Boat of the Month: Did Bugatti Inspire the 80Veloce Billionaire "Commuter" Boat? Not Quite

Folks, the 80Veloce, the striking and dazzling machine we have before us today, is nothing more than the pinnacle of Italian styling, design, dynamics, and living expressed in boat form. Currently up for grabs for a knee-bending €7.2M ($7.9M at current exchange rates); it's so dang fresh that we don't even have any actual images of the finished machine - its construction began earlier this year and will be delivered in 2024.

However, freshness and all that aside, the one and only reason why this puppy takes this month's spotlight is because, well, look at the dang thing! From the hull shape to the exterior accents and interior living, this 82-footer (25 m) is the absolute peak of what design and functionality can produce. Did I mention speed? You'll see what I meant shortly.

First of all, let me start off by pointing out a bit about the teams involved in this project, none other than Cantieri di Pisa, Redaelli Associati, and Etienne Salome, the latter of which even held the title of Assistant Chief Designer at Bugatti Automobiles. What more could we want?

Now, these three crews really put their heart and soul into this ship because as I explored all that it is and can achieve, I couldn't believe that the 80Veloce is designed to hit a top speed of up to 60 knots (69 mph). That's insane, and apparently, commutes are on a whole different level for the rich.

This is made possible first by the engines, three MAN HP2000, and secondly by the hull design and the materials used to craft said hull. In this case, nothing but good old carbon fiber goes into that sleek and sexy hull, and that's also one of the main reasons why there's such a price tag stuck to the side of this vessel.

From the hull, Bugatti-like styling explodes into view, including that LED strip that wraps around the windshield and leads our eyes to the bow of the 80. If you own a Bugatti, this may just be the perfect ship to expand your toy collection.

One neat design feature that we can spot on the Veloce is the presence of a rear alfresco lounge. Here, a retractable bimini offers shade over a sunbed where up to four two-legged lizards can crisp up to their desired levels. Underneath the hardtop, however, a dinette and a bar are also visible in the renderings.

But let's say you've had your fill of outdoor activities. If that's the case, the main salon is where you'll want to escape. Here, guests will be able to rest their bones in two lounges, but the real attraction is the 360-degree view, made possible by that luscious and sweeping windshield. The view of the rear is simply completed with sliding glass doors. At the front of this space, the cockpit lies in wait.

Now, I want you to take a moment out of your busy day and picture yourself in the center of this space. Feel yourself gliding over the local seawater at speeds upwards of 60 knots, all the while kicking back, enjoying the view, or having a chat with your best buds. Once you're done speeding around, head back outside and lounge around or head down to the beach club found aft.

Yet, this isn't all the magic the Veloce has to offer. While it comes across as a rather small vessel, Cantieri and the designers responsible for what we see are able to throw in a few other treats as well. What I'm referring to is the lower deck of the boat, where the future owners and guests aboard can rest their bones during speedy transits or while exploring hidden bays around uncharted islands.

Moreover, Cantieri lets future owners select the sort of layout they may want or need. Up to eight guests can be accommodated with a four-room layout, but you can keep things more intimate with a two-room option. The latter variation also keeps things nice and airy and eliminates that feeling of cramped and tight spaces.

This idea of customization extends far beyond just the bedroom layout. Judging by the renderings posted on Northrop & Johnson's website, future owners will also be able to finetune the trim levels and materials used to craft their living space. Which is the version you like most?

At the end of the day, the 80Veloce is a pricy boat and one that most people don't have the cash for. Still, this shouldn't keep us from drooling over the pinnacle of luxury boating and living. Personally, I think it's going to be quite some time before we see another quite like this one.