FERRARI

First electric Ferrari spotted testing with fake exhausts

Ferrari tested the drivetrain of its first SUV on the Levante chassis of its Maserati subsidiary, and is now spotted doing the same with its first pure electric vehicle that is expected to cost north of $500,000.

A photographer who loves to hang around Ferrari's hometown of Maranello has managed to snap the rarest of birds, what can very well turn out to be the first electric Ferrari.

Spotted testing on city streets around Ferrari's factory, the "EV Mulotipo" mule features huge fake exhausts and high voltage sign on the camouflage. The other hint that this is the first electric Ferrari are the specialized Pirelli EV tires, developed specifically for electric cars.

Ferrari is preparing to release its first EV in 2025 at a rather hefty $500,000 price meant to recoup its investment in the development of an all-electric powertrain.

For now, it seems to be testing electric propulsion on a Maserati Levante platform, just like it did when it was developing its first SUV, the Purosangue with its powerful V12 engine.

There is little doubt that Ferrari will be trying to make its first EV a powerhouse to be reckoned with, even in the world of crazy fast electric vehicles. The storied sports car company would give it the horsepower, acceleration oomph, and luxury touches its exclusive customers have come to expect from its legendary V12-powered rockets on wheels. They can also count on an "authentic" growl, despite the battery-powered drivetrain.

Breakneck acceleration and sports handling are somewhat easier to do with electric propulsion, too, but the final form factor and looks remain up in the air. The test mule here looks like a mashup of a really low sitting Levante with Roma roadster headlights and four fake exhaust pipes, so the finalized Ferrari EV will probably be far from that look.

There is an increased chance that it will be a crossover of sorts, given on which chassis it is being tested, though. Since it will be a niche product that analysts expect to be no more than 10% of the company's sales in the beginning, the Italian sports car maker could take a risk and make an electric SUV first, instead of going directly against the Tesla Roadster 2 types of this world.

Ferrari recently opened a new factory line where the EV will reportedly be assembled, along with its first hybrid, as well as gas-powered models. Even with those two new powertrains, it isn't expected to make more than 20,000 vehicles annually, up from about 14,000 now, somewhat explaining the exorbitant price the first Ferrari EV is slated to appear at.

Daniel Zlatev