The Honda 0 Series Saloon Would Have Made a Superior Ferrari Design Compared to the Luce.

      Honda

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      The Ferrari Luce has finally arrived, but the reception online has been largely negative. Despite some hints, the unconventional design of Ferrari’s first electric vehicle seems to have caught many off guard. This backlash has sparked criticism from both everyday commenters and industry insiders, a situation that could be seen as a fortunate break for Jaguar's public relations team. But could the Luce have had a different appearance? Absolutely, had Ferrari possessed Honda's creativity.

      The Honda 0 Saloon—the automaker's now-abandoned flagship EV—would have made for a superior Ferrari electric vehicle compared to the Luce. Its design accomplishes what the Luce's should have achieved, but fell short of. It echoes the disappointing trend we see today, where we have the Luce (with a reported starting price of $640,000) while Honda is seemingly wasting resources in its hasty retreat from the EV market in North America.

      The four-door design might still have dismayed some purists, but the 0 Saloon featured the traditional wedge shape typical of supercars like the Ferrari F40 and Testarossa. Sure, collaborating with Jony Ive—the renowned industrial designer associated with Apple—suggested that Ferrari was aiming for a significant departure from its heritage. However, the 0 Saloon genuinely introduced something unique, unlike the Luce.

      Filled with intriguing details such as reimagined windshield wipers, the Luce's overall silhouette resembles a generic crossover, with smoothed surfaces designed for aerodynamics. We’ve seen this design strategy in the Mercedes-Benz EQ SUVs and Lucid Gravity, as well as the BMW iX and Tesla Model X, which have added features like a large grille and gullwing doors. Not to forget the various startups like Faraday Future and Byton. Like the classic three-box sedan, this design has been replicated because it is effective. However, it’s fair to expect more from the inaugural electric Ferrari.

      The Luce disappoints as Ferrari opted for a cautious approach. Its design innovation lies in subtle details that require explanation, akin to setting up a poor joke, rather than making a strong overall impression. In contrast, the 0 Saloon evoked genuine emotion, even in the heart of this jaded writer. When Honda revealed the concept version at CES 2024, it was a refreshing surprise. And when Honda showcased a more polished “prototype” at CES 2025, claiming it was nearly production-ready, it seemed almost too good to be real. Ultimately, it turned out to be just that.

      The Honda design isn't superior in every aspect. The Luce’s interior appears much more attractive, and its user interface is likely to be more practical than the screen-heavy design of the 0 Saloon. Additionally, the Luce boasts specifications worthy of the Ferrari name (although its key metrics are comparable to the significantly cheaper Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric). Yet, regarding exterior styling, Ferrari and Ive seemed to overlook the bigger picture, becoming overly preoccupied with the electric characteristics. Honda's designers, on the other hand, simply crafted an intriguing, visually striking vehicle.