Luxury yachts are not in short supply. But when luxury automakers decided to it was time to get wet, the concept took a whole new meaning. From modelling the boats after popular marques to employing the same tech used in their cars, the yachts from these brands marry some of the best features in the automotive world with some of the most desirable characteristics in theirs.

Here are some luxury yachts by luxury auto brands that have made quite a splash in recent years

The Bugaatti Niniette 66 by Palmer Johnson

If Bugatti has ever made an ugly car, we are not aware, and so, it comes as no surprise that its yacht would be as much a delight to look at as their autos.

Built by Monaco-based shipyard, Palmer Johnson, the Niniette 66 is inspired by the Chiron and features the iconic ‘c shape’ line on its side. Its deck and hull are made out of carbon fibre and finished in blue and silver tones, while its interior combines carbon fibre, leather, and natural blue morta oak for a truly luxurious feel.

The lower deck houses a jacuzzi and fireplace made of fibreglass, both of which are surrounded by comfortable seats that make up the social area. There is also a champagne bar and a sun deck right in the middle.

Below deck is a generously-sized lounge and next to it is a bedroom with a double bed and bathroom.

Powered by two v8 engines, the Bugatti Niniette 66 (Niniette was the nickname for Lidia Bugatti, founder Ettore Bugatti’s daughter, while 66 stands for the length of the yacht, 66 feet, and the number of examples Johnson hopes to build for this concept) can reach top speeds of 44 knots and has a shallow draft of 0.83 metres.

Lexus Sport Yacht by the Marquis-Carver Yachts

Unlike the Bugatti Niniette 66, the Lexus Sport Yacht is a bespoke, one-off example that the auto brand has no intention of producing on a commercial scale.

It was built in collaboration with Marquis-Carver Yachts (now Marquis Yachts) using a composite of two-part polyurethane epoxy resin reinforced with a composite material called carbon-fibre reinforced plastic, or CFRP. This material allows the yacht to be at least 1000kg lighter than one built using fibreglass-reinforced plastic (FRP).

At the helm is a colour touchscreen that shows GPS navigation; digital charts; surface radar; underwater sonar and lighting, and contains the entertainment system, while the forward passenger cabin features a sofa that can sit a total of six people, and a table. A galley with a two-burner stove, sink, under-counter refrigerator and shower head complete the design.

The Aston Martin AM37 Powerboat by Quintessence Yachts

Do you know what Aston Martin did when it decided that it was time to move its creative capabilities from land to sea?

It assembled a team of its most experienced designers, picked the brains of its master craftsmen, collaborated with naval architect Mulder Design and contracted the help of Quintessence Yachts to create a 37-foot powerboat, aptly named the AM37.

The AM37, which took two years of research and development “is a day cruiser that can be transformed into an overnight berth by transforming the table into a comfortable bed.” Perhaps its most distinct feature is its sliding deck technology, a lightweight ‘cover’ consisting of three carbon panels that can completely cover the cockpit of the boat at the touch of a button.

With a carbon fibre dashboard that resembles that of Aston Martin’s most advanced sports cars, luxurious leather seats, mood lightening and other luxurious amenities, it is safe to say that the AM37 is a true luxury nautical vessel.

The Aston Martin Yacht comes 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 twin 520 hp Mercury petrol engines that provide an estimated speed of 50 knots.

The Lamborghini 63 by Tecnomar

Per Lamborghini, the last thing they wanted was for their yacht to simply be a luxury supercar that could ride the waves. And while the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 is anything but that, it is undeniably the boat version of the Sian FKP 37.

But this is not the only Lamborghini model that makes an appearance on the yacht. The two leather pilot seats are modelled after the Huracan Evo while its dashboard looks exactly like what you would find on any Lamborghini marque.

Powered by a pair of MAN V12 diesel engines, each packing 2,000 hp, the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 can reach top speeds of 60 knots, making her one of the fastest yachts in her class.

Looking to get one? That would set you back by at least $3.5 million.

The post 4 Luxury Auto Brands that have produced Super Cool Yachts first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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Over more than three decades, Lexus, the global luxury automotive brand, has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to bold, uncompromising design, exceptional craftsmanship, and exhilarating performance. Taking a human-centred approach, Lexus anticipates and understands the future needs and desires of people and society. Its thoughtful design is guided by attention to detail and a focus on craft traditions resulting in high-performance innovations, with a focus on comfort and elegance. Prior international design initiatives have included the Lexus Design Award, presented annually to an emerging designer at Milan Design Week, and an ongoing collaboration with Design Miami/.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Tosin Oshinowo and Chrissa Amuah and are looking forward to presenting their vision and human-centric approach in coordination with Design Miami/ this year, illuminating the various ways design can look to craft and tradition to forge new and exciting pathways forward,” commented Brian Bolain, general manager of Lexus International.

