Together with TYDE, BMW becomes a driving force behind THE ICON Electric Watercraft. It’s a special project that supports our world moving toward greener environment through sustainable mobility on water. It’s a new concept creation that reimagines luxury and future mobility.
It looks like BMW wants to transform their luxurious, emission-free form of transport from the road to a new element, in this case, water. TYDE, world-leading experts and boat builder, has developed special batteries for THE ICON, they also contribute their technical expertise for the construction of the watercraft.
Just like those tides are created by the interaction of the Earth and the moon, THE ICON Watercraft has been designed just like the interplay of two factors: innovation and sustainable mobility. Peter Dengler, the head of THE ICON project, explains that these factors can be made possible in all segments. Mobility on water is almost ten times more energy intensive than mobility on road. Fortunately, professional sailing keeps on coming up with new and innovative solutions for substantially way of saving energy, paving the way for climate-friendly solutions. THE ICON boasts same characteristics found in BMW luxury vehicles such as BMW i7 M70, maximum sustainability combined with innovative design for unique driving experience.
THE ICON Electric Watercraft comes with foiling technology, it is capable to deliver up to 80% energy saving. This technology supports the sustainability aspects of this new watercraft. Foils consist of a stabilizing fin and two wings, they act like underwater wings, thus allowing the watercraft to hover over the water. This means that The ICON is possible 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 the water, it literally hovers over the water. Those two propellers on the rear foil provide propulsion for THE ICON. It glides about one meter above water, after 10 to 12 seconds from startup.
You won’t find conventional side of the ship, THE ICON is designed with a ceiling-high panoramic window that forms the outer façade. Passengers would enjoy unobstructed view that makes them feel that the water merges with the horizon. The interior reflects modern luxury lounge design language where each passenger takes a seat in their own swiveling chair as well as their own infotainment interface.
