Electric yacht “The Icon”: BMW’s luxury floating saloon

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A crazy idea from the design team of international BMW subsidiary Designworks or a serious alternative to sustainable and privileged movement on water? At the 76th Cannes Film Festival, Bavarian automaker BMW is unveiling the electric boat “The Icon”, a glass panorama saloon atop an elegant ship’s hull.

As only smaller, less powerful and short-range electric boats have floated in our waters so far, BMW is taking the opportunity to combine modern design with innovative technology. “Icon” aims to give a promising preview of electromobility in watercraft.

stunning on the water

BMW has supported the American team for years in America’s Cup, the oldest sailing race. But instead of sailing know-how, this time BMW used its skills in electromobility and the art of design for a joint development with German boat builder Tyde on the luxury yacht “The Icon”.

On the French Riviera, the unconventional design of the wave hall is already causing a stir in the harbor. The large window areas and the panoramic roof not only flood the interior with light, but also reflect radiantly onto the water surface. The triangular basic shape ensures that the back area is 4.50 meters wide.

floating luxury

The bright interior features custom furniture made of sheet metal and a high-quality soft carpet. While the seats can be rotated 360 degrees as desired, the functions of the boat are controlled by the tablet infotainment system.

The electric yacht offers real BMW genes in the central helm station: instead of familiar nautical instruments, the 32-inch touchscreen cockpit and iDrive are reminiscent of one from a BMW. No wonder: the presentation of the floating icon was accompanied by the European launch of the BMW i7 M70.

BMW power that makes the difference

The luxury yacht is powered by two 136 hp (100 kW) electric motors powered by the battery packs of the BMW i3, which has since been discontinued. The 240 kilowatt-hour battery provides not only a range of 50 nautical miles (almost 100 kilometers), but also a cruising speed of 24 knots (approximately 44 km/h).

At higher speeds, the 13-metre electric yacht rises out of the water like a hydrofoil. With a maximum speed of 30 knots (55 km/h), the «Icon» glides almost silently and without waves over the surface. Underwater wings reduce energy needs by up to 80 percent compared to a conventional fuselage.

Unlike other collaborations between car manufacturers and boat builders, “Icon” is not a design study but a platform model that can be variably adapted to customers’ specific wishes. For 2024, two more high-end electric yachts will be built by Tyde and BMW. It is unknown what this luxury for water should cost.

Source: Blick