The Prancing Horse of Maranello has been caught testing a Tesla Model S Plaid. This comes as a surprise considering Ferrari’s reputation as a luxury car manufacturer. The Model S Plaid is a fully electric sedan with unique features such as high-voltage stickers and a Bianco Perla Micalizzato paint job. It also comes with standard 19-inch wheels, although some may find it odd that Ferrari didn’t opt for the larger 21-inch wheels. However, it’s important to note that larger wheels can negatively impact the car’s driving range.
So why is Ferrari testing a Tesla? It turns out that Ferrari has plans to release its own electric vehicle. Originally scheduled for 2023, the release of this mysterious EV has been pushed back to 2025 under the leadership of former CEO Louis Camilleri. The Agnelli family, who owns Ferrari, announced in 2022 that the EV would be launched in 2025.
In the meantime, Ferrari has big plans for its 2023 lineup. The company’s results presentation includes the “inauguration of the e-building and 3 new model launches.” The e-building refers to a factory expansion that will house a battery research and development center. Ferrari’s CEO, Benedetto Vigna, has set a target of 40 percent of the company’s sales to be zero-emission vehicles by 2030. The new facility is expected to be operational by June 2024 and will have the capacity to produce up to 15,000 vehicles per year.
There are still many unanswered questions about Ferrari’s upcoming electric vehicle. Will it have a dual-motor setup like the Model S Plaid, or perhaps even three motors? How powerful will it be compared to the 1-megawatt Lanzador? Unfortunately, we don’t have the answers to these questions just yet. The carparazzi have yet to capture a chassis mule of the highly anticipated EV.
When it comes to the overall design and features of Ferrari’s electric vehicle, it’s likely that the company will take inspiration from Tesla and its direct competitor. We can expect the EV to have over 1,000 horsepower, similar to the Plaid and Lanzador. It’s also possible that it will feature at least two electric motors, a brand-new platform designed specifically for electric vehicles, and seating for up to four or five people.
Ferrari will undoubtedly incorporate Formula 1 technologies into its electric vehicle, particularly in terms of battery technology. We may even see the inclusion of the S-duct system, which Ferrari introduced in its road cars with the limited-edition 488 Pista in 2018.
While some may have reservations about an electric Ferrari, the company is determined to make its first electric vehicle a true Ferrari in every sense. It will undoubtedly stand out from other electric vehicles on the market and embody the spirit of the iconic Italian brand.
Photo: Ferrari
The highly anticipated EV is finally set to enter series production in the latter half of 2025. And let’s be honest, it’s not going to come cheap. But just how expensive will it be? That’s the million-dollar question. Will it surpass the price tag of the plug-in hybrid SF90 Stradale? Or will it find its place somewhere between the SF90 Stradale and the plug-in hybrid 296 GTB? Only time will tell.