In 2023, under the dazzling stars of the Cannes Film Festival, BMW, as one of the proud sponsors, joined hands with Tyde, a start-up in the yachting industry, to reveal their common masterpiece - "THE ICON" to the world
Hydrofoil electric luxury yacht. This is not only the first cross-border cooperation between the two companies, but also the first step towards a revolutionary future for the yachting industry.
In the business world, every company aspires to shine on the stage of the market, capturing the crowd with well-planned marketing tactics and claiming that they are the best at whatever they do. However, over-advertising or selling a product by setting too high expectations can obscure the truth of the matter. That's probably what happened to "THE ICON".
Hailed as revolutionary, futuristic, ultra-stylish, and luxurious, the all-electric "flying" yacht is being auctioned on the luxury auction platform recently launched by supercar Blondie. The fact that Tyde has decided to put it up for auction makes one wonder: even after that sensational debut and the rave reviews of countless popular influencers, it still hasn't been able to find a buyer.
The auction will begin on May 8 and the luxury electric yacht will be sold in Dubai. Earlier this year, the yacht was also auctioned and test-driven in Dubai. But there is no mention of the reserve price, nor is there any mention of the price that may be sold as other auction platforms do.
Renderings
There is no doubt that the unique design of "THE ICON" deserves praise. It's based on a flat-hull trimaran with a prismatic superstructure, which makes it look unlike anything else you'd see on the water right now, which is very different. The interiors are equally stunning, with swivel seats complementing the ornate glass lounge for an unrivalled touch of taste and style. The design of the command center is cleverly inspired by BMW's iDrive operating system, and is equipped with a 32-inch 6K resolution high-definition touchscreen display, as if integrating the power of technology into every inch of space.
SEAMLESSLY CONNECTED TO BMW'S OPERATING SYSTEM 8, "THE ICON" DISPLAYS GPS, WEATHER REPORTS, BATTERY STATE OF CHARGE (SOC), SPEED AND RANGE IN REAL-TIME, ALL WITH SIMPLE VOICE COMMANDS. To complement the high-tech visuals and create a more immersive experience, BMW and Tyde teamed up to bring in two-time Oscar winner Hans Zimmer to provide voice support for the Dolby Atmos immersive sound system.
However, "THE ICON" is more than just a yacht, it is a floating lounge that exudes unparalleled luxury and taste. But as some observers have pointed out, it seems to sacrifice practicality to a certain extent while pursuing style. Regrettably, the 43-foot (13.15-meter) luxury yacht does not appear to be equipped with a bathroom, which is undoubtedly a sad oversight. While pursuing the ultimate style, we also hope to pay more attention to the balance between functionality and practicality, so that "THE ICON" can truly become a flawless masterpiece.
As for the fact that it is a flying yacht, of course it does not really fly. "THE ICON" is an all-electric hydrofoil yacht, which means that once a certain speed is reached, it rises above the hydrofoils, reducing friction for a smoother, more comfortable voyage and increased efficiency. This allows it to reach a maximum speed of 27 knots (31 mph / 50 km/h) with minimal roll.
It is powered by two 100-kilowatt electric engines, along with six BMW i3 batteries, and has a range of just 50 nautical miles (57.5 miles / 92.6 km) at a cruising speed of 24 knots. Both the estimated range and top speed are below the originally advertised figures of 54 nautical miles (62 miles / 100 km) and 30 knots (35 miles / 56 km/h).
These differences are not significant, but they are especially crucial on a $2.6 million yacht that aspires to "disrupt the world of luxury leisure" and vows to "revolutionize the world".
Tyde's initial statement stated that as the technology matures, the yacht can be retrofitted with better batteries, with each unit being customisable. This yacht is not a simple prototype, but the first presentation unit to be presented to the market, with a gold and teal exterior that perfectly complements the interior.
It is worth mentioning that "THE ICON" won the Wallpaper* Smart Space Award 2023 last year, becoming the first leader in the yachting industry to receive this award. In addition, it has won the 2023 "Shipbuilder Awards - Innovative Solution Award", which is undoubtedly a high recognition of its unique and innovative design.
Soon after, BMW and Tyde joined forces again to unveil an even more spectacular yacht "THE OPEN" (see photo below).
This yacht
AT 14.7 METERS (48 FEET) LONG, IT IS 5 FEET LONGER THAN THE PREVIOUS "THE ICON" AT 43 FEET. BMW is proud to claim that this yacht is the world's largest private electric luxury yacht using hydrofoil technology.
The design concept of "THE OPEN" is to connect guests to the sea, and through the breezy open cockpit, guests can enjoy the embrace of the ocean to the fullest. Inside, the yacht features a unique prismatic cabin design with spacious sleeping areas, large TV screens, functional work desks, ample storage space and well-appointed bathrooms that exude the luxury and convenience of a luxury yacht.
The new day luxury yacht design, which was unveiled last year, is now open for booking, with the first yachts expected to be delivered in autumn 2024. How does it perform with its combination of form and function? Let's wait and see how it will set off a new wave in the luxury yacht market in the future.