bmw foil yacht

Learn more about BMW models, products and services:

Choose a different country

• Algeria Angola Egypt Ghana Ivory Coast Libya Mauritius Morocco Nigeria Senegal South Africa Tunisia
• Abu Dhabi Australia Bahrain Bangladesh Brunei Cambodia China Dubai (UAE) India Indonesia Iraq Israel Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Korea Kuwait Laos Lebanon Malaysia Middle East Mongolia Myanmar Nepal New Zealand Oman Pakistan Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Singapore Sri Lanka Thailand Turkey Uzbekistan Vietnam Yemen
• Albania Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Guadeloupe Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Malta Martinique Moldova Netherlands New Caledonia Norway Poland Portugal Reunion Romania Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Ukraine United Kingdom
• Argentina Aruba & Curacao Bahamas Barbados Bolivia Brazil Canada Cayman Islands Chile Colombia Costa Rica Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador Guam Guatemala Haiti Honduras Jamaica Mexico Panama Paraguay Peru St. Lucia Suriname Trinidad and Tobago USA Uruguay

THE ICON – innovative tides

17 May 2023

Always stay up to date

Innovative mobility, exciting trends for the future and high RPMs: Subscribe now to get notified of new content.

Subscription successful .

Subscription  failed . If you need help follow the  link  for support.

An ocean of ideas: This is particularly true of automotive engineering when it comes to developing a new model, a new platform or the new direction of the brand, as with the Neue Klasse from BMW. The goal? To think outside the box, but with a firm trajectory in mind. For example, the BMW i7 (➜ Read more: The BMW i7 – a new perspective ) recently reinterpreted the notion of luxury: sustainably innovative.

But what if you could transfer this luxurious, yet emission-free form of transport from the road to a new element – let’s say, to the water as we mentioned at the beginning? BMW, together with world-leading experts and boat builder TYDE, has dared to do just that with THE ICON. And besides batteries, it has contributed its technical expertise for the construction of a completely new watercraft.

Just as the tides are created by the interaction of the earth and the moon, the interplay of two factors was crucial in this shared vision: a focus on innovation and the joy of sustainable mobility.

Because, as Peter Dengler, head of THE ICON project, points out, this can be made possible in all segments. “Mobility on water is nearly ten times more energy-intensive than mobility on land. In the meantime, however, professional sailing has come up with solutions for substantially saving energy, paving the way for climate-friendly solutions. The decarbonization of mobility is already taking place in some areas. In other areas, however, there has not yet been innovation, so decarbonization has not even begun. There is currently no equivalent of luxury electric vehicles like the BMW i7 M70 offered on the water.”

He saw an extraordinary fascination in that visionary triad of sustainability, luxury and conscious pleasure: “Our team was particularly driven by the idea of creating the magical combination of innovation, digitalization and the relationship between people and technology, but most importantly, an incomparable zero-emission experience for the water.” What does the new mobility on the water look like? “The same characteristics found in BMW luxury vehicles like the BMW i7 M70 will be key in this element too: maximum sustainability combined with design, innovation and a unique driving experience.”

from sailing

The team broke free from the shackles of established development and design conventions right from the start. They deliberately set out not to design a boat, but rather create their own experience on the water. BMW has had trailblazing experience and long-standing involvement in sailing sports such as the premier class America’s Cup, the Formula 1 equivalent of boat racing.

A team of engineers built the first bridge between nautical technology and the most advanced electric mobility. Leading experts from all over the world were brought on board for this – including Guillaume Verdier, the world’s leading designer of the fastest and most efficient sailboats and responsible for the hull and hydrofoil of the last winning boat in the America’s Cup.

and the technical milestones

TYDE , a new, progressive lifestyle tech company and provider of experiences for luxury mobility at sea, was also at the rudder of this intelligent transfer of technology and expertise in the development of THE ICON. Dr. Christoph Ballin, the longstanding CEO of electric mobility pioneer Torqeedo, was instrumental in making electric mobility on the water fit for everyday use. Tobias Hoffritz is already a long-standing partner of BMW for technology and innovation projects with his company Second Sphere.

Developing the first maritime luxury electric vehicle has been an exciting journey for both: “THE ICON has a wealth of groundbreaking innovations on board that are suitable for anchoring climate-friendly mobility in the high-end segment as well. The yacht is available as a series product, and the technology platform developed means the model range can easily be expanded.”

delivers up to 80-percent energy saving

Foiling, a technology that delivers up to 80-percent energy saving, is a pioneering technical development that supports the sustainability goals of the new watercraft. This means BMW i batteries (➜ Read more: the material cycle of a battery cell ) can be used as a power source. How does that work? Foils consist of a stabilizing fin and two wings. They act like underwater wings that allow the watercraft to literally hover over the water – enabling THE ICON to be electrified by the power of BMW batteries alone.

