Ferrari’s first electric car, the €500,000 Luce, debuted in Rome last week under a veil of secrecy and high security. The launch, attended by journalists under strict non‑disclosure agreements, revealed a car that has already split fans and critics alike. The event also featured an early preview for the Pope, sparking rumors that he may have driven the vehicle.

Rome’s High‑Security Unveiling:Half‑Million Euro NDA and Presidential‑Style Parade

According to the source, journalists were required to sign NDAs threatening legal action and damages of at least half a million euros if the terms were breached. Camera lenses on all devices were sealed with stickers and repeatedly checked during a two‑day lockdown at Rome’s Vela di Calatrava complex. The highlight was a presidential‑style cavalcade through Rome’s traffic, with police cars and motorbikes stopping three lanes of motorway traffic and blocking slip roads, accompanied by the theme from The Italian Job.

Polarizing Design: Jony Ive’s LoveFrom vs. Luca di Montezemolo’s Critique

The source notes that former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo slammed the Luce’s design, saying it should not carry the brand’s famous prancing horse badge.. in contrast, former Top Gear presenter James May defended the car, calling it a Marmite‑style vehicle that some love and others hate. The design challenge was outsourced to San Francisco‑based LoveFrom, headed by Sir Jony Ive, the designer of the first iPhone.

Performance Specs That Shock the Market: 1036 hp, 2.5‑Second 0‑62mph, 193 mph Top Speed

Ferrari’s Luce is a five‑seater, four‑door, battery‑powered car that accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.5 seconds and reaches 124 mph in 6.8 seconds, with a top speed of 193 mph and a range of 329 miles. According to the report, the interior features plenty of physical buttons, a design choice that may carry over into future Ferraris.

Who Got the Early Preview? The Pope’s Possible Test Drive

The source claims that the Pope was granted an early peek at the Luce and may even have driven it. This detail, highlighted in the Daily Mail’s report, has not been confirmed by Ferrari or the Vatican , leaving the exact nature of the preview unclear.

Unanswered Questions: Copy‑Protection, Public Reception, and Future Electric Strategy

Three key questions remain: (1) How will Ferrari prevent the Luce’s design from being copied, especially by Chinese manufacturers? (2) Will the mixed public reaction to the exterior styling affect future electric models? (3) What will Ferrari’s broader electric strategy look like after launching a car that has already sparked controversy?