BMW “The Icon” Hydrofoil

BMW and boats. What? Well, that’s exactly what you see here, and it’s not just any old boat. It’s the result of a collab between BMW and boat maker TYDE. The radical electric watercraft just dropped cover at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. It looks like something owned by a Bond villain, but BMW says it’s production ready and aimed at electric boat naysayers with money. Dubbed “The Icon”, the hydrofoil is powered by six battery packs with 240 kWh routed to two 134-hp electric motors. Top speed is 30 knots, and range is 62 miles. Those impressive figures are aided by the hydrofoil design that reduces water drag by up to 80% compared to conventional boats. It’s virtually silent, and it even gets a Hans Zimmer soundtrack pumped through the Dolby Atmos sound system. The cabin is as impressive as the expansive greenhouse. It has a 32″ touchscreen with BMW iDrive 8 infotainment, voice command, ambient LED lighting, and 360-degree rotating living room-like seating. From the Tyde website, it looks like The Icon will be built sometime in 2024, but don’t expect one in a BMW showroom, ever.