The upper-side curvature creates a negative pressure, generating buoyancy. Water resistance on the hull is no longer a factor. The craft is lifted out of the water, reducing the resistance to a minimum – the watercraft literally hovers over the water. Two propellers on the rear foil provide propulsion for THE ICON. It takes between 10 and 12 seconds from startup to hovering. Flying about one meter above the water, feeling no wave impact at all feels exactly the same as comfortably gliding in the rear of the BMW i7 (➜ Read more: Theater screen in the BMW i7 ) on the road.

between people and technology

Dengler and Hoffritz found the interface was much more advanced in cars than on yachts. As a result, all maritime controls and navigation displays were bundled into a single control interface. “The intuitive, integrated user interface, based on the BMW ID8 operating system and a touch-sensitive display, delivers an automotive standard in boating,” explains Dengler. This ensures that operation is intuitive and integrative and can also be controlled interactively via voice commands.

SUSTAINABILITY

For all the senses.

Because the interpretation of modern luxury embraces all the senses, the technical innovations in the development and design of this new mobility concept, both below and above water, go hand in hand with a design that impressively combines esthetics and function. Designworks (➜ Read more: 50 years of Designworks ), the BMW innovation studio, has already served as a creative partner on land in the design of the BMW i3 and BMW i8 and in the air with the electric wingsuit (➜ Read more: The making of the wingsuit with e-motor ).

Water was yet another element to provide an exciting challenge for the Designworks team led by Tom Allemeier and Tommy Forsgren. The BMW Group subsidiary has earned a reputation over 50 years for designing mobility concepts for tomorrow – from road to rail and water to air.

When designing THE ICON, the design team was not looking to design a boat, but a new experience on the water. “We have developed a new design approach for a watercraft that is not exposed to waves but flies over the water with the help of foils,” said Tom Allemeier, Director of Design at Designworks. “So instead of the conventional side of the ship, a ceiling-high panorama window forms the outer facade. The result for passengers inside is a whole new experience with an unobstructed view – a luxurious ‘Infinite Space View’. This makes the view across the deck seem endless, merging with the water and the horizon,” says Allemeier.  The architecture is supported by what is known as a center spline, an iconic strut that extends centrally from the stern over the roof to the bow. With so much technological innovation, the design process was also unorthodox.

There was a lot of digital technology involved. We were able to use VR glasses to experience the space and see how the perspectives worked before the built model was ready.

Lead Designer on the Munich-based Designworks team

The expressive design language on the exterior is also reflected in the interior. The materials used evoke the feel of an elegant salon, the design language of a modern luxury lounge. Each passenger takes a seat in their own swiveling chair, including their own infotainment interface. A high-end DOLBY ATMOS audio system is on board. The interior space is promoted into a living space.

for the future

Where else can this technology transfer lead? Dengler and Ballin are upbeat about the development of future maritime mobility: “Solutions developed as part of THE ICON project will be used for various vehicles and applications to follow in the wake of THE ICON: from advanced private luxury to premium commercial and public mobility. THE ICON and its successors will inspire zero-emission luxury mobility at sea and open a new segment for sustainable luxury yachts.”

Author: Markus Löblein; Art: Verena Aichinger, Lucas Lemuth, Ha My Le Thi; Photos & Video: BMW

ELECTROMOBILITY

More articles, an audio documentary about sustainability at bmw.

Sustainability and its best players

Luxury redefined

• Electromobility
• Sustainability

Official data on fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, electric consumption and electric range were determined in accordance with the mandatory measurement procedure and comply with Regulation (EU) 715/2007 valid at the time of type approval. In case of a range, figures in the WLTP take into account any optional equipment. For vehicles type-approved after 01.01.2021 only WLTP values officially exist. For more information on the WLTP measurement procedures, see  https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/topics/discover/efficientdynamics/bmw-emissions.html .

For more information on the official fuel consumption and official specific CO2 emissions of new passenger cars, see the 'Guide to Fuel Consumption, CO2 Emissions, and Electricity Consumption of New Passenger Cars', which is available free of charge at all sales outlets, from Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen, and at  https://www.dat.de/co2/ .

