The Ferrari Luce, Maranello’s first electric car, has made headlines with its record-breaking price at a charity auction. Chassis 0, a unique Tailor Made Luce, sold for $40,000,000, equivalent to approximately £30,000,000 at current exchange rates.
This sale has made the Luce the most expensive new car ever sold, surpassing a unique McLaren F1 GTR that sold for $34.6m in the same auction.
The Auction and the Car
The charity auction, which took place during Monterey Car Week 2026, was held to benefit the Ferrari Foundation’s global education initiatives. The combination of a unique car and a good cause likely contributed to the high sale price.
The Luce itself is a special car, being the first production example of a Ferrari EV. It features a bespoke finish, with a unique iridescent semi-gloss white paint called Madreperia, which translates to mother-of-pearl.
The interior is equally impressive, with white Le Mans ‘metallic’ leather and Grigio Corvara, a light grey. The Luce logo on the dashboard is exclusively set against a white background, making this car truly one-of-a-kind.
The Buyer and the Motivations
The winning bidder was self-made billionaire Herbert Wertheim, who also bought the Ferrari Daytona SP3 Tailor Made for $26m at a charity auction during the 2025 Monterey Car Week.
Wertheim is known for his philanthropic efforts, and it’s likely that he saw this purchase as an opportunity to combine his charitable inclinations with his passion for unique Ferraris.
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Some may analyze his motivations, but it’s clear that he has a taste for one-off Ferraris and is willing to pay a premium for them.
Driving the Luce
Ferrari has allowed a few Luce prototype drive reviews, including one by former CAR editor Angus MacKenzie. While the Luce is certainly controversial, with its 1035bhp quad-motor powertrain, it still drives like a true Ferrari.
This may have reassured some collectors, who were likely drawn to the car’s unique features and charitable cause.
With its record-breaking price, the Luce has made a statement in the automotive world, and it will be interesting to see how it affects the perception of electric cars in the future.
The sale of the Luce has also raised questions about the value of unique cars and the role of charity auctions in the automotive world.
As for the Luce itself, it’s clear that it’s a special car that has found a good home with a buyer who appreciates its unique features and is willing to support a good cause.
