Here's Jony Ive's Ferrari Luce EV Interior and Interface Design
A Glimpse Inside Ferrari's Electric Future: The "Luce" Designed by Jony Ive
Ferrari, the legendary Italian automaker, is taking a big leap into the electric car world. In 2021, they teamed up with LoveFrom, a design company founded by Jony Ive – known for his work designing Apple products – and Marc Newson. Now, we're finally getting our first look at the inside of Ferrari's first all-electric car, named "Luce," which means "light" in Italian. This exciting reveal happened at an event in San Francisco, near LoveFrom's studio.
Designed for Drivers, Not Distractions
Automotive expert Jordan Golson, writing for PRNDL, explains a key idea behind the Luce's design: a car's controls should be easy to use mainly by touch, so drivers don't have to look away from the road. Jony Ive believes that touchscreens work well for devices like the iPhone because they solve many different problems, but they aren't ideal for driving. He states, "To use touch in a car is something I would never dream of doing, because it requires that you look at what you're doing." This philosophy heavily influenced the Luce's interior.
A Focus on Physical Controls
Following this idea, the Luce's cockpit is designed with a clear separation between what you touch and what you see. The steering wheel and the display behind it (the binnacle) form a dedicated driving area. Important functions like adjusting the air conditioning, heating your seat, or changing drive modes are all handled by physical buttons and dials. This means you can often make adjustments without taking your eyes off the road.
When you use these physical controls, the car's displays respond in a smart way, showing you relevant information. The instrument binnacle itself is quite advanced, combining multiple layered OLED screens to create a sense of depth. It even features a real mechanical needle that moves between these digital layers, blending modern tech with classic car design.
The steering wheel is crafted from exposed aluminum, giving it a sleek, high-tech look. The buttons on the wheel are made from glass and metal, and each is designed to feel different to the touch. This tactile feedback helps you know what you're pressing without needing to look. The paddle shifters, traditionally used for changing gears, now control electric vehicle functions like regenerative braking (which helps recharge the battery when slowing down) and how power is delivered to the wheels.
The "Theater" of the Glass Key
One of the most unique and exciting features of the Luce is its glass key, which incorporates an E Ink display. When it's in your pocket, the key appears in Ferrari's signature yellow color. Because E Ink technology doesn't use power when the image is static, it's very efficient. The magic happens when you enter the car: a magnet in the center console guides the key into a special dock. When you press the key down, the yellow color slowly fades to black as the key becomes one with the glass surface of the console. Jony Ive calls this entire experience "theater," reimagining the traditional ritual of starting a car for the electric age.
For a full, in-depth look at the Ferrari Luce's interior and interface, be sure to visit Jordan Golson's website, and don't forget to watch his exclusive video above!
The Luce's Journey: A Phased Reveal
Ferrari is revealing its first all-electric car in three stages. The first stage, which took place in Maranello last October, focused on the car's core technology, including its battery, electric motors, and the platform it's built upon. This second phase, as we've explored, is all about the luxurious and innovative interior and user interface. The final stage, where the full exterior design of the Ferrari Luce will be unveiled, is set to happen in Italy in May.
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