Make waves in a superboat

(XAVIER WILSON)   

If you feel the need for speed, then the world’s fastest diesel engine powerboat, the XSR48, is the ride for you. And remember, on the sea you can go as fast as you want without having to worry about traffic jams and speed cameras.

Combining the DNA and performance of a supercar with super-yacht detailing, the XSR48, with its 1,600hp engines lets the driver eat up mile after nautical mile of sea at speeds of more than 70 knots.

The superboat, which made its Middle East debut at the recent Dubai International Boat Show, has already been dubbed “the most beautiful thing ever created by man” by BBC Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson.

The craft was conceptualised by Ian Sanderson, the founder and chief executive officer of XSMG Marine, a United Kingdom-based company. Sanderson himself is a record-holding powerboat racing enthusiast who has won at all levels – world, European and British – in international offshore endurance powerboat racing and is the current holder of 10 UIM World Endurance Speed Records.

Speaking to Emirates Business about this supercar of the sea, Sanderson said: “As a professional racer I’ve always felt that the marine industry lacked a F1-type powerboat that would be like the supercar of the sea, much in the same league as the Bugatti Veyron, the Ferrari Enzo or any other super sports car. I longed for a powerboat with the passion, technology, powerful performance and driving experience of an F1 car, so I decided to go ahead and make one. This boat took three long years to make, but we have done it.”

And Sanderson seems to have achieved what he set out to do because the XSR48 has been labelled the ‘Bugatti Veyron of the sea’ by many industry experts.

Capable of speeds of more than 70 knots in standard form, increasing to 85 knots with more power and a lighter specification, this $2.5 million (Dh9.18m) baby is powered by two 11.3-litre, six-cylinder bi-turbo diesel engines.

XSMG’s partners, Fabio Buzzi’s FB Design, High Modulus – the world’s leading marine composite engineering specialists – and award-winning super-yacht designers Redman Whiteley Dixon, have had their respective specialities seamlessly intertwined to craft a power vessel that delivers an unprecedented driving experience, finite handling and extraordinary cornering ability.

The XSR48’s unique hull structure has a special glass roof running the entire deck length and a fully enclosed driver’s view cockpit that forms a composite safety cell of carbon fibre and glass. The carbon-fibre composite monocoque construction provides immense strength to the structure.

“Now people can experience the speed and thrill of F1-style racing on the water, but with safety,” said Sanderson.

Another plus point is that the composite monocoque construction increases internal cabin space over a conventionally constructed powerboat by 40 per cent. The ergonomically designed cabin comes with the largest glass roof to be found on a powerboat of this size, filling the cabin with light.

A double berth, stylish leather sofas, an entertainment system incorporating the iPod classic and shower room complete the luxurious interior to provide the ultimate weekend lifestyle and entertainment platform.

Sanderson said: “Only 100 of these powerboats will ever be made and they can be customised according to the taste of the client. The price will go up with the customisation but this superboat is worth every bit of it as a lot of F1 technology has been used in order to achieve this amazing speed.

“In fact, a European actress we gave a test drive to recently, was so thrilled by the ride that she actually had to go and lie down to get over the adrenaline rush.”