Our tool for managing your consent to our use of cookies is temporarily offline. For this reason, some functions that require your consent to the use of cookies may not be available.

Electric boats

• Electric Hydrofoil

This electric boat with a hydrofoil hull utilizes BMW EV batteries and has its own sound design

This year’s Cannes Film Festival saw a unique debut quite a ways away from the silver screen and out on the docks of Southern France. During the event, BMW Group Designworks and boat builder Tyde unveiled a new all-electric boat concept called The Icon. This electric hydrofoil is powered by BMW battery packs and represents a collaboration for the future of sustainability in the marine segment. Did we mention two-time Oscar winner Han Zimmer is involved too?

Designworks is a global creative design studio based in Southern California that has operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the BMW Group since the mid-1990s. With additional offices now in Munich and Singapore, the studio has contributed its talents to several notable BMW models and has been deeply involved in the development of the automaker’s all-electric i brand .

In addition to traditional material and model design, Designworks specializes in consulting and dreaming up future forms of mobility . Combined with its deep roots in a growing EV brand, it’s no wonder the team at BMW decided to collaborate with electric boat builder Tyde.

Tyde is a German yacht builder with a specific focus on delivering marine mobility that is not only zero emissions but also provides ultimate luxury and eye-catching design. This is ethos preached by BMW Group, so it’s of little surprise the two companies teamed up to develop the Icon electric boat. Check it out.

BMW uses its tech to help power unique electric boat

According to BMW, The Icon is an electric boat that emerged from an “in-depth sharing of knowledge” between BMW, Tyde, and Designworks. Measuring 43.14 feet in length with a top speed of 30 knots (34.5 mph), the hydrofoil hull design of the electric boat reduces the energy needed to cruise by up to 80%, compared with a conventional hull that drags a larger wake.

The foils also create a smoother ride for passengers as the vessel appears to float above the water. It may seem like magic, but there’s plenty going on below the surface to propel BMW’s new electric boat. The Icon is powered by two 100 kW electric motors that feed from 240 kWh of energy onboard, dispersed between six BMW i battery packs.

At its operating speed of 24 knots (27.6 mph), The Icon makes virtually no noise, thanks to its electric motors and the boat’s foils. Even with the optimization of cruising efficiency and all-electric power, BMW’s electric concept can currently only travel about 50 nautical miles (62 mi) at sea.

While it may not be the right vessel for long voyages, BMW, Designworks, and Tyde have created a unique electric boat that provides 360-degree views and an immersive audio experience. If you’re going to name your electric hydrofoil, The Icon, it better be iconic. To do so, BMW tapped longtime collaborator and no stranger to Cannes – composer Hans Zimmer.

The Hollywood legend’s drive system sound note and intentional function tones can be experienced through a Dolby Atmos sound system installed in the cabin of The Icon, combining pleasant, intuitive, and functional sounds with “a modern driving soundtrack.” BMW described some other features on the electric boat:

The angled glass doors of the watercraft open to a lounge area with artistically designed furniture on a luxurious carpet that creates a kaleidoscope effect. Constructed from sections of metal, the hull of the watercraft reflects sunlight onto the floor like waves on the sea. The user-focused experience centers around the 360° rotating seats. The essential features, including an easy-to-reach tablet-based infotainment system, are arranged within reach. With a simple twist, the seats can be re-positioned to encourage social interaction, making The Icon a perfect meeting hub that feels at home in any port or harbor.

The electric boat is currently on display at Cannes, and BMW explained that it is not merely a design concept but a production-ready vessel adaptable for both private and commercial use. BMW Group points out that the boat’s platform offers modular adaptability to individual design wishes and needs.

As if it wasn’t unique looking enough. There’s no shortage of affluence in the South of France, especially around Cannes each year, so perhaps BMW and Tyde can find a couple of buyers, and we will see more Icons at sea.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Scooter Doll is a writer, designer and tech enthusiast born in Chicago and based on the West Coast. When he’s not offering the latest tech how tos or insights, he’s probably watching Chicago sports. Please send any tips or suggestions, or dog photos to him at [email protected]

• Motorcycles
• Car of the Month
• Destinations
• Men’s Fashion
• Watch Collector
• Art & Collectibles
• Vacation Homes
• Celebrity Homes
• New Construction
• Home Design
• Electronics
• Fine Dining
• Aston Martin
• L’Atelier
• Les Marquables de Martell
• Reynolds Lake Oconee
• 672 Wine Club
• Sports & Leisure
• Health & Wellness
• Best of the Best
• The Ultimate Gift Guide

BMW Just Unveiled a New 49-Foot Electric Foiling Yacht That Glides Over the Water

The open is the largest luxury foiling yacht, according to the design team., rachel cormack.

