$95K Tesla Model S vs The $640K Ferrari Luce: Surprisingly Close. Green Checks In This Chart Are Mostly on Tesla's Side

To be clear, the comparison isn't exactly apples to apples. For starters, the Tesla is a lot cheaper, starting around $95K, whereas Ferrari is planning to start the Luce at around $640,000. 

That, obviously, is a huge difference.

The Luce, like all Ferraris, will likely be produced in small numbers -- Ferrari keeps production small for the sake of exclusivity. The Tesla Model S, however, is built in greater numbers.

So, OK, the comparison isn't perfect. But it's fun to look at it.

Torque News Shows How The Two Cars Stack Up

Let's take a look at the numbers. First, power. This is one area where the Ferrari wins the head-to-head numbers matchup -- the Luce has 1,050 horsepower and the Model S is just a tick below at 1,020 horsepower. It also has four electric motors to Tesla's three.

The Luce also offers more battery capacity, with 122 kWh to about 100.

Where the Tesla strikes back is with the coefficient of drag -- it's a bit lower for the Model S. The Tesla also weighs less.

Ferrari's new EV gets the advantage back in terms of battery capacity, it's 350 kW to 250 kW. But the Tesla is a few ticks faster to 60 from a standing start -- 1.99 seconds to 2.4 seconds. It also has a longer maximum range. The Tesla is marked for 348 miles and the Ferrari for about 280 miles.

Tesla also offered full-self driving and the Ferrari doesn't, though I'd point out the Tesla system isn't quite as autonomous as the automaker says it is.

Both cars will sell to well-heeled buyers. Not only will the Tesla be within range of more potential buyers due to its much-lower price, but it beats the much-more expensive Ferrari in a few key categories.

Torque News' Take On The Ferrari Luce

It seems that every automotive journalist, analyst, and pundit has an opinion on the new Ferrari Luce, and few are positive.

I'll give you mine, based on photos -- I haven't seen the car in person yet.

I don't find the Luce to be ugly. It's not a bad-looking vehicle. What does bother me is that doesn't look like a Ferrari. In fact, if you showed me the car without telling me what brand produced it, I would've guessed it a Nissan or Kia or Honda.

I would've found it to be fair-looking vehicle -- again, it's far from ugly. But it doesn't draw from Ferrari's heritage or have the look of unbridled passion that other Ferraris have

To be fair, the interior is more historically Ferrari. But the car otherwise doesn't stand out. Ferraris are meant to turn heads, and this one won't, aside from the novelty factor.

Even the Tesla, which has looked for or less the same since its 2012 debut, has sleeker styling.

That might make a difference when it comes to car shopping, since the Ferrari will cost more than a home and Tesla won't.

I never expected Ferrari to sell a ton of these cars -- again, this is a brand built on exclusivity. But that worries me, too. Ferrari executives will, of course, consider the car a success if they move a few hundred units. They may take the wrong message away from that -- some people will buy this car because it has the Ferrari name. Others will be buy it simply because they like to buy Ferraris. Some will buy it and hope it stays rare, so they can collect on the high resale value later. Some will buy it to be unique.

And each sale will make Ferrari think the car is popular.

Meanwhile, Tesla will sell the Model s in droves because its so much cheaper than the Luce -- much more affordable for the masses. And Tesla drivers will have bragging rights over the Luce buyers.

I have no problem with Ferrari building an electric vehicle. Also, in a vacuum, I have no issue with car's styling. But it looks too generic. I need true Ferrari swoopy styling, not a wedge that won't stick out on a busy Sunset Blvd.

And while there's no way to direct cars priced about $500K apart, the Tesla is popular enough, has similar performance, and offers enough features to keep drivers happy.

Ferrari had a chance to make history with its first EV -- and instead, it's produced a car that struggles to even compete with the relative bargain Tesla.