Ferrari's first ever electric car sold for record $40m at auction

Ferrari's first ever all-electric car has fetched $40m (£29.5m) in a charity sale, setting a record for a new car sold at auction.

The Sotheby's auction in California raised more than 35 times the usual price of a Ferrari Luce. The auction catalogue said it is a special model featuring a unique finish and bespoke parts.

The Luce, the brainchild of iPhone designer Sir Jony Ive , faced a backlash when it was launched in May after some commentators said it had strayed from the marque's traditional designs and lost part of the brand's identity by being battery-powered and having five seats.

Sotheby's said all proceeds of the sale will be donated to the Ferrari Foundation's educational programmes.

Sotheby's did not name the buyer of the custom Luce. The BBC has contacted the auction house and Ferrari for more information.

The unveiling of the Luce was seen as one of the biggest launches of a new car in recent years.

It marked the prancing horse's first entry into the electric vehicle (EV) market - a sector dominated by Elon Musk's Tesla and China's carmakers .

Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Pope Leo were invited to view the luxury brand's the vehicle.