Apple Car Continues! Ferrari’s First EV Designed by Ex-iPhone Boss Sir Jony Ive
The Fusion of Apple’s Design Philosophy and Ferrari’s Innovation
The long-awaited Apple Car may have never materialized, but the influence of Apple’s design philosophy is now evident in a new vehicle that has captured the attention of car enthusiasts and tech lovers alike. This groundbreaking creation is none other than Ferrari’s first electric vehicle, the Luce. Named after the Italian word for “light,” this ultra-high-end sports car showcases a stunning interior that reflects the vision of one of the most influential designers of our time—Sir Jony Ive.
A Legacy of Design
Sir Jony Ive, who once led the design team at Apple, is renowned for his work on iconic products such as the Mac, the iPhone, and the iPad. His signature style is characterized by sleek lines, minimalism, and an emphasis on user experience. These elements are clearly visible in the design of the Ferrari Luce, particularly in the shape and materials used for the switches, steering wheel, and displays.
One of Sir Ive’s most notable contributions to Apple was the development of the ‘unibody’ design, which allowed MacBooks to be crafted from a single piece of aluminum. The same principle is applied to the Ferrari Luce, with its interior being carved from precision-milled chunks of anodized aluminum. The control panel and shifter are even made from the same glass used in iPhones—Gorilla Glass, a specially hardened material known for its durability.
Collaborative Design
Ferrari has been working closely with LoveFrom, a creative collective founded by Sir Jony Ive and Marc Newson, on every aspect of the Luce’s design. While the exterior of the car has not yet been revealed, the design influences are already apparent in the company’s first sneak peek.
In line with Apple’s founding design principles, Ferrari emphasizes functionality and user experience. The dashboard housing the speedometer and other instrumentation is mounted to the steering wheel so that they move together, ensuring the driver always has a clear view. The displays, although resembling traditional analog instruments, are actually extremely thin OLED displays that produce bright, clear graphics.
A Thoughtful Approach to Technology
Another notable feature of the Luce is the use of a small iPad-like display fitted onto a ball socket, allowing it to pivot to face the driver or passenger. This is the only touchscreen interface in the car. In a nod to Sir Ive’s design history, this screen includes a tiny digital clock reminiscent of the Apple Watch. Even this has been designed with Sir Ive’s signature attention to ergonomics.
The touchscreen is mounted on a small palm rest, allowing the driver to rest their hand on the display and tap the controls without looking. Ferrari claims that this design reduces the driver’s cognitive load, helping them focus more on driving rather than on adjusting settings and controls. This is not just a clever design choice—it could also be a lifesaving measure, as recent studies have shown that large touchscreen interfaces can be as distracting as using a mobile phone while driving.
A Return to Physical Controls
Perhaps the biggest departure from Sir Ive’s Apple legacy is the number of physical controls in the Ferrari Luce. While Apple famously minimized buttons to create smooth, simple shapes, the Luce has taken the opposite approach. The steering wheel and control panel are dotted with large, metal dials, switches, and buttons. There is even a large overhead panel near the rearview mirror with switches to operate the fog lights, demisters, and launch controls.
Looking Ahead
For now, Ferrari remains tight-lipped about the final details of the Luce, with key information such as the engine, battery capacity, and exterior design still under wraps. However, fans of both Ferrari and Apple will need to wait until May for the finished product to be revealed.
