Maranello reveals technology behind Ferrari's first electric car

The soul of a Ferrari has always been its engine - for many fans around the world, it is a true symphony of screaming pistons. But the times are changing, and the legendary Italian automaker is composing a new piece - and this one is powered by electrons instead of gasoline. Ferrari's first-ever fully electric vehicle, tentatively named the "Elettrica," is packed with technology that promises to redefine what an EV can be.

Set to be a grand tourer with practical back seats, the Elettrica is not the low-slung, two-seat supercar some might expect. Instead, it seems to draw inspiration from the company's more versatile models, like the GTC4Lusso and the wildly popular Purosangue SUV.

Powering this new machine are four electric motors, developed and built in-house at Ferrari's Maranello factory. In its most aggressive "Boost mode," this quartet of motors will deliver close to 1,000 horsepower, launching the car from 0 to 62 mph in 2.5 seconds.

The power is heavily biased toward the rear, with two 416-horsepower motors that spin up to 25,000 RPM. Up front, two smaller 141-horsepower motors can decouple entirely, allowing for efficient cruising. The car's top speed is projected to be 192 mph.

Ferrari has engineered a unique solution for the battery. The Elettrica features a large 122 kWh battery pack, also built in Maranello, which is integrated directly into the car's chassis. Most of the battery modules are placed behind the driver and under the rear seats, helping to achieve a weight distribution of 47% front and 53% rear.

On an 800-volt system, the car can handle fast charging up to 350 kW. Ferrari claims a range of 329 miles on the European WLTP cycle, which will likely translate to just under 300 miles in official EPA testing in the US. In a nod to longevity - a key concern for car collectors - the battery is modular, designed so it can be replaced with future technologies to keep the car on the road for decades.

One of the biggest challenges for performance electric cars is their weight. The Elettrica is expected to weigh around 5,071 lb, similar to the Purosangue. To make a car this heavy feel nimble and athletic, Ferrari is employing some serious technological wizardry.

It will use a version of the active suspension system that uses a 48-volt motor on each damper to actively control the car's body movements, promising both a comfortable ride and extreme handling precision. Adding to this is an independent rear-wheel steering system, giving the car's computer total control over its agility. The car's wheelbase is 116.5 inches, relatively short for a grand tourer, which should contribute to a responsive feel.

The most debated aspect of electric cars is the driver experience - the sound and feel that connect a person to the machine. Ferrari is avoiding the path of creating fake engine noises, and instead, it has placed an accelerometer on the rear axle to pick up the authentic sounds of the electric drivetrain. These organic sounds are then amplified into the cabin, much like an electric guitar amplifies the sound of its strings.

To address the lack of gears, Ferrari has developed a system called "Torque Shift Engagement." Using the steering wheel paddles, the driver can cycle through five different power and torque maps that mimic the feeling of shifting up through gears. The downshift paddle, meanwhile, introduces a simulated engine braking effect, recreating the sensation of downshifting.

Ferrari has shared a wealth of technical details, but much still remains a mystery. The final design, which is being developed in partnership with LoveFrom, the firm co-founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive, has not yet been revealed. Pricing is also unknown, though Elettrica is expected to be one of Ferrari's most expensive cars.

The full debut is coming next year, with a market launch in the first half of 2026. With many details still missing, what is clear is that Ferrari is setting a new standard, blending its storied heritage of performance with forward-thinking technology.

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