BMW + TYDE present THE ICON: Holistic Innovation for Sustainable Luxury.
Debuting, in the harbour of the southern French city of Cannes, we may see the breathtaking global premiere of the 76th Cannes International Film Festival. Together with TYDE, BMW has unveiled a new emblem for environmentally friendly water transportation: THE ICON.
The battery-electric powertrain of THE ICON ushers in a number of new benchmarks. Until recently, the only marine electric cars available were tiny, sluggish, and had a limited range. As of right now, boats with combustion engines still make up 100 percent of the market for speedier, bigger vessels with greater range. The proportions, maximum speed, and range of electrically driven boats are all rethought in light of THE ICON.
The invention of hydrofoils in yacht racing has made this possible by significantly reducing fuel consumption (by as much as 80%) when compared to conventional hulls. By using wings submerged in the water to support the vehicle while the hull floats on the water's surface, the foiling technique improves both ride comfort and speed.
Credit: BMW/TYDE - Enes Kucevic
Credit: BMW/TYDE - Enes Kucevic
BMW i3's six batteries produce 240 kWh of energy, and two 100 kW electric motors turn it into more than 50 nautical miles (100 km) of range at 24 knots (45 km/h). 30 knots (or 55 km/h) is the top speed. THE ICON's cutting-edge propulsion system and foiling technology provide for nearly quiet passage across the water, free from disruptions caused by passing vessels or the effect of waves.
The Dolby Atmos system creates a stunning aural environment within the ship. Hans Zimmer, winner of two Oscars, collaborated on the sound design, which features not just the driving sound but also pleasant, intuitive, and practical noises. The Hollywood sound designer's ground-breaking work heralds an exciting new age of environmentally friendly water transportation that's both fun and relaxing to use.
Credit: BMW/TYDE - Enes Kucevic
The design team was tasked with making every aspect of experiencing THE ICON, from the very first glance to the final farewell, an iconic one. Technical precision is reflected in the boat's body, which is made out of a very flat hull and a central support for the see-through architecture. The plan's prism form provides for a width of 4.5 metres towards the rear. This makes the foyer leading into the plush parlour feel even more expansive. The hull itself is like a lightweight origami structure. As the foiling method makes for a peaceful voyage, the designers were able to swap out the traditional ship's sides for expansive panes of glass. Offering a breathtaking perspective to those riding on it. The unmistakable appearance of THE ICON is enhanced with cutting-edge LED light strips at the bow and stern as well as at the loading connection points.
The hull's origami construction saves weight, and its height means that people may sit or stand in an erect position within. In contrast to the prismatic surfaces of the windows and roof, THE ICON's most emotive and sculptural aspect is its central atrium. The body, which holds up the roof and the glass walls, is a two-tone turquoise design reminiscent of oceanic hues. Passengers may take in breathtaking vistas of the sea while relaxing in the plush interior thanks to the ship's large glass windows.
A salon with a kaleidoscope-like arrangement of artistically crafted pieces of furniture on a plush carpet may be accessed through angled glass doors. The furniture is crafted from metal sheets with a textured surface that reflects light onto the floor in waves, giving the room a seaside feel.
Credit: BMW/TYDE - Enes Kucevic
Credit: BMW/TYDE - Enes Kucevic
The tablet-based entertainment system and other amenities are only some of the user-friendly features made possible by the chairs' ability to rotate 360 degrees. Turning the chairs around creates an intimate conversation pit. They're building a fantastic gathering spot that can dock at any marina.
The cockpit's command seat is positioned dead centre, and it is equipped with a BMW-style steering wheel and gauges. Rather than using a wide variety of separate instruments, a single digital control unit handles everything. A 32-inch 6k touch display acts as the user interface, emulating the aesthetics of BMW's iDrive system. This opens up exciting possibilities for data visualisation and online collaboration. Important features like lighting and climate regulation are at your beck and call with only the sound of your voice, and so is range information and weather updates.
The watercraft being shown at Cannes is not a research project or idea, but rather a series product featuring groundbreaking technologies for personal or commercial usage. Producing cars based ON THE ICON will usher in a new era of pollution-free luxury water transportation. They're supposed to get people excited about pollution-free, noise-free, comfortable marine travel without carbon dioxide.
THE ICON dazzles with its strong, noiseless, and pollution-free motor. Thanks to foiling technology, the vehicle may go quickly without creating a wake or generating waves. As a result, THE ICON always returns home with nothing but good memories.
