Ferrari’s Controversial Luce EV Just Sold For A Staggering $40 Million

Ferrari’s first fully electric car has already created plenty of debate, but nobody could have predicted what happened at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction. The first production Ferrari Luce, known as “Chassis 0,” has sold for an astonishing $40 million, turning the controversial EV into one of the most expensive modern cars ever sold at auction.

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Ferrari Luce Chassis 0 Sells For $40 Million

From A $1.1 Million Estimate To An Incredible Auction Result

The result is almost impossible to believe when compared with the car’s pre-sale estimate. RM Sotheby’s had valued the special Luce at more than $1.1 million, but intense bidding pushed the final price all the way to $40 million. The auction house waived the buyer’s premium on this particular charity lot.

That means the Luce sold for roughly 36 times its pre-sale estimate.

The reason for the extraordinary valuation isn’t simply the fact that it is a Ferrari EV. This is Chassis 0, the first production example of Ferrari’s first all-electric model, making it an important piece of the company’s history.

Specification Ferrari Luce Chassis 0
Model Ferrari Luce
Model Year 2026
Powertrain Fully Electric
Electric Motors 4
Maximum Power Around 1,050 hp
0–100 km/h Around 2.5 seconds
Battery Around 122 kWh
Drive All-wheel drive
Seating 5
Chassis No. 0
Exterior Madreperla Semi-Gloss
Interior Perla Le Mans Metallic Leather
Auction Price $40 million
Auction House RM Sotheby’s
Charity Ferrari Foundation

Why Is This Ferrari Worth $40 Million?

It Is More Than Just A New Electric Car

A standard Ferrari Luce has a much lower price than the auction result. Ferrari launched the model at around €550,000, making the $40 million auction price an extraordinary premium.

The winning bidder wasn’t simply purchasing an expensive electric vehicle. They were buying the first production Ferrari EV, complete with a dedicated plaque identifying its Chassis 0 status.

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This kind of provenance can be extremely valuable to collectors. The car effectively represents the beginning of a completely new chapter for Maranello.

A Controversial Ferrari From The Beginning

The Luce Has Divided Ferrari Fans

The Luce wasn’t welcomed with universal applause when Ferrari revealed it earlier in 2026.

Its design is dramatically different from the traditional Ferrari formula. Instead of looking like a low-slung V8 or V12 supercar, the Luce is a five-seat, four-door electric grand tourer with a more practical body style.

That departure from Ferrari tradition generated criticism from some enthusiasts who felt the car didn’t look or feel like a conventional Ferrari. Ferrari’s first EV also contributed to a significant debate about whether electrification could preserve the emotional character associated with the brand. (Carscoops)

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Yet the controversy hasn’t stopped customers from buying it. Ferrari said in July that orders were progressing well and that it had already reached its 2026 sales target of nearly 500 Luce cars, with strong demand from China among the factors supporting the result.

The $40 Million Luce Is Specially Customized

Ferrari Tailor Made Takes It To Another Level

Chassis 0 isn’t an ordinary showroom-specification Luce. Ferrari’s Tailor Made department created an exclusive specification specifically for this car.

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The exterior uses a special Madreperla Semi-Gloss finish containing a dedicated pigment that creates iridescent reflections shifting between green and violet depending on the lighting and viewing angle.

The white theme continues through the dedicated wheels, bespoke brake calipers and Ferrari badge set against an optical-white background. (RM Sotheby’s)

Inside, Ferrari uses Perla Le Mans metallic leather together with Grigio Corvara details. The combination gives the cabin a much brighter and more minimalist appearance than a conventional Ferrari interior.

What Powers The Ferrari Luce?

Four Electric Motors Deliver More Than 1,000 HP

Despite all the attention surrounding its appearance, the Luce has serious performance credentials.

The production EV uses four electric motors, with one motor driving each wheel. Ferrari’s published specifications put output at around 1,050 hp, while acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes approximately 2.5 seconds.

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The Luce also uses a large battery and an 800-volt electrical architecture. Its five-seat layout and hatchback-style practicality make it very different from Ferrari’s traditional two-seat performance cars.

The Entire $40 Million Goes To Charity

Ferrari Foundation Will Receive The Proceeds

Perhaps the most important part of this extraordinary auction is where the money is going.

Ferrari has confirmed that all proceeds from the charity sale will benefit the Ferrari Foundation, which supports future educational initiatives.

That makes the $40 million result even more remarkable. The auction wasn’t simply about establishing a market price for Ferrari’s new EV. It was also a major philanthropic event tied to an important moment in Ferrari history.

The Luce Has Made Ferrari EV History

A New Chapter For Maranello

The $40 million sale gives the Luce an extraordinary place in Ferrari history before most customers have even received their cars.

It is the company’s first fully electric production vehicle, the first Ferrari to use this four-motor EV architecture and now one of the most expensive modern cars ever sold at a public auction.

The auction result also sends an interesting message to Ferrari’s critics. While the Luce’s styling and electric powertrain remain controversial among some traditionalists, the demand for the car appears to be considerably stronger than the initial backlash suggested.

Conclusion

The Ferrari Luce Chassis 0 selling for $40 million is one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 automotive auction season.

A car originally expected to bring a little over $1.1 million ended up selling for $40 million, largely because of its historic Chassis 0 status, unique Tailor Made specification and importance as Ferrari’s first production EV.

The Luce may have divided Ferrari enthusiasts, but its auction result proves that controversy doesn’t necessarily destroy desirability. In fact, its historic importance may ultimately make Chassis 0 one of the most fascinating Ferraris of the modern era.

And because every dollar from the sale goes toward the Ferrari Foundation, this remarkable $40 million price tag will help fund educational initiatives while preserving a piece of Ferrari’s transition into the electric age.

Disclaimer

This article is based on information available as of August 16, 2026. The $40 million figure refers specifically to the sale of Ferrari Luce Chassis 0 at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction and should not be considered the regular market price of the Ferrari Luce. The production model has a substantially lower starting price. Specifications, equipment and future pricing may vary. Official Ferrari and RM Sotheby’s information should be considered the final authority.