Ferrari's first electric vehicle - the Ferrari Luce "Chassis 0" - has just sold for tens of millions of dollars, a figure that seemed at odds with the negative public reception of the model.
Ferrari's first electric vehicle - the Ferrari Luce "Chassis 0" - has just sold for tens of millions of dollars, a figure that seemed at odds with the negative public reception of the model.
August 19, 2026
"We're risking the destruction of a legend […] I hope they at least remove the prancing horse” - that was the comment made by former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo regarding the Ferrari Luce. When even someone deeply connected to the brand voiced such criticism, it was evident how poorly the model was received at the time of its launch. Yet, on August 17, the Ferrari Luce “Chassis 0” - a special edition of this controversial model - sold for $40 million at an RM Sotheby’s charity auction at Monterey Car Week. This figure demonstrated that sometimes, criticism does not dictate a vehicle’s commercial value.
Despite being created by two renowned figures who worked at Apple - Jony Ive and Marc Newson - the design of the Ferrari Luce has been criticized by the public as boring and lacking the signature Ferrari look. However, upon reaching the auction, this “Chassis 0” edition was distinguished by a number of interesting and noteworthy details. Those include the exterior defined by the exclusive light-inspired Madreperla Semi-Gloss livery. According to RM Sotheby’s, the unique feature of this finish lied in its formulation, which integrated a Ferrari Tailor Made pigment capable of creating reflections that shift from green to violet, depending on the intensity and angle of the light.
The interplay of light was further explored in the interior of the Ferrari Luce “Chassis 0” through Le Mans metallic leather in Perla. Thanks to this leather’s softness and light-reflecting properties, light could travel throughout the cabin, thereby enhancing the sense of space and refinement. Besides, the secondary interior elements stand out in Grigio Corvara tone, reinforcing the deep connection to the vehicle’s light-inspired theme.
These distinctive features may have explained why the car captivated collectors and fetched a price 40 times higher than the pre-auction estimate. This figure also made the Ferrari Luce “Chassis 0” one of the most expensive cars ever sold at auction. As a part of Ferrari’s first electric vehicle project - which initially met with a negative reception - this model and the record-breaking figures it delivered may give the marque renewed hope regarding its new direction. Furthermore, all proceeds from the sale of the “Chassis 0” will serve more humanitarian purposes, as they will be dedicated to educational initiatives through The Ferrari Foundation.
The auction results for the Ferrari Luce “Chassis 0” demonstrated that negative criticism should not be grounds for pessimism regarding a vehicle's commercial potential. The automotive industry provides a diverse range of models, and public tastes are equally varied. After all, there may well be someone willing to spend millions of dollars to own a car from Ferrari.
