Volkswagen has announced it is teaming up with solar yacht manufacturer Silent Yachts to build a solar-powered catamaran.
The Silent 50 yacht will feature Volkswagen’s modular e-drive system (MEB) powertrain and solar panels as the main power source. Up to six batteries will be installed per yacht, enabling 500 kW of power, giving the Silent 50 the ability to cruise all night non-stop. As of yet there is no news of how much power its solar panels will produce. It will also have a diesel generator as an emergency backup.
Although generally associated with the automotive industry Volkswagen is a long-term player in the marine industry, having produced diesel and petrol-powered engines for motor and sailing boats in the past. It is now translating the strides it has made in electric motoring in recent years, in 2020 Volkswagen delivered more electric vehicles worldwide than ever before, into the nautical arena. We have already seen late last year another German shipyard, Alva Yachts, using Volkswagen technology in its Eco Cruise 50 electric yacht.
German-based Silent Yachts are a well-established manufacturer of eco-friendly yachts. Its flagship 24m (80ft) Silent 80 catamaran won the company the nickname “The Tesla of the Seas” and is part of an impressive fleet. They are also notable for producing the first fully solar-powered production yacht, the Silent 64.
Michael Köhler, founder and CEO of Silent-Yachts, is excited about the prospect of working with Volkswagen, saying: “I’m happy to cooperate with our partners on this exciting new project. Volkswagen Group is one of the most advanced players on the electric cars market and I am sure together we can make something really special on the water.”
The yacht has been designed by VW owned Cupra brand, and offers a more futuristic look than Silent Yacht’s typical design.
It is hoped the first Silent 50 model will be ready to hit the water in 2022, with plans for at least 50 units of the yacht to be produced each year within four years of the launch.
Catamaran yachts, also known as multihulls, are one of the oldest established yacht designs and are notable for offering lots of deck space. If you are interested in making a purchase, then you can view all multihull yachts for sale.
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