Digital Editor

Rachel Cormack's Most Recent Stories

Royal huisman is building the world’s tallest sailing yacht.

• Gulfstream Is Finally Delivering the G700 Jet

The Interior of This Sleek New 89-Foot Yacht Got the Loro Piana Treatment

• Share This Article

BMW and Tyde may have just proved bigger equals better.

Related Stories

• Tesla Says It’s Working on New EVs After a Huge Drop in Profits
• This New 131-Foot ‘Mini-Megayacht’ Is Fronted by a Luxe Infinity Jacuzzi

Once again penned by the folks at BMW’s Designworks studio, Open is equipped with hydrofoils adapted from racing yachts that significantly reduce energy consumption. Indeed, the setup saves almost 80 percent of energy, according to the design team. Essentially, the foils allow the vessel to glide over the water with minimal drag, wake, and emissions.

As you might expect, the yacht features radical innovations developed by BMW for the automotive sector. The marque is again contributing components and expertise from the field of electromobility. The designers didn’t give any figures regarding Open’s speed or range, but Icon has a top speed of 30 knots, a cruising speed of 24 knots, and a range of more than 50 nautical miles on a single charge.

 “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,” adds Stefan Ponikva, vice president of brand communication and brand experience for BMW. 

As its moniker implies, Open features a breezy open cockpit that connects guests with the sea. It offers “all the amenities of a luxury day yacht,” according to the team. The futuristic exterior is balanced by a classic interior. Light streams in from both the top and sides, ensuring the salon is bright and airy. If you’re wondering what it’s like to ride on a high-speed foiling yacht, you can read about it  here .

Rachel Cormack is a digital editor at Robb Report. She cut her teeth writing for HuffPost, Concrete Playground, and several other online publications in Australia, before moving to New York at the…

Read More On:

• Electric Yacht

More Marine

The Sailing Yacht Masters at Nautor Swan Just Launched Their First Hybrid

This New 374-Foot Megayacht Has an Epic 66-Foot Hydraulic Swimming Pool

Culinary Masters 2024

MAY 17 - 19 Join us for extraordinary meals from the nation’s brightest culinary minds.

Give the Gift of Luxury

Latest Galleries in Marine

Wally WHY200 in Photos

Project Arwen Superyacht in Photos

More from our brands, smcp details turnaround plan as q1 sales fall 5.8%, get ready for the ai-ified olympic games, wondery u.k. taps spotify’s chris baughen for head of podcasts, the first malta biennale draws visitors to a surreal fortress, the best yoga mats for any practice, according to instructors.

• Subscribe Now
• Digital Editions

Tyde Open first look: World’s largest foiling motor yacht to launch in 2024

• Electric boats
• Top stories

German start-up Tyde has just released teaser renderings of its next BMW design collaboration, an e-foiling weekender called simply The Open...

Billed as the world’s largest foiling motor yacht, this open-walkaround model measures 14.7m (48ft 3in) overall, has a maximum beam of 4.5m (14ft 9in) and has a potential top speed of 30 knots.

Said to be aimed at private owners interested in the very latest in sustainable boating technology, the Open is based on Tyde’s first extraordinary prototype, the 13m (43ft) LOA Tyde Icon , a foiling glass lounge that first came to public attention during the Cannes Film Festival in June , but got her boat show debut four months later in September at the Cannes Yachting Festival .

Both the Icon and the Open were developed in association with automotive giant BMW and its industrial design studio spin-off Designworks.

The Open has a square-stem with razor-sharp-entry around the displacement waterline but flattens out considerably aft.

Above the at-rest waterline, the bow flares to a raked-forward chisel that conceals a fold-out anchor system and maximises usable space forward above and below deck.

Recommended videos for you

Article continues below…

Tyde Icon sea trial review: Is BMW’s €2m electric flying boat brilliant or bonkers?

Best hydrofoil boats: 6 of the most spectacular foiling motorboats money can buy.

There’s bench seating space forward of the two-seat helm position, which is nicely protected by an angular wraparound windshield and a substantial buttress-supported hardtop that not only shades two-thirds of the open deck area, but also will be completely covered in photovoltaic cells.

