When Will Ferrari and Maserati Arrive? ... The Era of 'Electric Supercars' Falling Behind

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] As the global automotive market accelerates its transition to electric vehicles, electric supercars from certain automakers such as Ferrari, Maserati, Bentley, and Lamborghini are expected to debut only after 2025. Each company is contemplating ways to maintain their brand’s distinctive design while incorporating batteries into electric vehicles.

According to major foreign media on the 20th (local time), the first fully electric vehicles from Ferrari, Maserati, Bentley, Lamborghini, and McLaren are anticipated to appear only after 2025. Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Audi already released electric models last year, but they are expected to launch fully electric models just before the UK’s 2030 ban on internal combustion engine vehicle sales.

Although the global automotive market is pouring investments into electric vehicles, the commonality among companies delaying their first electric vehicle launch schedules is that they primarily focus on supercars. While accepting the overall trend toward electrification and recently announcing successive investments, these companies emphasize the importance of not compromising brand value, including design, and are taking a cautious approach rather than rushing.

Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Lamborghini, said in an interview with Business Insider last month that Lamborghini customers love the large, powerful characteristics and the grand sound of V10 and V12 engines, as well as the aggressive style and upward-opening doors. He added that although they must transition due to environmental regulations, they will not give up the DNA of powerful combustion engines.

These remarks also highlight the design challenges faced by these companies in creating electric supercars. Unlike internal combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicles typically place the battery stack on the vehicle’s floor, which means the cabin must sit above the battery, causing the car to stand more vertically, according to foreign media. To address this, supercar manufacturers are developing various design solutions, the media added.

Marek Jorzebiewicz, an automotive designer with experience at Rolls-Royce, said, "Designing a car is like writing a novel. Every brand has a unique story, and that story is conveyed through the car. To succeed, each car must embody that story." Volvo, Fiat, Audi, and Ford were cited as successful examples of maintaining their brand’s unique design while launching electric vehicles.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.