During Monterey Car Week in California, a unique Ferrari Luce “Chassis 0” was sold at a charity auction for $40 million, establishing a new benchmark for the most expensive new vehicle ever sold at auction. The sale, conducted by RM Sotheby’s, far exceeded the car’s original estimate of $1.1 million, reaching 36 times that figure.
Details of the record‑breaking sale
The Luce, Ferrari’s first fully electric model, features an electric motor on each of its four wheels and a distinctive bubble‑shaped body that departs from the brand’s traditional angular styling. While the design sparked mixed reactions among some Ferrari enthusiasts when the model was unveiled in May, the auction result underscores strong collector interest.
Ferrari USA highlighted the moment on Instagram, noting that “history was made” as the bids continued to climb. All proceeds from the sale will be directed to The Ferrari Foundation to support its educational initiatives.
Unique features of the “Chassis 0” Luce
The auctioned vehicle is a bespoke version with a pearl‑like, semi‑gloss finish that shifts color from green to violet when struck by light. Its interior is finished in a custom Perla Le Mans metallic leather, combining black accents with a white background.
After the auction, the car will return to Maranello, Italy, where it was built, before being delivered to the unnamed buyer in the first quarter of 2027.
Ferrari’s broader electric rollout
The publicly available Luce, priced at €550,000 (approximately $640,000), is slated for delivery beginning in the fourth quarter of 2026. Ferrari has described the electric model as “a different sort of Ferrari for a different sort of Ferrari client,” emphasizing its role in expanding the brand’s portfolio beyond traditional internal‑combustion sports cars.
Shares of Ferrari fell more than 8 % on the Milan stock exchange shortly after the Luce’s May unveiling, reflecting market uncertainty about the company’s shift toward electrification.
Charitable impact
The auction was part of a broader charitable effort during Monterey Car Week, a premier automotive gathering that attracts collectors, manufacturers, and enthusiasts from around the world. By directing the $40 million proceeds to the Ferrari Foundation, the sale supports educational programs aligned with the automaker’s corporate responsibility goals.
Ferrari has not yet commented further on the auction outcome.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
