Jony Ive Designed Ferrari Luce EV Interior

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Physical Controls vs Touchscreens

  • Many welcome the return of physical buttons and knobs, seeing it as a correction to “everything is an iPad” interiors.
  • Others say there still aren’t enough buttons, and criticize specifics: hazard light button should be prominent and red; climate should use sliders/knobs for fast, spatially consistent control.
  • Clear preference for screens as output and physical controls as input; voice is seen as secondary only, with accent/language issues making it unreliable.
  • Cold-climate drivers complain touch-only interfaces don’t work with gloves; several suggest carmakers know this but push screens for cost savings and subscription upsell.

Aesthetic and “Apple” Design Language

  • Many describe the interior as “very iPhone/Nest/squircle,” with chamfers, glass, and rounded rectangles dominating.
  • Some like the polished, sci‑fi / Alien‑universe look and the integration of analog-feeling elements (needles, clock) with OLED displays.
  • Others find the digital analog clock and OLED “fake gauges” gimmicky or cheap, likening the whole thing to an AI mashup of “Ferrari + Jony Ive.”
  • Debate over whether the design is obviously by the same person behind Apple products; some say unmistakable, others say they’d never have guessed.

Coherence and Brand Identity

  • Several commenters like individual pieces (round OLED gauges with physical needles, console switches) but think the components don’t harmonize, evoking a semi‑truck, police car, or sim‑racing rig.
  • Strong criticism that the interior feels like generic consumer electronics or a Kia/Mini SUV rather than something distinctly Ferrari.
  • Some argue Ferrari’s own design language has been inconsistent for years, so this may be a deliberate “modern EV Ferrari” look rather than a betrayal of tradition.
  • The very idea of a Ferrari EV is noted as symbolically huge; some see this interior as aimed more at affluent newcomers than at traditional enthusiasts.

Usability, Ergonomics, and UX Details

  • Steering wheel design is heavily criticized: looks “budget,” overloads prime button positions with rarely used functions, and removes intuitive stalks.
  • Opinions on key “docking” split between clunky regression and deliberate, experiential ritual with some security benefits.
  • HUDs are widely praised for safety and reduced distraction, though polarized sunglasses can make them hard to see.