Mole Luce

The Mole Luce is a one-off electric grand tourer conceived by Umberto Palermo and presented under the Mole Costruzione Artigianale marque in 2016. Introduced at the Salone dell’Auto di Torino, the vehicle reflects a convergence of artisanal coachbuilding and contemporary electric propulsion, situated within the broader tradition of Italian bespoke automotive design. It is not the product of mass production, nor was it intended for commercial rollout. Rather, the Luce represents a formal and technical exercise—an interpretation of classical GT proportions reimagined for the electric era. Built upon the chassis of the Tesla Roadster, the vehicle retains the donor platform’s electric powertrain. This includes dual motors generating a combined output of approximately 288 horsepower and 370 Newton-meters of torque, configured for all-wheel drive. The bodywork, executed in expanded PVC over an aluminum monocoque, achieves a total mass of 1,200 kilograms. This configuration permits a theoretical range of 340 kilometers under ideal conditions, aligning the car with long-distance touring expectations while reflecting Palermo’s broader design emphasis on efficiency through lightness. The exterior form adopts a sculptural idiom, with particular attention to visual continuity and restraint. It is devoid of a traditional front grille and lacks a rear window, the latter decision enhancing the vehicle’s monolithic rear treatment. Dimensions—455 centimeters in length, 196 in width, and 124 in height—establish a stance consistent with historic GT templates. The absence of rearward visibility is mitigated by auxiliary camera systems, integrated into the bodywork with minimal intrusion. Interior documentation is limited, though Palermo’s previous work suggests a preference for minimal interfaces and material authenticity. It is presumed that the Luce employs a bespoke interior configuration with attention to both ergonomics and spatial coherence. Only one example of the Mole Luce was produced. No public chassis number is documented, and its ownership has not been formally disclosed, though the vehicle has appeared in controlled exhibition contexts under the custody of Palermo’s atelier. The Mole Luce remains an emblem of experimental electric formalism, executed within a tradition that privileges proportion, craft, and conceptual clarity over commercial imperative. It stands apart as an isolated gesture in the evolving lexicon of electric automotive design.