Ferrari Luce EV Sold for $40M: New World Record 2026
The Most Expensive New Car in History: First Ferrari Luce EV Sold for $40 Million
Historic RM Sotheby's charity auction in California: the unique "Chassis 0", created with the participation of former Apple designer Sir Jony Ive, exceeded its pre-sale estimate by more than 35 times.
The first production Ferrari electric vehicle — the Luce (Chassis 0) — set an absolute historical record for new car prices, selling at the RM Sotheby's auction in Monterey for $40,000,000. The car, featuring exclusive design by Sir Jony Ive and LoveFrom studio, was sold for charitable purposes: 100% of the proceeds were donated to The Ferrari Foundation educational fund.
Historic RM Sotheby's Auction in California
The exclusive 2026 Ferrari Luce Tailor Made, known as "Chassis 0", was the highlight of Monterey Auction Week. With a base retail price of around $640,000 (€550,000) for the standard version and an initial auction estimate of $1.1 million, the final bid skyrocketed to a record $40 million.
- Lot: First production chassis Ferrari Luce (Chassis 0);
- Final price: $40,000,000 (RM Sotheby's fully waived the buyer's commission);
- Charitable purpose: all proceeds directed to global educational initiatives of The Ferrari Foundation;
- Delivery timeline: the car will return to the Maranello factory for final preparation and will be delivered to the owner in early 2027.
Global trends, exclusive investment assets, and private analytics.
Bold Design by Jony Ive and Debates Around Brand DNA
The exterior and interior of the Luce were developed with the direct participation of the LoveFrom creative studio, founded by legendary former Apple design director Sir Jony Ive and designer Marc Newson.
The body is finished in a unique Madreperla Semi-Gloss enamel that shifts hue from green to purple depending on the angle of light, with white brake calipers and custom wheels.
Unlike the dominance of touch panels among competitors, Ive focused on precise tactile switches, a sculpted three-spoke steering wheel, and metallic leather in Perla with Grigio Corvara accents.
The transition to electric power, five-seat body, and departure from aggressive canonical lines drew criticism from purists. Former brand president Luca di Montezemolo stated that abandoning the V12 "puts the legend at risk." In response, chief designer Flavio Manzoni emphasized that true innovation always meets resistance, but over time becomes the new classic.
Technical Specifications and Asian Market Hype
Despite aesthetic debates, the Ferrari Luce powertrain demonstrates cutting-edge hypercar engineering standards:
- Powertrain: 4 independent radial electric motors with total output of 1,050 hp (772 kW);
- Performance: 0–100 km/h in 2.5 seconds, top speed — 310 km/h;
- Battery and range: 122 kWh traction battery (800V) provides over 530 km of range under WLTP cycle;
- Demand in China: the allocation for the Asian market was fully sold out before deliveries even began.
Table of Absolute Automotive Auction Records
- 🏆 Most expensive new car in history: 2026 Ferrari Luce "Chassis 0" — $40,000,000 (August 2026);
- 🥈 Previous new car record: Ferrari Daytona SP3 Tailor Made — $26,000,000 (2025);
- 👑 Most expensive car of all time (classic): 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé — $142,000,000 (May 2022).
Investment Perspective from RestProperty Experts
The $40 million sale of the Ferrari Luce proved that at the intersection of a luxury brand, a historic turning point (the first EV), and iconic design, assets emerge that are immune to market fluctuations.
The international company RestProperty applies the same principle when building investment portfolios in premium real estate: we select rare collectible properties on the first line that preserve and grow capital for decades.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why was the new Ferrari Luce sold for $40 million with a starting price of $640,000?
This is the "Chassis 0" — the first production electric vehicle in the brand's history, created through the Tailor Made program in collaboration with Jony Ive. Additionally, the lot had charitable status with the entire amount being donated to the foundation.
2. What is the power and range of the first Ferrari electric vehicle?
The Luce is equipped with 4 electric motors producing 1,050 hp, accelerates to 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds, and covers more than 530 km on a single charge with a 122 kWh battery.
3. Which car holds the record for the most expensive car of all time?
The absolute historical record belongs to the classic racing coupe 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut, sold at a private auction in 2022 for €135 million ($142 million).
This material is for informational and analytical purposes only. Data is current as of August 2026.
