Ferrari is famous for making some of the most expensive and fastest cars in the world. Stepping into the world of electric vehicles, the company has introduced its first fully electric car, Ferrari Luce. Soon after its launch, this car made a record which attracted the attention of the entire automotive industry. A special 'one-off' (only one made) model of Luce was sold at auction for 40 million dollars (about ₹ 382 crores). This is the highest price ever received for a new car at auction.
The Ferrari Luce model up for auction was no ordinary production car; It was codenamed 'Chassis 0' and was meticulously prepared by Ferrari's 'Taylor Made' division. This auction was organized by RM Sotheby's during Monterey Car Week in California, USA. This car was built by Herbert A. It was purchased by Wertheim, an American billionaire and longtime collector of Ferrari cars.
**Sold at 40 times higher price than estimate**
Before the auction, the car was expected to sell for around $1.1 million (about ₹9 crore). However, bidding escalated rapidly and ultimately settled at $40 million – meaning the final price was almost 40 times higher than the initial estimate.
The Ferrari Luce also broke the previous record for a new car sold at auction. Previously, a 'one-off' model of the Ferrari Daytona SP3 sold for around $26 million.
Luce set a new record by achieving a very high price. However, it is not the most expensive car ever sold; That record is held by the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, which sold for approximately 135 million euros in 2022.
**Ferrari's first fully electric car**
The Ferrari Luce is the first fully electric car in the company's history. This is a big change for Ferrari, a brand that has long been known for its petrol engines and particularly high-performance sports cars. With the Lucus, Ferrari aims to carve out a niche for itself in the rapidly growing electric car market.
Luce is known not only for being electric but also for its great performance. It has four electric motors which together deliver a power of approximately 1,050 CV – which means more than 1,000 horsepower. By doing this, Ferrari has tried to maintain its identity as a company making high-performance cars while also adopting electric powertrains.
When the Ferrari Luce was first introduced, it received mixed reactions from car enthusiasts. Former Apple designer Sir Jony Ive played an important role in the design of this car; He worked closely with Ferrari on the Luce through his company 'Lovefrom'. This is why its design looks so different and modern compared to Ferrari's current cars.
What will happen to the money received from the auction?
A special thing about this auction is that the entire amount received from it will not be given to Ferrari or the owner of the car alone. According to Ferrari, this amount will be invested in education related projects through the Ferrari Foundation.
Hearing the price of ₹382 crore, one might think that every Ferrari Luce would be this expensive, but it is not so. The model sold at auction was a unique “one-off” model (chassis 0); Its features and customization increased its price. The starting price of a typical Ferrari Luce is around €550,000.
For the company, the Ferrari Luce is not just a new car, but an important step towards the electric era. Despite initial criticism of the design, the record-breaking auction price and buzz surrounding the car shows that people are very interested in Ferrari's electric future. The company has also said that it has received positive response regarding the demand for Luce.