The back half of the cockpit is fully in the shade and provides booth-dining with flanking sofas and table, a stern sunpad-sofa and bathing platform. Beneath the foredeck there will be berthing for two and a head-shower compartment.

The Open’s zero-emissions drivetrain will be similar to the Icon’s. There will be a 400kWh bank of BMW i3 batteries and twin 100kW Torqeedo Deep Blue electric motors. It should be capable of a 50nm range at a 25-knot fast cruise.

And like The Icon, The Open is likely to start flying at around 17-18 knots from lift generated by a T-foil at the bow and a twin-strut horizontal foil aft that will incorporate forward-facing counter-rotating props.

The set-up is said to save 80% of the energy required to run a conventional comparable-size planing model.

The biggest benefit of a hydrofoil boat is the smoothness. Those foils run beneath the surface, while the hull should fly above any waves. And the fact that it is also an electric boat means it does so softly in terms of both vibration and noise. The maximum draft should be 1.95m (6ft 5in) and the air draft is claimed to 3.5m (11ft 6in).

Tyde may well be a new company, having only started in 2021, but it certainly has plenty of experience on which to draw. Its founders are no stranger to ‘sustainable mobility’.

Managing director Dr Christoph Ballin’s previous entrepreneurial ventures include electric outboard manufacturer Torqeedo and Sea.AI, which specialises in collision-avoidance technology for the marine environment. And his business partner, Tobias Hoffritz, was formerly BMW’s innovation director.

Tyde tells us it is almost ready to take Open orders and expects its first deliveries of production boats to commence in autumn 2024.

How to set up depth sounders: Everything you need to know about sonar

Best 40ft family flybridge boats on the market now, first look: the new karnic s37x’s shapeshifting potential, latest videos, saxdor 400 gtc tour: düsseldorf launch for new flagship, arksen 85 explorer tour: the ultimate long-range cruiser, sacs rebel 50 tour: the world’s most luxurious rib, fairline targa tour: sensational new british sportscruiser.

• Nautic Shows
• America’s Cup
• Classic Yachts
• Motor Yachts
• Sailing Yachts
• Superyachts
• Yachts News
• Destinations
• Yacht Clubs
• Boat Racing
• Meta Yachts

German automotive giant BMW continues its foray into electric watercraft by unveiling a new foiling day yacht that glides over the water and sets new standards for emission-free luxury watercraft design.

Christened The Open, this new luxury electric boat represents the second collaboration between BMW and German boatbuilder Tyde, following The Icon, which debuted at the 76th Cannes Film Festival in May this year.

The aim of the two companies for the new design was to create a larger, even more luxurious electric foiling yacht tailored to cater to the needs of private users who are interested in sustainable luxury watercraft. Actually, the design team claims The Open is the largest luxury foiling motor yacht for private owners.

“With The Icon, we have shown how elegant and luxurious sustainable mobility on the water can be,”  comments Christoph Ballin, co-founder and managing director of Tyde.  “The continuation of the cooperation with BMW is now fuelling the launch into another segment. The new model brings future-orientated mobility to the day yacht segment.”

Just like The Icon, the new Open foiling watercraft was developed in collaboration with the expert team at BMW’s industrial design studio spin-off Designworks and borrows state-of-the-art components and technology from the field of electromobility.

The renderings unveiled by the two companies showcase an open-walkaround day boat that measures 49 feet (15 meters) in length and has a maximum beam of 14.7 feet (4.5 meters). It is equipped with hydrofoils adapted from racing yachts, which significantly reduces energy consumption.

According to the designers, the foils allow the motor yacht to glide over the surface of the water with minimal drag, wake, and emissions, all the while saving almost 80 percent of energy.

In terms of power, the vessel will be equipped with a zero-emissions drivetrain similar to that fitted on The Icon. As such, we expect the foiling boat to boast a 400kWh bank of BMW i3 batteries and twin 100kW Torqeedo Deep Blue electric motors, which will allow it to start gliding above the water at around 17-18 knots. Lift will be generated by a T-foil at the bow and a twin-strut horizontal foil aft with forward-facing counter-rotating props.

The Open will be able to reach a maximum speed of 30 knots and will offer 50 nautical miles of range while cruising at 25 knots.

In terms of amenities, The Open incorporates everything one expects a luxury day boat to offer. There is a two-seat helm station protected by an angular wraparound windshield and a large hardtop covered in photovoltaic panels. A small seating area can be found forward and presents a vantage point for spectacular views. The aft area of the open deck includes a dining space with sofas and a table, a sunpad, and a bathing platform.

