BMW and Tyde announce the ecological yacht of the future

The famous German car brand has teamed up with its compatriot Tyde, a young manufacturer of electric boats, to design a zero-emission yacht in the greatest secrecy. Announced as highly desirable, the Icon will make its first public appearance during the Cannes International Film Festival.

A star like no other could overshadow the flesh-and-blood stars at the upcoming Cannes International Film Festival.

BMW and the German start-up Tyde have chosen this high-profile event to unveil the Icon, their zero-emission luxury yacht, on May 17.

The two partners have developed this vessel of the future in “the greatest secrecy.” But it will be in full light and can be admired throughout the festival until May 27, making graceful circles in the Old Port …

Teasing

Mastering the art of teasing, the festival team gave only a few elements to arouse the curiosity of the next admirers of the Icon.

©BMW

And this one should have something to seduce both the aesthetes and the defenders of the planet. BMW’s Designworks studio drew inspiration from the BMW i line of electric vehicles to design the model with a zero-emission propulsion system and green technologies.

For its part, Tyde brought its expertise in designing and constructing battery-powered ships. Its two co-founders, Christopher Ballin and Tobias Hoffritz, combined their respective knowledge of electric mobility on water for the former (also the originator of Torqeedo) and of technological innovation in vehicles for the latter (an ex-BMW).

Cutting-edge design

Experts also expect Icon’s design to be cutting-edge.

Some whisper that it could resemble the SLX 260, a sleek, glamorous, sporty 26-foot sports boat launched last year by Designworks, then partnered with Sea Ray, the U.S. pleasure boat manufacturer.

For BMW, this foot in the water isn’t entirely a first.

Between the two wars, in 1919, the German manufacturer founded BMW Marine, a marine division manufacturing boat engines, before selling it in 1987 to Mercury Marine, the American manufacturer of outboard motors. And in the year 2000, BMW returned by the small door with the sector by creating its brand of clothing and accessories called BMW Yachtsport, sponsor of America’s Cup!

All that remains for fans of the car brand to do is to put on a BMW Yachtsport cap and climb aboard the future Icon, to discover the joys of driving at sea…

Sophie Michentef

Après plus 20 ans au Journal du Textile, dont elle a notamment assuré la rédaction en chef adjointe, diplômée d’un Master en marketing de luxe de l’ISML, Sophie Bouhier de l’Ecluse est une spécialiste de la filière mode, textile et luxe.