The Icon is a revolutionary 13.5-meter (44 feet) foiling boat that has been developed in collaboration by automaker BMW and German tech start-up TYDE. The first model, which was created as a showboat and was produced in Europe, had its debut at the Cannes Film Festival.
With a top speed of 30 knots (55 kph/34 mph), the battery-powered model has a pretty good range of more than 50 nautical miles (57 miles/93 km). Hydrofoils attempt to improve efficiency by up to 80% when compared to a conventional hull, contributing to faster speeds and increased comfort while underway.
A flat trimaran-style hull with a “prism-like” form and a central support for the superstructure define the boat’s design. Strips of LED lights enhance the sea-inspired two-tone exterior and highlight the boat’s appearance at night. Glass panels on either side of the cabin encourage a constant connection to the ocean. This philosophy is carried over to the 4.5-meter (15 feet) swim deck on the back, which forms an “exceptionally spacious” entrance to the cabin.
The yacht’s interior boasts good head heights because of its “origami” design, which enables seated guests to stand straight across the cabin. The interior is divided into two lounge spaces and a helm station developed by BMW. The helm station has rotating helm chairs that enable it to serve both as a part of the social area and independently. A 32-inch touch digital control unit with 6K resolution that has been created to appear and feel like the BMW iDrive operating system is located in the center of the driver’s station. The same system also includes voice control. Each piece of furniture is constructed of grainy metal that reflects sunlight throughout the cabin like waves on the water, according to a news release from TYDE.
Two-time Academy Award winner Hans Zimmer created the soundtrack for the boat’s onboard entertainment system as an additional peculiarity. The Dolby Atmos sound system that was installed in The Icon’s interior allows passengers to hear the drive system sound notes and intended function tones, which together create “a modern driving soundtrack.”
The electric boat is now on show at Cannes, and according to BMW, it is a production-ready vessel that can be used for both personal and professional purposes. The platform of the boat enables modular versatility to meet unique design needs and desires, according to BMW Group.
