The first electric Ferrari sold at auction for $40 million, setting a record for the most expensive new car ever sold. The sale occurred during Monterey Car Week 2026, where the Ferrari Luce—Chassis 0—outbid a unique McLaren F1 GTR, which sold for $34.6 million.
The Luce drew criticism for its design and electric powertrain, but the auction result showed that even a divisive model can achieve extraordinary value in the right setting.
The sale was part of a charity auction, with all proceeds going to the Ferrari Foundation to support global education initiatives. The event’s high-profile setting, where wealthy collectors gathered, likely contributed to the record price.
Chassis 0 stood out as the first production example of Ferrari’s electric lineup, making it unique. It also featured Tailor Made customization, including an iridescent semi-gloss white exterior called Madreperia, matching wheels, and brake calipers. The interior used white Le Mans leather with light grey accents, reinforcing the car’s futuristic design.
The buyer, Herbert Wertheim, is a self-made billionaire and philanthropist who previously purchased a Tailor Made Ferrari Daytona SP3 for $26 million at the 2025 Monterey Car Week. His reasons for the purchase remain unclear, though his past support for charitable causes suggests the sale held personal significance beyond the car itself.
Ferrari permitted select journalists to test early Luce prototypes, including former CAR editor Angus MacKenzie. Reviews confirmed that despite its 1,035-horsepower quad-motor setup, the car maintained the brand’s handling characteristics. This may have reassured collectors who were initially skeptical of an electric Ferrari.
The auction result demonstrated that scarcity and exclusivity can outweigh controversy. For now, the record stands, and Chassis 0 has secured its place in automotive history.
Ferrari has indicated that electric models will remain a small part of its production, at least in the near future. The Luce’s success at auction could encourage more niche EV offerings, though the company is unlikely to shift toward mass-market electrification quickly. For collectors like Wertheim, the appeal lies in owning something rare—and at $40 million, that exclusivity carries a steep cost.
The car will likely spend most of its time in a private collection rather than on public roads. During one weekend in Monterey, it became the focus of a high-stakes bidding war and a defining moment for Ferrari’s electric ambitions.
Meanwhile, the UK plans to introduce a pay-per-mile car tax system that mirrors the old paper discs, adding another layer to the evolving automotive setting.