Based in Lagos, Oshinowo is an architect, a designer, creative entrepreneur, and founder of Ilé-Ilà, an internationally recognized furniture brand that explores bold colours through period-conscious furniture in a contemporary African context. Since 2012, she has been the Principal Architect at cmDesign Atelier (cmD+A), an architecture design consultancy practice known for environmentally-conscious and boundary-pushing contemporary architecture in Nigeria and across the African Continent. She is known for her socially responsive approach to architecture and urbanism and her exploration into the African identity in the modern context.

Amuah, a British-Ghanaian textiles designer, is based in London, England. She draws inspiration from her heritage in Ghana, Togo and Benin. Amuah is the Founder and Creative Director of AMWA Designs, an Adinkra-inspired luxury homeware and interiors textiles brand. In 2017, she established AFRICA BY DESIGN, an online platform and series of travelling exhibitions that showcase the talent of sub-Saharan designers both on the continent and living abroad, creating international commercial opportunities for its featured designers. Both Oshinowo and Amuah have led significant creative careers and been recognized internationally. Their collaboration will explore our understanding of human existence and respond to current restrictions on individual movements caused by the global pandemic, producing a series of design objects that will iterate on the evolution of ergonomics and elegance during this time.

“We were so energized by Lexus’s prompt to create space for a design thought experiment – to look at the world around us, to explore the experiences that we as a collective humanity have faced this past year in order to find inspiration and new possibilities,” noted Tosin Oshinowo. Says Chrissa Amuah, “We hope that our design exploration will spark joy and celebration, in spite of the restrictions the world now finds itself in, and intend to use this design to make a bold statement towards our new human existence.”

In addition to returning as an Automotive Partner to Design Miami/, Lexus will unveil the collaboration with Tosin Oshinowo and Chrissa Amuah in coordination with the fair, which opens November 27 through December 6 online and in-person in the Miami Design District. The presentation will have a strong digital component to audiences worldwide to experience this special collaboration.

Source: PR Newswire

The post Lexus Collaborates with Africa’s Tosin Osinowo and Chrissa Amuah for Conceptual Design first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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When a Super Hero is your muse, the results can be amazing. And Lexus is proving just that with two new vehicles inspired by its team-up with Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther”—a 2018 LC Inspiration Series production car and a concept coupe dubbed the Black Panther Inspired LC. The Black Panther Inspired LC concept coupe is a celebration of the Black Panther and Wakanda itself—complete with a powertrain that gets an extra boost from vibranium, the mythical ore found only in the Black Panther’s home of Wakanda.

The limited-edition 2018 Lexus LC Inspiration Series features an exclusive deeply saturated, iridescent Structural Blue color. This vehicle is the first in a succession of Inspiration Series vehicles Lexus plans to create for each of its flagship models.

“The Inspiration Series takes our flagship products and makes them even more exclusive and distinguished,” said Brian Bolain, General Manager, Lexus marketing. “Our collaboration with Marvel Studios’ ‘Black Panther’ features a technologically advanced blue LC and was the perfect inspiration for the first car in the Series.”  

“With this vehicle,” Bolain added, “we took the LC Inspiration Series vision one step further into a universe that defies reality.”

“This is what it’s all about,” said Mindy Hamilton, Marvel’s SVP of global partnerships & marketing. “We’re bringing our two worlds together by letting our imaginations run wild like there are no limits to what’s possible. That’s what Black Panther and the nation of Wakanda represent in the film, and it’s been incredible to work with Lexus as we attempt to re-create that ideology here in our own corner of the universe.”­­

The first vehicle in Lexus’ Inspiration Series is a limited-edition 2018 Lexus LC, celebrating the attributes of sophistication, performance and innovation embodied by the Black Panther character, King T’Challa, and his home country of Wakanda. With only 100 slated to be sold in the U.S., the Lexus LC Inspiration Series features a first-of-its-kind paint technique called Structural Blue. Inspired by the morpho butterfly, the paint is developed through an eight-month process. While the paint contains no actual blue pigment, its unique construction reflects blue light and highlights the vehicle’s dynamic design and features to produce a compelling motion effect even when parked. A more in-depth look at the technology can be found here.

The second is the Black Panther Inspired LC Car. Fit for a Super Hero who is also a king, this vehicle is part Lexus Takumi craftsmanship, part Wakandan vibranium engineering and all badass.

This concept vehicle incorporates (mythical) vibranium into its very core to provide added boost.  Much like Black Panther’s uniform, the sheet metal of the Black Panther Inspired LC is reinforced with a layer of vibranium weave, making the vehicle almost entirely bulletproof.  Top-secret refinement processes also allow for a self-sustaining fueling component (vibranium-powered core) that enhances the Black Panther Inspired LC’s driving dynamics.

The Inspiration Series LC will be available in Spring 2018 and pricing will be announced closer to that time. However, the Black Panther Inspired LC is not available for purchase.

Source: Lexus 

The post Lexus Introduces Two Exclusive New Vehicles Inspired by Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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