$40 Million: This Is the World's Most Expensive New Car Ever Sold at Auction

The first production Ferrari Luce has made auction history, selling for $40 million at the RM Sotheby's Monterey auction and becoming the most expensive new car ever sold at auction.

Ferrari Luce. Photo: Ferrari

The Ferrari Luce was originally estimated at $1.1 million , making its final price more than 36 times the estimate. The car was offered for charity, with all proceeds going towards educational initiatives through the Ferrari Foundation.

Ferrari Luce. Photo: Ferrari

Known as "Chassis 0," the vehicle is the first production example of Ferrari's debut electric car and carries a plaque confirming its status. It was commissioned through Ferrari's Tailor Made program, allowing the one-off example to receive an especially distinctive specification.

The Luce was designed under the direction of Sir Jony Ive, the former Apple design chief, and combines the performance expected from Ferrari with the practicality of an SUV.

Ferrari Luce. Photo: Ferrari

Power comes from four electric motors, with two mounted on each axle, producing a combined 1,036 brake horsepower.

A Ferrari Unlike Any Other

The Luce introduces a design language that differs sharply from previous Ferrari models. Among its most distinctive features are a flying-bridge C-pillar, rear-hinged rear doors and exceptionally clean body surfacing with few visible shut lines.

Ferrari Luce. Photo: Ferrari

The electric Ferrari is also the first series-production Ferrari to use a separate subframe.

Inside, Ferrari has taken a similarly restrained approach. The three-spoke steering wheel references the marque's classic designs, while physical controls are favored over touchscreen-heavy interfaces.

The auction car is finished in Madreperla Semi-Gloss, an exclusive paint developed specifically for this example. The pearlescent finish changes from green to violet depending on the viewing angle and intensity of the light.

The cabin features metallic Le Mans leather in Perla combined with Grigio Corvara trim rather than traditional black. The wheels and brake calipers are finished in matching white, giving the unique Ferrari an appearance tailored specifically to its status as Chassis 0.

The $40 million result places the Luce in a remarkable position in automotive auction history, while also giving Ferrari's first production electric car an extraordinary debut.