Ferrari shares fall after launch of first EV as Jony Ive design proves divisive

however while folks are negative on Ive for the car shape, he only designed the interiors not the car body, and the interiors are kinda lovely car interior design:

-no touchscreen (dangerous while driving) -clicky, intuitive tactile switches and buttons -thoughtful use of color (display base color changes based on driving mode)

I mean even just looking at those air conditioning vents (rotate vent to open/close) is classive Ive: intuitive but sophisticated.

I hope more manufacturers copy these new/old patterns on the interiors.

The fact that even though an ICE engine is only 35% efficient, the energy density of fuel is still much higher than gas. Gasoline is 50x more energy-dense than an average EV lithium battery (taking a Tesla Model 3 as example). That's why you can fuel 9L of gasoline or charge and carry around ~500kg of batteries for the same range.

So in order to make the car efficient and travel 500km you have to bend the shape to be as aerodynamic as possible. That's where retractile/flush handles also come from, it wasn't just a gimmick or wow-factor on the Model S when it launched. It's still like that years later on all models because it still makes the car more efficient.

The research and push for higher densities is finally starting to pay off, so in time less efficient but more appealing/classic designs may start to emerge again, because you're less constrained by how much energy you can carry per same weight/volume.

Audi and BMW have been doing this for years at this point.

BMW i4 is a 4 series grand coupe (i.e., hatchback sedan in this case).

Audi ev suvs are super close to the gas versions. Both are shifting overlapped designs around though, perhaps specializing.

Nothing. That's exactly what early car makers did — they took a carriage and removed the horse. Electric cars with big hoods and radiator grills is the same thing.

That has been done. But it's never optimal, as it's not just a case of "pull out the ice engine, put in the electric motor". Different constraints leads to a different design.

e.g. The electric motors are better mounted near the drive wheels, no "transmission tunnel". The heavy batteries are ideally mounted across the bottom of the vehicle like a skateboard, they do not replace a gas tank.

It’s literally the MK7 Golf R, but with AWD removed and a battery instead of an engine. Physical interior throughout with CarPlay/AA, all aftermarket parts for the MK7 work with it. Drives like a go-kart on the streets.

Super fun as a second or third grocery getter if you can find one in good condition and with the right option sets.

Isn't that literally what the first Tesla was? An existing Lotus chassis with electric guts?

I do think it's kinda weird that Ferrari didn't do something similar, or at least closer to that, compared to... this thing.

I definitely don't mind the new i3 (or even the old one), which are pure electric designs.

Nobody, and I mean nobody, is looking at owning a Ferrari for “efficiency”. They are similar to Porsche where you’re looking for a driving feel, or for the badge.

Ferrari releasing this feels like saying “our ethos does not matter”. This thing should’ve been a sports car through and through, efficiency be damned.

Many hybrid cars, even plug-in hybrids, look like ICE cars, and don't stand out on the street. I think it's the way to go for more EV adoption.

A "normal" Ferrari or any old sportscar looks cool on a race track but in real life it is literally midlife crisis on wheels, very awkward and out of place. I always feel pity/judgement when I see one. I heard it's also uncomfortable for passengers in the back and so on.

Form is function. Making this car look like something it isn't just for the sake of legacy appearance would be top engineering stupidity and waste. And trying to compete with your own ICE cars at what they are best also would not be so smart business-wise.

I'm not a car guy but this car seems to be doing something totally new for Ferrari. If there was no controversy THEN it would be worrying!

I think they might have had much more success with a strategy like the R32 EV. Take something classic (like the Testarossa) and electrify it. Remind people that EVs are an evolution rather than a capitulation to generic boringness.

s/Ferrari/Tesla and I think we have the sentiment of any cybertruck owners

The UX seems actually very good (based on this short review so far). Good use of physical tactile controls + flexibility of a screen.

As to external looks. Whenever I see old ICE sports cars (all those lotuses, ferraris, lamborghinis) they seem so awkward and out of place on city streets. They just scream midlife crisis. I think this will be an upgrade in that sense.