BMW Just Unveiled a New 49-Foot Electric Foiling Yacht That Glides Over the Water
BMW and Tyde may have just proved bigger equals better.
The German marque and boatmaker have teamed up to create a larger, more lavish successor to the electric foiling yacht they debuted at the 76th Cannes Film Festival in May. The new 49-foot Open has a good six feet on the previous 43-foot Icon. In fact, BMW claims the newcomer is the largest luxury foiling yacht for private owners.
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“With the Icon, we have shown how elegant and luxurious sustainable mobility on the water can be,” Christoph Ballin, cofounder and managing director of Tyde, said in a statement. “The continuation of the cooperation with BMW is now fueling the launch into another segment.”
Once again penned by the folks at BMW’s Designworks studio, Open is equipped with hydrofoils adapted from racing yachts that significantly reduce energy consumption. Indeed, the setup saves almost 80 percent of energy, according to the design team. Essentially, the foils allow the vessel to glide over the water with minimal drag, wake, and emissions.
As you might expect, the yacht features radical innovations developed by BMW for the automotive sector. The marque is again contributing components and expertise from the field of electromobility. The designers didn’t give any figures regarding Open’s speed or range, but Icon has a top speed of 30 knots, a cruising speed of 24 knots, and a range of more than 50 nautical miles on a single charge.
“Our aim is to use pioneering design and intelligent technology transfer from the automotive sector to provide additional impetus for the BMW-typical joy of sustainable mobility,” adds Stefan Ponikva, vice president of brand communication and brand experience for BMW.
As its moniker implies, Open features a breezy open cockpit that connects guests with the sea. It offers “all the amenities of a luxury day yacht,” according to the team. The futuristic exterior is balanced by a classic interior. Light streams in from both the top and sides, ensuring the salon is bright and airy. If you’re wondering what it’s like to ride on a high-speed foiling yacht, you can read about it here.
Open is now available to order, with production set to start later this month. The first examples will be delivered in the fall of 2024.
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