The industry newcomer, founded by former VW Group chief strategy officer Michael Jost, just unveiled a high-performance electric RIB capable of soaring across the high seas at breakneck speeds.Car of the Week: The Last Porsche 917 to Race at Le Mans Could Fetch $5.4 Million at Auction. The German designer began building carbon sailing yachts and catamarans in 2007 but is now working on a c-Ultra series ranging from 22 to 55 feet.
Spanning 31 feet, the inaugural RIB is equipped with eD-TEC’s revolutionary electric propulsion system that enables fast and furious cruising with zero noise and zero emissions. The fully integrated eD-QDrive 1 provides up to 400 kW of power to the surface-piercing propellers that push the boat to a cruising speed of 30 knots and a top speed of 50 knots. Jost says the boat can also be fitted with hydrofoils to improve seakeeping and range.
Speaking of range, the RIB features more than 100 kWh of batteries that allow it to cover up to 30 nautical miles on a single charge. The vessel is compatible with both standard and fast charging, with the latter getting the batteries back to 80 percent in just 40 minutes. To top it off, the c-ultra sports an advanced Technology Stack and AI box that receives over-the-air updates so that the propulsion system is constantly improved.
As for aesthetics, the c-ultra will be available in multiple colors and layouts. As standard, the boat features a central helm with two seats, a forward storage compartment, a large aft bathing platform with a sun pad, and a hardtop for protection from the elements. Owners could add a modular sun pad, two additional forward-facing seats, a head with a shower, a forward console seat, a table, and a fridge.
“The eD 32 c-ultra is going to be a game-changer both for us and for the boating market,” Jost concludes.Rachel Cormack is a digital editor at Robb Report. She cut her teeth writing for HuffPost, Concrete Playground, and several other online publications in Australia, before moving to New York at the…Car of the Week: The Last Porsche 917 to Race at Le Mans Could Fetch $5.