And the list is growing
Bugatti made an early start, and Mercedes-Benz and Aston Martin soon followed suit. But even Ferrari tried building a boat in the past. Let's look at all the speed boats built by car manufacturers.
1. Bugatti Niniette by Palmer Johnson
The makers of the world’s fastest production car, Bugatti, and one of the largest motor yacht builders in the world, Palmer Johnson, have embarked on a joint project. Bugatti has granted Palmer Johnson the license to design and build a series of elegant open carbon-fiber yachts. Those yachts will feature distinctive Bugatti design elements and innovative materials. The series of yachts will bear the name Niniette and will be available in three models ranging from 42 feet to 88 feet (13-27 meters). Prices start from two million dollars for the smallest model.
2. Mercedes-Benz Arrow 460 GranTurismo
Arrow 460 Granturismo is a 14-meter sports boat developed by Daimler in cooperation with Silver Arrows Marine.
The official press release dubs it the “Silver Arrow of the Seas” in direct reference to the silver arrow cars produced by Mercedes. The yacht has classic automobile proportions that bring the hallmark Mercedes design idiom of sensual purity onto the water in a highly emotional and dynamic form. The yacht also combines the advantages of an open boat with those of a hull cabin cruiser in a unique fashion. Its crossover design offers the ultimate in variability, resulting in a boat that is equally suitable for day trips and overnight stays on board.
The 14 meters long vessel is propelled by a pair of Yanmar 6LY3-ETP diesel engines, each developing 480 hp. Top speed is over 40 knots.
3. Aston Martin AM37 by Quintessence
The British sports carmaker is collaborating with Quintessence Yachts to build the AM37 sports boat. It’s an opulent wooden decked powerboat that will be right at home in Venice or Monaco. The vessel is produced by Quintessence Yachts and it fuses maritime and automotive design motifs. The interior, for example, is very car-like, down to the steering wheel.
The 37-foot (11m) model is available in two versions – the AM37 with an estimated top speed of 45 knots and a choice of two 370 hp Mercury diesel or two 430 hp Mercury petrol engines. And the AM37S version with an estimated 50 knots derived from its twin 520 hp Mercury petrol engines.
4. Jaguar Concept Speedboat
Back in 2012, Jaguar teamed up with Canadian yacht designer Ivan Erdevicki to create a speed boat concept. It was used to promote the new, at that time, Jaguar XF Sportbrake.
"The Concept Speedboat looks powerful. It follows, in so many ways, the idea of a traditional speedboat but with the sleek and fast characteristics that you would expect from a Jaguar Car", said Ian Callum, director of design for Jaguar.
5. Lexus Sport Yacht Concept
Inspired by the Toyota branded boats that sell in Japan, Lexus decided that is time to flex its muscles in the marine industry. So, this is the Lexus Sport Yacht Concept: an open sport yacht for day touring with six or eight guests. The 12.7m boat is powered by twin 440 hp 5.0-liter Lexus V8 engines. It's the same engine as the one the Lexus RC-F uses. Top speed is 43 knots.
It's a one-off project and Lexus says that has no intention for mass production. The concept was built in collaboration with Marquis-Carver Yacht Group of Pulaski, Wisconsin, USA.
6. Sacs – Lancia
In 2010, Italian RIB manufacturer Sacs teamed up with Lancia and Martini to create a special boat for the Venice Film Festival.
The new boat has been developed jointly by four Italian companies: Sacs, who produce luxury RIBs; FPT, a company in the Fiat Group and manufacturer of the “best in class” engines and Martini, regular partner of Lancia in the field of racing.
The 13m RIB was powered by wo N67-560 engines by Fiat Powertrain Technologies. Top speed is 55 knots!
7. Ferrari – Riva
Riva and Ferrari are two brands that don't need presentation. Riva is currently a sponsor for the Ferrari Formula 1 Team, but in the past the two companies teamed up to build a special boat: the Riva Ferrari 32 Speedboat from 1990.
Only 30 pieces built, it is today a rare example of the collaboration between the two Italian premium brands. It was a Formula 1 styled hull, painted in Ferrari Rosso Corsa hue and with a black carbon fiber spoiler on top. It had plenty of power: two 390 hp V8 Vulcano 400 engines for a top speed of over 50 knots.
The list doesn't stop here. Henrik Fisker, the famous designer that once worked for Aston Martin and later created his own car brand, has designed a superyacht for Benetti.
Even Porsche Design, the style branch of the german company was involved in creating a yacht for Royal Falcon Fleet that is still under construction.