MARANELLO, Italy – Ferrari has unveiled the technology which will power its hotly anticipated first electric car, the Elettrica, as the 78-year-old luxury Italian sportscar maker looks to add battery power to its hybrid and petrol-engine models.

In a closely guarded event at its Maranello headquarters, a Ferrari-red cover was pulled back on a stage to reveal the Elettrica’s production-ready chassis: a car base, with battery pack and electric motor, though with no wheels or outer shell.

The completed car, which Ferrari is expected to present in 2026 at a global premiere, will have a top speed of 310kmh – slightly slower than most of its engined models and a range of at least 530km.

The four-door, four-plus seat car will have a specially designed sound system to amplify actual vibrations from its powertrain to create a distinctly electric Ferrari sound, rather than just faking engine noise.

The unveiling of the inner workings of Ferrari’s maiden electric car marks a milestone for the auto industry that is grappling more widely with a shift from the internal combustion engine to the electric battery.

“Today... is an historic day for us. We all have goosebumps,” said chief executive officer Benedetto Vigna, who said the electric car would complement, not replace, the company’s existing models. “The EV (electric vehicle) is an addition, not a transition.”

Like other high-performance brands, Ferrari has been cautious about electrification.

Reuters reported in June that Ferrari had delayed a second EV model until 2028 because of a lack of demand. Rival Lamborghini, part of Volkswagen, has delayed its first EV until 2029, saying the market is not ready.

Luxury automaker Porsche forged ahead with EVs, but has been caught between a crowded Chinese market and Western buyers who still want Porsche’s loud combustion engines. Delays to its EV roll-out have hit parent Volkswagen.

Ferrari is aiming to have 20 per cent of its model line-up fully-elec...