It’s not just voluptuous ensembles and incredible looks that grabbed all the attention at the 76th Cannes Film Festival. BMW teamed up with boat manufacturer Tyde to produce a fully electric boat that cruised along the coast to create new waves. Setting new benchmarks in the race of electric vehicles, this watercraft is not only the first battery-powered and emission-free watercraft, but a high-end luxurious boat too.
Powered by the high-voltage batteries by BMWi and the cutting-edge technology of TYDE, the watercraft was unveiled for the first time in the port of the southern French town alongside 200 electric vehicles. This groundbreaking project is the result of an in-depth sharing of knowledge between experts at BMW, TYDE, and Designworks, a BMW group subsidiary.
With a range of 50 nautical miles and a top speed of 30 knots, The Icon is a trailblazer for a new breed of battery-electric watercraft. Thanks to the brilliant drive system and foiling technology, there is almost no noise and less vibrations and shocks. More than ever, the interior is luxuriously designed with prism-like transparency and large glass surfaces, accentuated by iconic LED light strips at the bow, stern, and the charging connection points throughout the vessel.
The thrilling moment begins when the traveler steps into the lounge area which is replete with stunningly refined carpets and rotating seats allowing them to adjust their position. The experience is enhanced with an on-board Dolby Atmos system that plays a tune by Academy Award winner Hans Zimmer. The experience is closer to the feeling you get sitting on a luxurious cruise.
The craft’s control station is in the middle of the deck and has a ship’s wheel and genuine BMW designed gauges. A new digital control unit with all crucial functions incorporated into it replaces the conventional nautical instruments.
The global premiere of The Icon, fittingly at the Cannes Film Festival, yet again brings attention to the brand’s longstanding strategy to achieve sustainable mobility in the future.
