How Jony Ive’s Design Philosophy Redefines the Driving Experience in Ferrari’s First Electric Supercar, Luce

In an era where car interiors are increasingly dominated by large screens and touch interfaces, Ferrari partnered with former Apple design leader Jony Ive, his LoveFrom studio, and longtime collaborator Mark Newson to create the Ferrari Luce, the brand’s first pure‑electric supercar, aiming to return to the essence of driving.

Extreme restraint defines the design philosophy. The interface returns to first principles: the instrument cluster provides information, while the steering wheel handles command input. Every critical control is physical and mechanical , deliberately arranged. According to Ive, the driving experience sits at the absolute centre, with all other elements serving it, and Ferrari engineers validated each design hypothesis to preserve this purity in reality.

The cabin’s material language is dominated by anodized aluminum, machined from solid aluminium billets with CNC precision, eliminating visible plastic. Even hidden components match the finish of visible parts. A 12.86‑inch sculpted instrument cluster features smooth, rounded lines inspired by aviation and classic Ferrari gauges. Samsung’s stacked OLED technology delivers true black, infinite contrast, and a subtle parallax effect without causing distraction.

The steering wheel consists of 19 independent CNC‑machined parts made from fully recycled aluminium. Integrated control keys adjust power output, chassis settings, torque intervention, and regenerative braking, all designed to provide clear tactile feedback. Shift paddles are replaced by a meaningful interface for modulating acceleration and braking, and there is no pure decoration; every element exists because of its function .

At the centre of the cockpit, a 10.12‑inch screen is suspended in a ball‑nest bracket, reachable by driver or passenger. A palm‑rest replaces the common fingertip‑press interaction, while climate control returns to physical switches for rapid, precise adjustment. The top‑mounted control panel pays homage to aviation design and even incorporates launch‑control functionality.

The glass, developed with Corning, employs new automotive glass technology that includes laser‑etched micro‑holes and an anti‑fingerprint semi‑matte surface, adding both aesthetic and functional value.

Ferrari has not disclosed the Luce’s price or exterior design, but its intent is crystal clear. Executive chairman John Elkann explains that the name “Luce” is meant to avoid classifying the car merely as an electric powertrain; it is designed to be timeless, not a one‑off . In a market obsessed with screens and novelty, Ferrari chose durability, clarity, and a human‑centric focus . For the brand, this feels less like an iteration and more like a reset of automotive interior design.

The Luce interior serves as a lesson for designers: in an age of limitless technology, “doing less” requires more courage and wisdom than “adding more.” True luxury and innovation stem from deep insight into the core experience, relentless pursuit of material and craft excellence, and polishing every interaction until it feels inevitable. This marks not only a vision for the future of electric supercars but also a triumph of human‑focused design philosophy.