BMW and Tyde unveil fast electric boat in Cannes
BMW and boat manufacturer Tyde have unveiled a groundbreaking electric boat in Cannes. Dubbed The Icon, this watercraft represents a “new kind of flagbearer,” according to BMW, when it comes to zero-emission vessels.
The company also called the boat a trailblazer for a “new breed of watercraft” which “redefines the relationship between the dimensions, top speed, and range,” said BMW. The performance data sure is impressive.
‘The Icon’ measures 13.15 meters and comes equipped with two 100 kW electric motors for a top speed of 30 knots (55 km/h) and an operating speed of 24 knots. Six BMW i3 batteries, totaling 240 kWh, allow for a range of over 50 nautical miles (approximately 100 km), according to BMW. The inclusion of underwater foils, known as hydrofoils, significantly reduces the vehicle’s energy consumption by up to 80 percent, so BMW. Hydrofoils are also being applied by the Swedish electric boat specialists from Candela, however, powered by Polestar batteries.
As for ‘The Icon,’ BMW i batteries have powered electric boats before, only those built by Torqeedo.
For the new boat, BMW claims it came up with the idea for the cooperation ahead of the 76th film festival in Cannes. Realized by Tyde, the boat launch is accompanied by an exclusive soundtrack by award-winning film score composer Hans Zimmer. What is more, BMW emphasizes that the watercraft revealed in Cannes is not a design study or concept but instead a fully production-ready example. The company sees private and commercial uses but has not disclosed any further information on sales channels or pricing.
Responsible for the design of ‘The Icon’ was Designworks, a BMW Group subsidiary with studios in Los Angeles, Munich, and Shanghai.
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