World Premiere: Riviera 515 SUV

The new sleek and sporty 515 SUV made her world premiere at the Riviera Festival of Boating at Coomera on the Gold Coast amid an impressive line-up of luxury craft from the Riviera and Belize Motoryacht fleets.

Described as a true entertainer’s delight, the 515 is the third generation in Riviera’s cross-over SUV range which combines the high-performance, bluewater cruising and fish-raising abilities of the classic Riviera Flybridge with the single-level leisurely entertaining features of the Sport Yacht series.

Speaking at the launch, Riviera’s chairman and owner Rodney Longhurst said: "The striking exterior profile of the 515 SUV is just the first indication that this is an entirely new style of Riviera,” Mr Longhurst said. “From the moment you step onboard you will sense this is a new approach – double transom doors in the cockpit allow better access from both the port and starboard sides, plus we have a number of different transom door options to suit different boating applications for cruising or sport fishing."

The cockpit features an island storage centre which offers space for an optional additional barbecue and live-bait tank. The cockpit seating features an optional integrated and interchangeable table, providing a versatile alfresco entertaining area. There is a refrigerated cool box and recycling bin located just behind the cockpit lounge for convenient access while entertaining, and a central self-draining moulded lazarette bin has been integrated into the cockpit floor, alongside the fish bin.

Side deck access has been enhanced with well-placed grab rails and optional extended bow rail. The 515 SUV also features an impressive commercial air intake system designed to keep the engine room cooler, thus reducing fuel consumption even further than that already achieved through the innovative Volva Penta IPS system.

Riviera CEO Wes Moxey said the 515 SUV has been created in-house using industry-leading Unigraphics 3D software which has ensured every millimetre of available space is utilised to its full potential throughout the entire boat.

"The modern and functional U-shaped galley features a modern two-pack finish to the overhead cupboards, which compliment the satin-finish American oak timber cabinetry," said Mr Moxey.

"There is an awning window that opens out to the cockpit area that in effect opens up the rear of the boat to the cockpit. In the headlining above the galley there is a rod locker, making this the ideal vessel for the avid angler or cruising entertainer."

The 515 SUV’s spacious saloon features an L-shaped lounge to port with a hi-lo dining table which folds and lowers into a coffee table. Adjacent to the dining area is an optional three-seater settee in which the middle seat base can slide out as an ottoman and form additional seating around the main dining table. An optional smaller dining table can be fitted that lifts out from the settee and sits between the two remaining seats to form a work space or additional dining capacity.

Forward of the three-seater settee is the television and sound system – stored beneath the dash to starboard – for all your onboard entertainment needs. The television can be viewed from all saloon seating positions.

The 515’s elevated helm area provides excellent vision from its two Navigator low-back chairs, as well as enough space for two 16-inch display screens. There is easy access to all controls, including the helm joystick which is a key feature of the Volvo Penta IPS system.

A new feature of the 515 SUV’s hardtop is two impressive Webasto sunroofs above the saloon area that open electrically with the push of a button.

Below deck is a flexible accommodation plan featuring three very generous-sized staterooms and two bathrooms. The master stateroom can be located either forward or aft and has an ensuite bathroom in both optional layouts to allow owners to truly personalise their vessel. The two aft cabins offer full head-room while large hull windows with opening port holes on both sides give an abundance of natural light and fresh air. Optional hull port lights are available for the forward stateroom.

Standard power in the 515 SUV is the new-generation and fuel-efficient twin Volvo IPS 800 626hp pod drives featuring forward-facing, counter-rotating propellers.

There are two engine options available: twin Cummins Zeus QSC 600 600hp or twin Volvo Penta IPS 950 725hp.

Sea trials with the twin IPS 800s had the 515 SUV cruising at 28 knots with a top speed of 32 knots under full load (full fuel and water).

We will be bringing you a full test of the 515 SUV in the very near future.