As for the interior space of the new foiling day boat, there is accommodation for two people in a prismatic cabin with a spacious sleeping area, a small workspace, a large TV screen, and a fully equipped bathroom. Modern and luxurious, the cabin is flooded by natural light, which enhances the sense of space.

Tyde will handle everything related to the production and marketing of the Open  electric foiling yacht . The startup has now started taking orders for the innovative watercraft, with the first deliveries expected to commence in autumn 2024

• Electric Foiling Yacht
• Electric Yacht

RELATED ARTICLES

Riva celebrates italian excellence at the “identitalia the iconic italian brands” exhibition.

Subscribe to our newsletter

To be updated with all the latest news, offers and special announcements.

LATEST ARTICLES

Luna rossa prada pirelli’s ac75 shines in sunday commissioning sail, alinghi red bull racing pushes forward with boatone commissioning in tricky conditions, ineos britannia’s new ac75 race boat revealed in barcelona, 2024 ibiza joysail attracts strong entry list, emirates team nz launch defender in torrential rain, editor picks, canadian beau lake introduces the tahoe ’14 and lugano ’14 electric runabouts, underwater adventure and exploration with deepflight’s super falcon 3s, driving performance on land and on water: 41′ amg carbon edition, popular posts, young designer of the year 2022: ioana valentina corcodel reveals 65m ophelia concept, mirabaud sailing video of the century: celebrating 2 decades of passion, superyacht the flying fox seized in the dominican republic, popular category.

• Regatta 818
• America's Cup 409
• Motor Yachts 263
• Boating 216
• Superyachts 186
• Sailing 179
• Yachts News 174
• Sailing Yachts 162

Meet The Icon Foiling Yacht

• By David Schmidt
• January 24, 2024

The Icon is BMW and Tyde GmbH’s first foray into the world of electric hydrofoil yachts. The Icon flies above the brine on three hydrofoils. These lift-generating appendages work in concert with the vessel’s twin rudders to balance gravity and centrifugal force while executing turns to yield what Tyde terms “coordinated curve control.”

Christoph Ballin, Tyde’s co-founder and managing director, says the toughest challenge his company faced when creating The Icon involved assembling the right team. While BMW initiated the project’s development and build, and is responsible for the yacht’s luxe interior and exterior design, Tyde’s crux involved bringing cutting-edge marine expertise—including forward-leaning companies and individuals with deep experience with hydrofoils and flight-control systems—to the design table. The magnet? “The concept was convincing,” Ballin says.

Flight control is handled by a centralized foil-control system that Tyde developed with Oceanflight Technologies. The system’s algorithm crunches incoming data from the vessel’s sensors 100 times per second, and it leverages custom-built actuators to articulate the vessel’s hydrofoils.

The Icon is powered by dual Torqeedo Deep Blue electric motors that each spin a dedicated contra-rotating propeller. Hull and hydrofoil design was tackled by America’s Cup-winning naval architect Guillaume Verdier; as such, The Icon’s hull contributes to smooth takeoffs and landings. The Icon achieves a (ballpark) 50-nautical-mile range at its 24-knot cruising speed. Top speed is 30 knots. 

Take the next step: tyde.one

• More: December 2023 , Electric , Electric Boats , Foiling Yachts , Foils , Trends , Tyde , Yachts
• More Yachts

Compass’ New Luxury Limo Tender

Nauta Reveals Details of the XP75

Two Sirena Yachts Are Better Than One

Custom Line 140′ Launches

Valo’s Foiling PWC

Palm Beach Motor Yachts 45 Sedan For Sale

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Email Newsletters
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

BMW premieres THE ICON, a battery-powered electric watercraft elevated by hydrofoils

Bmw and tyde introduce battery-powered the icon.

At Port de Cannes, car brand BMW unveils THE ICON, its geometric and elevated electric watercraft powered by batteries and designed with boat maker TYDE. Up to now, the engines of small-sized marine watercraft may lag and fail to pick up a rapid pace while faster boats with longer ranges are dominated by combustion engines. BMW changes the water vehicle game by adopting the powerful electric drive system and energy from high-voltage batteries from BMW i.

With THE ICON, BMW and THE TYDE introduce the first battery-powered marine craft of its kind that brings together locally emission-free travel within a luxury design vernacular. At 13.15 meters in length and with a top speed of 30 knots (or 55 km/h), THE ICON’s blazing speed is made possible with an ingredient drawn upin yacht racing: hydrofoils. BMW lifts the surface of its electric watercraft to reduce the energy it needs to generate compared with a conventional hull.

