear-biased power distribution. The front axle produces around 282 horsepower, while the rear motors deliver approximately 831 horsepower.
Ferrari Luce Performance and Battery
Underneath the Luce is a structural 122-kWh battery pack operating on an 800-volt electrical architecture. The system supports DC fast charging at speeds of up to 350 kW.
Despite its substantial battery, Ferrari has focused heavily on performance. The Luce has a claimed WLTP range of approximately 329 miles (529 km).
Its acceleration figures put it firmly into supercar territory. The electric Ferrari can reportedly accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) in around 2.5 seconds, while its top speed reaches approximately 193 mph (310 km/h).
Ferrari has also equipped the car with active suspension, four-wheel steering and advanced torque-vectoring technology designed to maintain the company’s performance-focused character despite the switch to electric power.
Ferrari Luce Interior Takes a Different Approach
Inside, the Luce represents another significant departure for Ferrari. It is the company’s first model configured as a five-seater, giving the car a stronger focus on everyday usability and long-distance travel.
The cabin combines digital technology with physical controls. OLED displays are integrated into the dashboard, while traditional switches and knobs remain available for important functions.
One of the most distinctive elements is the floating centre console, which can pivot toward either the driver or front passenger.
Ferrari has also avoided relying heavily on touch-capacitive controls on the steering wheel. Instead, the steering wheel uses physical switchgear and includes dual manettino dials for controlling driving modes and powertrain behaviour.
Paddles mounted behind the steering wheel allow the driver to adjust regenerative braking and torque delivery while driving.
Ferrari Luce Price: $638,400 vs $40 Million
The enormous auction price highlights the difference between a regular Luce and the one-off Chassis 0.
The standard-production Ferrari Luce is expected to cost around €550,000, equivalent to roughly $638,400 or ₹8.5 crore based on the figures provided.
Chassis 0, however, sold for an astonishing $40 million (approximately ₹383 crore).
That means the unique charity-auction car commanded a price many times higher than the expected production model. The premium reflects its historical significance, exclusivity and status as the first Ferrari electric production car.
Credits: Caproasia
Ferrari’s Electric Future Begins With a Record
The Luce is more than another expensive Ferrari. It represents the company’s attempt to prove that electrification does not necessarily mean abandoning the performance and emotional appeal associated with its cars.
With more than 1,000 horsepower, a four-motor setup and a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 2.5 seconds, Ferrari has clearly positioned the Luce as a performance machine rather than simply an environmentally friendly luxury car.
And with Chassis 0 selling for $40 million, Ferrari’s electric era has begun with a record that is almost as extraordinary as the car itself.
