Aston Martin to launch AM37 this year

When it comes to boats, auto designers have been a tad laggard jumping out of the blocks. But now, finally, after much fanfare and tooling around, it looks like Aston Martin is poised to release its much-trumpeted and long-awaited AM37 James-Bond-style sport yacht.

In cahoots with Quintessence Yachts, the AM37 that we reported on last year is said to be a "powerboat created to capture the performance, handling, comfort and style synonymous with Aston Martin."

While the sharp-shooting sport yacht won't actually splash till later this year, we're told, the bosses of both AM Brands and Quintessence Yachts staged a joint press conference at the recent Milan Design Week, Salone del Mobile, revealing the final details of the design.

Strangely, this has been a big week for luxury auto makers floating their concept boats. Mercedes Benz now has the jump following real-life sea trials last week off the Côte d'Azur, Nice, of its 14m-long 40-knot Arrow460-Granturismo
with 960hp turbocharged Yanmar engines.

The Arrow460-Granturismo is designed and built by Silver Arrows Marine in the UK, but with Daimler AG say and sway in the lines and coupe-like layout.

Back behind the wheel of the virtual AM37 we find a sportier and perhaps more complementary sport yacht for the Aston Martin and Quintessence Yachts marques.

Said to be the result of years of research and development, the hot AM37 yacht was designed to challenge the status quo of the nautical world while using the universal characteristics of style and elegance.

The gushy press release says the core of the AM37 offers "the perfect balance of design and engineering, performance and comfort, luxury and functionality."

Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman said: "It is true that a beautiful, simple shape is critical to a product’s success but it must also have drama, which is provided by surface language, proportions, and through the choice of exciting materials.

"The most important attribute for Aston Martin is the language of design and we have transferred this language into AM37. The new powerboat represents the ideal combination of luxurious and technical materials, generating a powerful yet understated finished product.”

Quintessence Yachts Chief Executive Officer, Mariella Mengozzi chimed in: "At Quintessence Yachts we translate design in functionality and technology to enhance the customer experience. We’re proud to present elements of the AM37 at Milan Design Week, a boat that represents an entirely new concept for the yachting world."

AM Brands Managing Director, Katia Bassi concluded: "The Salone del Mobile is the perfect setting to showcase the design of the AM37, another exceptional project from Aston Martin’s Art of Living portfolio. We are excited to share the fine details and design of the powerboat ahead of its launch later this year."

Test to come and possible shoot-out between the Mercedes and Aston Martin on the Med' thereafter. Meantime, more at www.astonmartin.com.