The foiling technology enables the watercraft to ride on wing structures below the water level while keeping the hull afloat above the water surface, nudging the vehicle forward at higher speeds. Tech buffs might appreciate the pair of 100 kW electric motors installed in THE ICON that convert the 240 kWh of energy supplied by six batteries from the BMW i3 into a range of more than 50 nautical miles. BMW introduces THE ICON at Port de Cannes where riders may hop onto the travel experience and listen to an exclusive soundtrack composed by award-winning film score luminary Hans Zimmer being played.

Prismatic design language for an electric watercraft

The design of THE ICON is curated by the creatives at innovation hub Designworks , a BMW Group subsidiary with studios in Los Angeles, Munich, and Shanghai. The design team, alongside boat maker TYDE , takes a calculated step to unfold the look of the electric watercraft. Its body opens wide at a width of 4.5 meters in the rear section before it narrows down into a semi-pointed tip, recalling a flat hull’s form while geometric lines curve around the watercraft’s body, framing the knockout views of the sea.

Inspired by origami, entering THE ICON resembles stepping inside a box of foldable wonder with its sloping ceiling and kaleidoscopic design, coupled with generous windows and the lush green and blue hues for the interior that freshens up the entire space. BMW crafts angled doors for the entrance of THE ICON. They shape sections of metal sheeting to follow the curves of the furniture and design elements, and the approach enables the granular surface structure of the metal to reflect the sunlight onto the floor like waves on the sea. 

Striving for CO2-free, water-bound mobility

A sense of lightness infiltrates the entirety of the space as natural light comes pouring in from all directions, enhanced by the landscape of the city and shore that sit on the horizon. For the seating, the chair design rotates 360 degrees to gift the riders the pleasure of observing the scenic views. BMW intends for the armchairs to pirouette as an attempt at social interaction In this way, everyone moves with their bodies and talks directly at someone. 

BMW truly drives the ethos of social interaction forward and at once, even placing the craft’s command station centrally on the deck, among the passengers’ rotating chairs. The captain enjoys the car brand’s eye for advanced technology through the 32-inch touchscreen display with 6K resolution serving as their screen guide for navigation and the voice-command feature that allows the pilot to vocally request for range information and weather reports.

The watercraft revealed in Cannes for the first time is a fully production-ready example of BMW on steeping marine transport with technology and devices rooted in CO2-free, water-bound mobility. From its foiling technology that achieves high speeds without generating waves or drag to its battery-powered electric drive system, THE ICON sets a new standard for BMW in crafting a noiseless and emission-free water vehicle tinged with visual notes of luxury.

BMW and TYDE’s electric watercraft THE ICON

project info:

name: THE ICON

boat maker: TYDE

design: Designworks

color-changing BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA glimmers with Esther Mahlangu's Ndebele art

WATER VEHICLES (103)

Watercraft (75), product library.

a diverse digital database that acts as a valuable guide in gaining insight and information about a product directly from the manufacturer, and serves as a rich reference point in developing a project or scheme.

• love hultén (10)
• sound art (62)
• car design (796)
• electric automobiles (640)
• materials (67)
• recycling (329)
• car concept (358)
• space travel design (96)

designboom will always be there for you

BMW THE ICON Debuts As Posh Electric Yacht With i3 Batteries

Home » BMW THE ICON Debuts As Posh Electric Yacht With i3 Batteries

Adrian Padeanu

May 17, 2023 / 2 minutes read

While we’re patiently waiting for BMW to introduce the Touring Coupe Concept on Friday and the new 5 Series / i5 next week, an entirely different type of product is making its debut at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. THE ICON is a joint effort between the Munich-based luxury automaker and boat manufacturer TYDE. The unexpected project traces its roots to an idea and concept conceived by BMW, with the styling penned by subsidiary Designworks.

At 13.15 meters (43.14 feet) long, THE ICON is imposing large, and yet it has zero emissions since it gets its necessary juice from no fewer than six batteries sourced from a BMW i3 . The large 240-kWh pack feeds a pair of electric motors, each producing 134 horsepower (100 kW). This dual-motor setup enables the posh boat to hit a top speed of 30 knots and provide an operating speed of 24 knots. With the battery fully charged, it can cover more than 50 nautical miles or 100 kilometers.

