Smooth Sailing: BMW's 49-Foot Electric Yacht - Where Luxury Meets Waves
Ahoy there, landlubbers and tech enthusiasts alike! BMW has just unleashed their latest aquatic marvel, a 49-foot electric foiling yacht that's as flashy as a convertible on water. Brace yourselves, as we set sail into the uncharted waters of sustainable luxury.
I recently caught wind of BMW's grand unveiling of their latest nautical creation, the 49-foot "Open." Now, if you're wondering why a car company is suddenly trying to outdo Captain Jack Sparrow, you're not alone. But as it turns out, BMW and Tyde have teamed up to prove that size does matter in the world of electric foiling yachts.
The Open, christened with a name as breezy as its open cockpit, is the larger, more opulent successor to the 43-foot Icon that made waves at the Cannes Film Festival. According to BMW, this bad boy is the largest luxury foiling yacht for private owners. I guess they heard someone whisper, "Make it bigger," and, well, they certainly did.
"Why is BMW, the carmaker, diving into the sea of boats?" you may wanna ask. Apparently, they're determined to show us that sustainable mobility on the water can be as elegant and luxurious as a night out in a Beemer. Christoph Ballin, Tyde's co-founder, claims that with the Icon, they showcased the aquatic elegance, and with the Open, they're unleashing it on a whole new level.
BMW's Designworks studio, the brains behind this oceanic spectacle, outfitted the Open with hydrofoils borrowed from racing yachts. These fancy foils supposedly slash energy consumption by a whopping 80 percent, making you wonder why we don't have these on every bathtub boat at the lake. The result? The Open glides over the water with the grace of a prima ballerina, leaving behind minimal drag, wake, and emissions. It's like the environmentalist's dreamboat.
The Open isn't just a floating technological marvel though; it's also a showcase of BMW's automotive prowess. Taking a cue from their electric car endeavors, the yacht incorporates innovations developed for their four-wheeled counterparts. I can already picture the boat boasting about its electric powertrain at the marina, trying to one-up the Teslas parked on the pier.
As for the need for speed, the designers remained tight-lipped about the Open's velocity. However, its predecessor, the Icon, boasted a top speed of 30 knots, a cruising speed of 24 knots, and a range of over 50 nautical miles on a single charge. Not too shabby for a boat that looks like it came straight out of a sci-fi film. Although, it can’t really hold up a candle to a… well, Cande.
Stefan Ponikva, BMW's VP of brand communication, chimed in, saying, "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." Translation: They want us to experience the sheer thrill of saving the planet while cruising at sea.
And speaking of cruising, the Open is now available for orders. Production is set to commence soon, and you can expect your luxury yacht to be delivered in the fall of 2024. It's like Amazon Prime for the high seas.
What can I say - the Open is not just a yacht; it's a floating testament to BMW's commitment to sustainable luxury. So, if you've ever dreamt of being a seafaring eco-warrior in a vessel that's part spaceship, part luxury suite, the Open might just be your ticket to a greener, grander adventure on the open water.
