Yanmar just announced that it is building a new flagship X47 Express cruiser that will have more than a fleeting reference to world-class automobile design. Indeed, Ken Okuyama, who designed the new Yanmar X47, also worked for Pininfarina for many years, and in 2016 transformed a Ferrari 599 to the customized kode57 (see picture above), although only five were ever built.
The X47 Express is scheduled to be launched at the end of this year, and it already has been named the Official VIP Cruiser of the next America’s Cup in Auckland, New Zealand. It is Yanmar’s second express model, following the introduction of the X39 earlier this year.
“With its sleek hull and bold character lines, the X47 has the look of a powerboat,” Okuyama said, “but inside you will discover that there is a lot of space like that of a well-designed cabin cruiser.”
We don’t have many details yet but the boat will have two cabins with en suite heads, and it will be powered by three Yanmar sterndrives.
Okuyama said that the hull and deck of the new X47 will be built by hand “to eliminate that parting line in between.” He also said that the express cruiser’s low center of gravity and the design of its radar arch were designed with a luxury sports car in mind.
The X47’s helm station will have analog instrument gauges on dual screens. “The analog gauges provide the look of a classic sports car cabin,” Okuyama said. “They represent something romantic about the past.” Read more:
http://yanmar.com/global/about/x47