Further bridging a connection with BMW’s road-going EVs is the interior with a tablet mimicking the experience provided by the eighth-generation iDrive found in current models. THE ICON boasts a 32-inch touchscreen with a 6K resolution, making it just about as large as the 31.3-inch, 8K Theatre Screen inside the new 7 Series / i7. As with the electric road cars, Hans Zimmer was asked to develop a bespoke soundtrack to replace the thrill provided by a conventional engine.

Using an electric powertrain for such a large yacht is not as common as you might think as this type of drivetrain is mainly used for smaller boats. BMW goes as far as to say THE ICON is more than just a concept or a design study, mentioning it’s a “fully production-ready example.” It gets everything from 360-degree rotating seats to a lounge area, thus making it ideal for deep-pocketed customers looking for a high-end watercraft.

We can’t even fathom how much it would cost to buy but we’re certain it will spark an interest among one-percenters.

Source: BMW

Popular this week

2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Shows its Interior Design

BMW M2 G87 Frozen Pure Grey With Carbon Roof Is A Looker

Two BMW M2 Frozen Portimao Blue G87s Pose For The Camera

2024 BMW iX1 Quietly Gets An Updated Kidney Grille

2025 MINI Cooper S Arrives In The US With 201 HP For $32,200

You may also like

2025 BMW i4 eDrive40 Facelift – Live Photos From Beijing

BMW i4 Was Brand’s Best-Selling EV In 2023 With 83,000+ Sold

2025 BMW M440i Facelift vs. Pre-Facelift – Photo Comparison

The 2025 BMW i4 M50 Gets Sharper Look

The MINI Aceman Shows Good Things Come In Small Packages

The 2025 BMW M440i Gran Coupe Facelift Keeps RWD Version

More from News

Consumer Reports Finds BMWs Among The Most Expensive Cars To Maintain

BMW M440i Gran Coupe Hits Over 300 KM/H On Empty Highway

BMW Selling €125 Digital Birth Certificate For Your Car

2025 BMW M440i Gran Coupe

2025 BMW i4 and 4 Series Gran Coupe - First Look

BMW Automatic braking at 80 km/h

2025 BMW X3: Automatic Emergency Braking - How It Works

BMW M3 CS 2024 - Test Drive

Emergency Braking to avoid collisions in a BMW

Hill climb with the new BMW X3

2025 BMW X3 - Technical Workshop

This is what a BMW X3 Prototype looks like

2025 BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid Review

NEW 2025 BMW X3 - Driving Review & Off-Road

The future BMW iDrive #shorts

Is this BMW XM worth $190,000?

We changed the kidney grille on the BMW VISION NEUE KLASSE X

Emergency braking at 170 km/h - BMW M440i

• Rolls-Royce
• Test Drives
• Latest News
• Which X5 to buy?
• BMW 2 Series
• Which SUV to Buy?
• E90 3 Series
• E46 3 Series
• BMW Extended Warranty
• Interesting
• European Delivery

BMW and Tyde launch electric luxury yacht

It is the second electric boat coming out of the collaboration between car and boat manufacturers. 'The Open' is set to become "the largest" climate-friendly hydrofoil luxury yacht, according to Tyde and BMW, and the spec may live up to the promise.

• electric ships

The new yacht measures nearly 15 metres and utilises electric car components from BMW. Two electric motors power it with 100 kW each. A battery with a capacity of around 400 kWh is also on board.

Tyde estimates the range at a speed of 25 knots (46 km/h) at around 50 nautical miles (93 km). Deliveries of ‘The Open’ are scheduled to begin in autumn 2024.

Tyde is responsible for the design, development, production, and marketing, while BMW not only contributes e-mobility components but also helps with the design through its subsidiary Designworks.

This is the second project between the two companies. In May, they presented ‘The Icon’ with a length of 13.15 metres and a top speed of 30 knots (55 km/h). In this case, too, the companies relied on underwater hydrofoils. These help to reduce the vehicle’s energy requirements by up to 80 per cent, according to Tyde. 

“With ‘The Icon’, we have shown how elegant and luxurious sustainable mobility on water can be. The continuation of our cooperation with BMW is now fuelling our entry into another segment. The new model brings pioneering mobility to the day yacht segment,” says Christoph Ballin, co-founder and Managing Director of Tyde.

Info via email.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree with the Privacy policy

US funding for electric heavy-duty vehicles and buses

VW aims to reach cost parity with Chinese EV manufacturers by 2026

Nissan unveils electric saloon and electric SUV concepts for China