Ferrari’s much-anticipated first electric vehicle has finally been unveiled， marking a significant step for the iconic marque. After four years since its initial announcement in 2021， the project， codenamed “Elettrica” (Italian for “electric”)， has made its debut. However， rather than a complete car， Ferrari has showcased core components like the chassis and suspension， suggesting a deliberate， perhaps unhurried， approach to electrification.
The Elettrica is expected to be an electric GT sports car， tentatively scheduled for a 2026 market launch. Initial reports suggest a starting price of approximately 500，000 Euros， roughly translating to 4 million RMB. This pricing positions it firmly in the ultra-luxury segment， offering prospective buyers ample time to consider their options and finances.
As a legacy manufacturer of high-performance internal combustion engine (ICE) sports cars， Ferrari has equipped the Elettrica with some impressive specifications. The powertrain promises exhilarating acceleration， achieving 0-100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 310 km/h. The electric motors are highly capable， with the front axle motor reaching 30，000 RPM and the rear axle motor 25，000 RPM. Combined， the four motors are expected to generate over 1000 horsepower， ensuring formidable power delivery.
Beyond raw speed， stability is also a key focus. The Elettrica features an all-aluminum chassis and independent flexible subframes. However， it is notable that the vehicle’s weight reaches 2.3 tons， making it the heaviest production car in Ferrari’s history. This increased weight is a common challenge in electric vehicle development due to the inherent density of battery packs.
To counteract this， Ferrari has equipped the Elettrica with a sophisticated suspension system. This includes double wishbone suspensions on both the front and rear axles， a front steering tie rod， and a third-generation 48V active suspension system. Coupled with rear-wheel steering， this setup aims to enhance both handling dynamics and ride comfort. The active suspension， in particular， can independently adjust vertical forces at each wheel， contributing to a more stable vehicle posture.
Ferrari has a history of employing advanced suspension technology， notably with the SCM-E active suspension introduced in the 2013 F12berlinetta， which could predict body posture and actively mitigate roll， pitch， and bumps. While the Elettrica’s chassis stability and acceleration are impressive， Ferrari recognizes that the visceral thrill of an ICE engine is a core part of its brand identity. To compensate for the absence of engine sound， Elettrica utilizes sensors to capture internal motor vibrations， amplifying and generating realistic motor sounds. This approach aims to provide an unparalleled auditory experience， distinguishing it from other EVs that rely on artificial or synthesized sound profiles.
Furthermore， Elettrica’s sound system supports revving the engine in neutral， a feature that demonstrates Ferrari’s understanding of driver engagement and the desire for an immersive experience， even in an electric vehicle. For potential buyers， range anxiety is a significant concern， and Ferrari appears to have prioritized this aspect. The Elettrica boasts a substantial 122 kWh battery. A key innovation is the ability for the front axle motor to completely disconnect from the wheels within 0.5 seconds， shifting to a pure rear-wheel-drive mode. Unlike conventional four-wheel-drive EVs where the front motor is simply de-energized， the Elettrica’s “disconnect” mechanism actively reduces drag from the front motors， leading to increased efficiency and range.
Under the WLTP cycle， the Elettrica is rated for a range of 530 kilometers， with an estimated CLTC range of 600 kilometers. Even accounting for a real-world reduction of 20%， this translates to approximately 480 kilometers. Such a range significantly surpasses many ICE-powered Ferraris， which often consume over 20 liters per 100 kilometers and require refueling after around 300 kilometers. This makes the Elettrica potentially the best-in-class for urban range among Ferrari models， signifying a strong statement for electrification.
The competitive landscape for the Elettrica appears relatively open. While Maserati offers the GranTurismo Folgore， its brand perception may not fully match Ferrari’s. Lamborghini’s Urus EV is still some time away， giving Ferrari a crucial first-mover advantage among established European luxury automakers. However， this advantage is limited to competitors who haven’t yet fully embraced electrification.
Looking at the battery technology， the 122 kWh unit has an energy density of 195 Wh/kg， which is in line with mainstream electric vehicles from Chinese manufacturers. The peak charging power is rated at 350kW， with a peak charging rate of 2.87C. This performance is comparable to the Porsche Taycan 4S from 2018. Ferrari’s approach to driver assistance systems appears less emphasized， suggesting that this is not a primary selling point for the Elettrica.
The Elettrica’s battery and chassis integration design involves encapsulating battery cells into independent “small boxes” that are then embedded into the chassis. This differs from the increasingly prevalent “cell-to-body” (CTB) or “cell-to-chassis” (CTC) architectures common in mainstream EVs， which integrate cells directly into the chassis or body structure for improved volumetric efficiency and body rigidity. While this modular battery design might simplify repair and replacement processes， the associated costs for servicing a Ferrari are expected to remain substantial.
Given a potential starting price of 4 million RMB， the Elettrica’s product offering， lacking truly groundbreaking technological advancements， may not be compelling enough. Furthermore， with an anticipated launch in 2026， and Ferrari’s historical practice of long lead times for custom orders and allocations， actual delivery might not occur until 2027. This delay further diminishes the perception of advanced technology. For many of Ferrari’s loyal clientele， the roar of their V8 and V12 engines offers a charm that the Elettrica may struggle to replicate.
Purchasing a traditional Ferrari is often viewed as a statement of identity and an asset， akin to acquiring a timeless piece of art that retains its value and prestige over time. The Elettrica， however， enters a market where its “shelf life” might be shorter， facing potential issues of technological obsolescence， battery degradation， and aging infotainment systems， which may detract from the elegance and enduring appeal associated with the Ferrari brand.
Ironically， the Elettrica’s debut coincided with Ferrari’s Capital Markets Day， where its 2030 strategic plan presented more significant shifts. The company lowered its net revenue target from 10 billion Euros to 9 billion and revised its target for pure electric vehicle sales from 40% to 20% of its product mix. This recalibration led to Ferrari experiencing its largest single-day stock drop since its IPO， with a market value erosion of 12.7 billion USD. The apparent “conservatism” in Ferrari’s EV strategy can be attributed to market data: over 60% of high-end sports car owners perceive electrification as potentially diluting Ferrari’s unique character， with many expressing reluctance to adopt electric models. Forcing a 40% EV penetration would be challenging and could detract from the profitability of its core ICE business.
In the first half of 2025， Ferrari reported a gross profit margin of approximately 52%， with an average profit of 800，000 RMB per vehicle sold. This highlights the robust profitability of its ICE vehicle sales. Embracing electric vehicles presents a significant challenge， requiring substantial R&D investment and facing uncertainties in battery costs. However， not venturing into EVs could deter investors and negatively impact stock value， while stringent emissions regulations and the need to maintain an environmentally conscious brand image also compel a transition.
Ferrari is currently navigating a complex situation where both buyers and the company itself seem hesitant about full-scale electrification， yet external pressures are pushing for this transition. Without full commitment and enthusiasm， achieving success with electric vehicles becomes even more challenging， which perhaps explains the Elettrica’s current product positioning. For Ferrari， the immediate priority appears to be stabilizing its core ICE business， even if it means accepting short-term dips in market valuation.
