By Deji Osas
Ferrari’s first fully electric model blends Italian performance with minimalist design influence from former Apple design chief Jony Ive.
The long-rumoured Apple Car may never have materialised, but its design philosophy appears to be steering a different automotive future — this time inside Ferrari’s first fully electric vehicle.
Nicknamed the Ferrari Luce — “light” in Italian — the ultra-premium EV carries strong design fingerprints from Sir Jony Ive, the former design chief at Apple Inc..
Ferrari confirmed it collaborated with LoveFrom, the creative collective founded by Ive and Marc Newson, on virtually every aspect of the car’s interior design.
Apple-Inspired Craftsmanship
Sir Jony Ive is widely regarded as one of the most influential designers of the modern era, having overseen the creation of iconic products such as the iPhone, MacBook and iPod. His signature “unibody” philosophy — where devices are sculpted from a single piece of material — is clearly echoed in the Luce.
Much like a MacBook, the Ferrari Luce’s interior components are precision-milled from solid blocks of anodised aluminium. The steering wheel and control interfaces reflect the same clean, sculptural aesthetic that defined Apple’s hardware evolution.
The gear shifter and central controls are reportedly crafted from Gorilla Glass — the hardened glass commonly used in smartphones — giving the interior a refined, high-tech finish with durability to match.
Minimalism — With a Twist
While Ive is often associated with removing buttons in favour of sleek touchscreens, Ferrari has taken a slightly different approach.
Instead of filling the cabin with massive displays like many modern EVs — including models such as the Tesla Model Y — Ferrari opted for a more driver-focused layout.
The dashboard instrumentation is mounted directly to the steering wheel, ensuring that speed and performance data remain in the driver’s line of sight at all times. Though they appear analogue at first glance, these are ultra-thin OLED displays delivering crisp, vivid graphics.
The only touchscreen is an iPad-sized panel mounted on a pivoting ball joint, allowing it to face either the driver or passenger. It even includes a subtle digital clock reminiscent of the Apple Watch.
In a thoughtful ergonomic touch, the display includes a palm rest beneath it — allowing the driver to stabilise their hand while operating controls without diverting attention from the road.
Prioritising Safety Over Screens
Ferrari says the goal is to reduce the driver’s “cognitive load,” ensuring that technology enhances rather than distracts from the driving experience.
Research has increasingly shown that oversized touchscreens can be as distracting as using a mobile phone behind the wheel. By incorporating tactile switches, metal dials and physical buttons — even an overhead control panel for lighting and launch settings — Ferrari is blending digital sophistication with analogue reassurance.
What We Still Don’t Know
Despite the detailed interior preview, Ferrari has yet to unveil the full exterior design or disclose key performance specifications such as battery capacity and range.
Motoring enthusiasts — and Apple loyalists — will have to wait until the official reveal in May for the complete picture.
For now, however, the Ferrari Luce stands as a fascinating fusion of Silicon Valley minimalism and Italian automotive heritage — proof that even without an Apple badge, the spirit of Cupertino’s design revolution is finding new roads.
