Updated
Updated · Top Gear · Jul 29
Top Gear Praises 1,000bhp Ferrari Luce Prototype as Design Backlash Engulfs EV Debut
Updated
Updated · Top Gear · Jul 29

Top Gear Praises 1,000bhp Ferrari Luce Prototype as Design Backlash Engulfs EV Debut

3 articles · Updated · Top Gear · Jul 29

Summary

  • Top Gear said Ferrari’s Luce prototype is “exquisite to drive,” arguing the brand’s first electric model delivers real driver engagement despite fierce criticism of its styling and EV concept.
  • 1,000bhp-plus from four motors, a 122kWh 800-volt battery and a control unit updating 200 times a second underpin a car Top Gear said feels far more agile than its 2,260kg weight suggests.
  • Ferrari’s torque-vectoring, rear-wheel steering and new Torque Shift Engagement system were cited as key to making the Luce intuitive in corners, while active suspension kept the ride composed even on rough surfaces.
  • The review said the Luce’s cab-forward shape and Jony Ive-linked design language remain divisive online, but the finished interior, brake feel and synthesized-yet-authentic sound give the car distinct character.
  • At nearly 5 meters long and 2 meters wide, the pre-production Luce still needs a final verdict, but Top Gear framed it as a technically transformative Ferrari rather than a mere electric imitation.

Insights

Is the Luce really Ferrari’s future-proof breakthrough, or just an impressive prototype hiding big questions on design, range, and long-term appeal?
How did Ferrari make a 2,260kg four-door EV feel agile on track, and will that magic survive in the final production car?