Ferrari’s cautious approach to electrification culminates this October when the storied automaker reveals its R16m Elettrica to the world.
Ferrari is preparing to enter the electric age with the official unveiling of its first fully electric vehicle (EV), scheduled for 9 October 2025. The reveal will take place during Ferrari’s Capital Markets Day at its iconic Maranello headquarters in Italy.
Charging into the future
While many premium automakers rushed headlong into electrification, Ferrari has taken a measured, strategic approach. According to Reuters, Ferrari has been preparing for this shift for years. This was to ensure its first EV would be nothing less than a full-blooded Ferrari in every sense – performance, design, and emotional impact included.
Another high-rider?
Internally referred to as the “Elettrica”, the model will be Ferrari’s first production car to run purely on electric power. Although official specs remain under wraps, EV.com reports that the model will likely take the form of a high-riding GT or crossover, not unlike the Purosangue in stature (pictures below), though with a completely new design language.
One intriguing twist is that test mules have reportedly emitted exhaust-like sounds. These are clearly not from an engine, but from a synthesised audio system that Ferrari is developing to preserve the visceral aural experience its fans crave (EV.com). After all, Ferrari knows that for many buyers, a Ferrari should sound like a Ferrari – even if it doesn’t burn fuel.
The electric building
Backing this electric transformation is Ferrari’s brand-new “E-Building”. It’s a cutting-edge production facility in Maranello that will handle the manufacturing of electric drivetrains, including motors, inverters, and battery modules. It will also be responsible for assembling Ferrari’s next-generation hybrids, consolidating the company’s EV ambitions under one ultra-modern roof.
Financial Times notes that this investment is part of a broader strategy that sees Ferrari moving toward a 60% electric and hybrid sales mix by 2026 – up from 51% in 2024, a sign that the transition is already well underway.
Exclusivity has a price tag
In true Ferrari fashion, this new model won’t come cheap. BusinessLive reports that the vehicle is expected to start at over €500 000 – a figure that translates to around R9,6 million at current exchange rates. Once the car reaches South Africa, its price could easily reach R16m. That would make it the most expensive non-limited series Ferrari ever sold locally.
As good as ICE Ferraris?
This aligns with Ferrari’s strategy of low-volume, high-margin production, ensuring that exclusivity remains a core part of the brand’s mystique. Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna has promised that the new EV will be launched “in a unique and innovative way,” and reiterated that it will deliver “an experience that is as thrilling and emotional as any combustion engine model” (EV.com).
A South African perspective
While Ferrari’s EV is unlikely to be a volume seller in South Africa – given its premium price point – it does mark a significant moment in the evolution of ultra-luxury EVs. It also sends a clear message to South African enthusiasts and collectors: the age of the electric supercar is no longer approaching – it’s here.
The South African market has been slow to adopt EVs due to high import duties and premium pricing. However, Ferrari’s entry into the space is likely to increase visibility and interest in electric mobility, perhaps among affluent buyers who already own ICE Ferraris.
For local fans and collectors, October’s unveiling could be the beginning of a new chapter – one where Ferrari’s legacy of speed, design, and emotion is preserved through electricity rather than petrol.
What’s next?
With production expected to begin in early 2026, Ferrari’s EV won’t just compete with electric offerings from Porsche, Rimac, Lotus, or Yangwang (BYD) – it could redefine what an electric supercar is supposed to be.
In the meantime, feast your eyes on last year’s crop: the Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider and hybrid Ferrari F80.
