Ferrari's First EV, the Luce, Reveals Interior: Designed by Former Apple Design Chief Jony Ive, Features Physical Buttons for Driving "Ritual"

Ferrari's first all-electric model, the Luce, has recently revealed its interior design, led by Apple’s legendary designer Jony Ive. Centered on the concept of “blending retro and modern,” the cabin boldly reintroduces physical buttons and controls—a deliberate counterpoint to the automotive industry’s current overreliance on oversized touchscreens. According to Carscoops on April 3, Ive and Marc Newson, co-founder of his design firm LoveFrom, jointly crafted the Luce’s cockpit. They argue that while Tesla-pioneered “giant-screen” interiors have become mainstream, this approach is far from ideal in a car. “From a functional standpoint, large touchscreens simply aren’t suited for vehicles—it’s actually an easy, lazy solution,” Ive stated bluntly, criticizing the industry for prioritizing style and trends over genuine driving experience. Inside the Luce, digital displays are still present, but critical functions are not delegated to touchscreens. Instead, they’re managed through an array of high-quality physical switches, levers, and knobs—each delivering clear tactile feedback. This intentional design aims to enhance the sense of “ritual” during driving, a particularly vital element given that electric powertrains lack the emotional connection traditionally offered by internal combustion engines. The steering wheel features a classic three-spoke layout, composed of 19 precision-machined components. It integrates core controls such as the Manettino drive-mode dial, wipers, and turn signals. Behind it sits a circular OLED digital instrument cluster supplied by Samsung, topped with premium glass to balance technological sophistication with refined craftsmanship. “Creating something simple and intuitive is incredibly difficult,” Ive emphasized. “Everything must be driven by function—not decoration.” In his view, the steering wheel handles input, while the instrument cluster delivers output; together, they form the core of the driving experience, and every other design element should revolve around this principle. With the Luce’s interior, Ferrari not only demonstrates obsessive attention to detail but also articulates a distinct design philosophy amid the prevailing tide of electrification: technology should never replace tactility, and authentic feedback remains essential to driving.