Florida billionaire buys Ferrari Luce for $40M

Herbert A. Wertheim, the 87-year-old technology investor, has acquired Ferrari's inaugural fully electric production vehicle, the Ferrari Luce, for a record-breaking $40 million. The extraordinary deal transpired at the RM Sotheby's Monterey auction, where the car significantly surpassed its pre-auction estimate of $1.1 million. The proceeds from the sale were directed towards the Ferrari Foundation.

The Ferrari Luce is a collaboration between Ferrari and LoveFrom, the creative collective established by Apple's Jony Ive and Marc Newson. The car is distinguished by its 1,036 horsepower, achieved through four electric motors. It can go from 0 to 62 mph in roughly 2.5 seconds, with a top speed of approximately 193 mph. The Luce boasts a 122-kWh battery, with a WLTP range of about 329 miles and the capability to charge at up to 350 kW.

Wertheim's purchase is particularly significant due to his history with Apple and his investment philosophy. He first invested in Apple at its 1980 initial public offering, becoming an early shareholder in the company that would eventually become a global technology titan. The Ferrari Luce, bearing Chassis 0, is a unique piece of Ferrari's electric-car legacy, reflecting Wertheim's appreciation for innovation and design.