BMW's Luxury Flying Yacht Is a Vision of an All-Electric Future, Looks Amazing in Motion

The Icon is perhaps one of the most startling and instantly recognizable watercraft around because its entire superstructure seems to be made of glazing, for its ability to "fly" over water at high speed, and the unique prism-like design of the superstructure on top of the trimaran-style flat hull. The Icon is also fully electric, drawing power from a 240 kWh battery pack made up of six BMW i3 batteries and two electric motors.

BMW and Tyde brought The Icon to the 2023 edition of the Cannes Festival, opening its glass doors to welcome journalists and attendees onboard. Prior to that, the carmaker had stated that, though built as a showcase unit, The Icon was a production-ready model that would unsurprisingly push luxury sailing into the new era of sustainability.

Anyone who has at least $2.6 million to spare, which is the reported price tag of this craft, can get in touch with Tyde to configure their dream unit. The rest of us are left with pictures and videos of the yacht to try and get a feel of just how awesome it is.

Pictures are good, but video is even better

A few weeks ago, The Icon was in Dubai, where famous carfluencer Supercar Blondie got to tour it and take it out for a short drive. The video is available at the bottom of the page, and while it's not the only video tour of this unique, revolutionary watercraft, it's perhaps the one that best does it justice in terms of the surprising design and gorgeous aesthetics.

The facts about The Icon were made public long before it made its first appearance at Cannes, so there's hardly any need to dwell on them again. We'll just say that the 43-footer (13.15-meter) watercraft is styled like a floating VIP lounge, with expansive glazing on the walls and the ceiling, plush carpeting, chrome furniture, and metal finishes.

At speeds of 18 knots (21 mph/33 kph), The Icon deploys the hydrofoils to rise 3 feet (1 meter) above the waterline, which ensures a smoother and more efficient sailing experience. BMW estimates the lack of resistance while sailing on hydrofoils translates into an increase of about 80% in efficiency.

Top speed is 30 knots (35 mph/56 kph) with an operating speed of 24 knots (28 mph/44 kph) and a range for the latter of 62 miles (100 km) per charge. That seems very yacht-unworthy, which would make The Icon more of a fancy dayboat, but BMW plans to allow owners to retrofit upgrades, as battery tech evolves.

The command station is in the center of the lounge, with a 6k 32-inch touch digital control unit inspired by the BMW iDrive operating system and backup manual controls. The system includes voice control, while the Dolby Atmos sound system will play atmospheric music by none other than Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer, who previously worked with BMW to craft the sound of their luxury EVs.

Options also include atmospheric lighting, 360-rotating seats that aim to encourage social interaction and allow guests to take in the spectacular panoramic views, and the promise of exclusive luxury.

It's that last item on the list that truly stands out from this video tour.

The Icon is really very futuristic and, partly because it's so unlike any other watercraft, incredibly luxurious. The gleaming surfaces, the unique shape with its unexpected sharp angles, and even the color palette of this first model (a deep dark green for the exterior and shades of grays that are meant to create the impression of moving waves) create a premium environment basked in natural light, packed with tech, and inducing of ultimate relaxation.

And that was the goal from the start.

“Solutions developed as part of The Icon project will be used for various vehicles and applications to follow in the wake of The Icon: from advanced private luxury to premium commercial and public mobility," BMW said last year. "The Icon and its successors will inspire zero-emission luxury mobility at sea and open a new segment for sustainable luxury yachts."

Yacht or dinghy?

While there can be no denying the luxury features and the innovations made possible by The Icon, you do have to wonder about its everyday functionality. Even without the anxiety-inducing estimated range, its applicability can't possibly exceed that of a dayboat or tender, at the most.

For one, there doesn't seem to be a restroom onboard, and that, you will agree, is perhaps one of the first things you'd expect to find on a yacht. Sure enough, BMW plans to offer several layouts for The Icon, some of which might also include baths. But the showcase unit doesn't.

The VIP lounge-style layout, the lack of a restroom, and the limited range have prompted comparisons online with a dinghy with artsy pretensions, but that's probably a bit too mean, especially considering this is a first-of-its-kind watercraft. The Icon is not technically a "yacht," no matter how many times you hear it called that, but it could become one, one day.