Not only did an array of projects premiere at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, but so did a new breed of watercraft on the French town's port. The sustainable luxury mini yacht called The Icon gives users a small taste of what it's like to be a part of the global elite, according to its developers, BMW and boat maker Tyde. BMW designers came up with the idea and developed the concept for this collaborative endeavour. The electric drive system on the craft sources its energy from high-voltage batteries supplied by BMW i. The boat uses hydrofoils traditionally used in racing yachts to help reduce the energy requirement by up to 80 per cent compared with a conventional hull, its developer said, adding that the foiling technology - whereby the craft rides on wing structures below the water level, while the hull floats above the surface of the water - provides a higher level of travelling comfort and higher speeds.
展开▼
