Mercedes-Benz tests 960hp luxury Arrows Marine yacht

Key Points
>> 14m long dayboat designed for 10 that does 40 knots
>> 960hp via twin turbocharged Yanmar six-cylinder diesel engines
>> Retractable windows with switchable electric privacy glass
>> Weekending accommodation below decks including bathroom and separate dresser
>> Wine cellar and ice maker and retractable tables and sunbeds
>> Eucalyptus joinery lines interior with incredible attention to detail
>> Auto-inspired design lines for sensual purity on the water
>> Designer says "hot and cool in one" and "stands for emotion and intelligence"

The stunning results of a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz Style and Silver Arrows Marine have just been realised during sea trials off the South of France.

The new 14-metre long Arrow460–Granturismo day-boat and weekender packs 960hp in an expression of "sensual purity on the water."

The svelte luxury motor yacht has just completed its maiden voyage off the coast of Nice on the Côte d'Azur and the designers are gushing.

The first example of this new elite class of boat, aptly christened Mercedes, is a completely new concept designed to wow from the word get-go.

The 14-metre long, 706 kW (960hp) "Silver Arrow of the Seas" has been bred to combine the performance of Mercedes-Benz sports cars with unique innovations from the boating industry.

The yacht is said to have classic automobile proportions that bring the hallmark Mercedes design idiom of sensual purity onto the water in a highly emotional and dynamic form.

The yacht also combines the advantages of an open boat with those of a hull cabin cruiser in a unique fashion. The crossover boat design is said to be equally suitable for day trips as overnight onboard stays, Mercedes says.

DAMILER'S VISION
"In developing the new motor yacht, we have transferred our expertise to the marine industry, creating something never seen before in the process. The Silver Arrow of the Seas stands for modern luxury, avant-garde style and comfortable elegance," said Gorden Wagener, Vice President Design Daimler AG.

"The yacht embodies the Mercedes-Benz's progressive, dynamic design philosophy of sensual purity on the water. Or, to put it another way, it is hot and cool in one, and stands for emotion and intelligence," Wagener enthused.

"Together with Silver Arrows Marine we have managed to develop a totally new boat concept. By virtue of maximum variability, the yacht combines the advantages of an open boat with the generous interior and privacy of a cabin cruiser.

"It weds charismatic design with perfect functionality, much in the same way as is familiar from our road vehicles.

"As such, the Arrow460–Granturismo is sure to cause a stir on the seas and at marinas throughout the world in the coming years."

FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION
The 14-metre long, 706 kW (960 hp) luxury motor yacht Arrow460–Granturismo can accommodate up to 10 persons.

The large side windows are retractable and the windscreen can be raised. This means that passengers can sit comfortably in the interior while enjoying an all-round view and the feeling of sitting in the open. Tables and beds are extendable, and therefore available as and when required.

Mercedes says superior comfort is assured by a luxurious bathroom unit and separate dressing room.

As standard the yacht is said to be equipped with every feature an owner might wish for. Apart from an air conditioning system and a high-quality audio system, it has a wine-cellar and an ice-making machine.

Mercedes-Benz Style's innovative aspirations also embrace the choice of materials.

Wood serves to line the entire interior, rather than using this material as a conventional floor covering. As a result of this three-dimensional application of wood, the fine grain of the eucalyptus follows the overarching forms of the interior lining, underscoring the overall flow of the interior.

The floor covering takes the form of an industrial, sustainable composite material featuring a specific flowing décor and a harmonious colour combination.

The glazing is said to be unique in two respects: the luminous transmittance can be controlled electronically, along the same lines as the Mercedes-Benz Magic Sky technology; at the same time, the silver-shimmering glazing blends apparently seamlessly into the overall profile, as on the Mercedes-Benz concept vehicles F015 and Concept IAA.

This avant-garde appearance underscores the sculptural and innovative character of the Arrow460-Granturismo.

The exterior design boasts clear contours and smooth surfaces. In a dynamic and sophisticated way, the muscular, extended hull accentuates the sensual purity of the design.

With its long foredeck, a flowing, arched roofline and a slightly descending rear, the yacht has classic automobile proportions.

The sides of the hull are structured with a feature line descending gently towards the stern. The concave and convex interaction along the entire flank creates a highly sculptural hull that conveys both dynamism and serenity.

The overall composition is accentuated by elegantly styled yet functional details. Great attention has been paid to the handrails, for example, which are perfectly integrated into the roofline.

SILVER ARROWS MARINE
Silver Arrows Marine Chairman Ron Gibbs
said: "Almost everything about Arrow460-Granturismo is unique, from its
concept to the smallest bespoke detail.

"It is a motor yacht
with a personality that truly embraces life, combining the best marine
engineering with the inspired innovations and elegance that the world
associates with the Mercedes-Benz name.

"By merging marine and
automotive worlds, with their respective design language, technologies
and ideas, we have created a new standard of motor yacht, unlike all
others."

Silver Arrows Marine builds innovative luxury motor yachts whose unique
design purity captures the sporting elegance of today’s finest
Granturismo automobiles.

Partnered by Mercedes-Benz Style and some of
the world’s foremost marine architects and suppliers, the first
Arrow460-Granturismo, unveiled in spring 2016, introduces a completely
new way of looking at, and living with, a 14m motor yacht,
re-configuring it to embrace life with an abundance of light, space and
hi-tech functionality.

Silver Arrows Marine is a UK registered company
whose yachts are only available through its sales subsidiary. Test to come...

Specifications: Arrow460-Granturismo
Total Length: 14.14 metres
Hull Length: 13.85 metres
Draught: 0.93 metres
Maximum Boat Width: 3.97 metres
Maximum Displacement: 13.58 tonnes
Fuel Tank Capacity: 1200 litres
Water Tank Capacity: 500 litres
Drive System: 2 x Yanmar 6LY3-ETP diesel engines, each rated at 353 kW (480 hp)
Cruising Speed: 28 to 30 knots (in calm seas)
Top Speed: 40+ knots (with light load)
Design Category: Class B