Premier debut of 4 extraordinary new offerings at the Cannes Festival, among them two flagships, Azimut Grande and Atlantis. 20 boats on the water and the debut of the Yachtique Concierge Club, a 5- star service reserved exclusively for Group customers.
The Success of Azimut Grande and Benetti: megayacht sector spurs Group growth and garners international awards.
Azimut-Benetti Group arrives at the first official event of the new boating year with 4 important new offerings, each one representing a specific market segment: the Azimut 40, Azimut 45, Atlantis 58, and the Azimut Grande 120SL.
The four boats are the crown jewels of the large fleet on display at the Cannes International Boat & Yacht Show, with Azimut-Benetti combined exhibiting 20 different models.
Expectations are high for the two flagships with Azimut Grande 120SL by far the largest boat built by Azimut to date and the Atlantis 58, while staying true to its sporty and punchy image, displaying a one of a kind versatility.
The Azimut Grande 120SL is the first megayacht in the Azimut Grande series to be really Sport Luxury, truly capable of uniting sportiness with elegance and comfort: the result is clear. The continuity between the inside and outside generates uniquely luminous and refined spaces enjoying the yacht and the sea without limits also thanks to the power of the water jets which can deliver cruising speeds of between 36 and 40 knots.
As the Atlantis 58, the sporty and care for ergonomics typical of the brand have in this new model their highest exaltation, making it the top of its class for dynamism and versatility.
About performance, Atlantis 58 differs from competitors by being able to reach 38 knots and keep the sea very well, thanks to its new hull design. A pioneer through the changes that have radically transformed the international boating market scene in just a few years: today, the Azimut-Benetti group has a hand in everything, taking a leadership role in all the most promising markets in the industry.
On this front, it is important to emphasize how quickly the Group has been able to redefine the scope of its business activities, and in turn, how this has altered the source of the Group’s sales. In pole position today is Brazil, followed by the United States (where the company continues to be the top importer), with the two countries accounting for over 50% total sales. The Group records also a continuous growth in the Middle and Far East markets, with a special focus on China.
The strong focus on internationalisation has generated extremely gratifying results for all Group brands. This has been reflected in the increase in sales of Azimut Yachts in the United States, numerous international awards - including being ranked first place in China by the magazine, China Boating - as well as the firsts related to the brand’s green approach, investing significant resources to adopting technological and construction solutions aimed at reducing environmental impact.
The revamping of the Atlantis series has been happily proceeding over the course of the year with 2 new models, the 58 and the 38; the latter is headed for a preview at the Genoa Boat Show.
Particularly noteworthy are Benetti’s excellent accomplishments, delivering 14 yachts (10 Class and 4 Custom) over the course of the year and receiving orders for over 17 new boats. These numbers are the real proof of the boatyard’s manufacturing and organisational capacity, the high quality of Benetti offerings, and how successful it has been in completely revamping the series.
In this regard, attention should be also drawn to the launch of the new series of custom yachts, the FB 800, a 50 metre fibreglass boat with aluminium superstructure. It represents an innovative combination that unites maximum design flexibility and space customisation with the substantial advantage of keeping the total weight below 500 tons.
Further indications of the excitement circulating around the brand can also be found in the recent opening of a service in the United States. This has been launched to better track the post sales phase in the North American market which is in recovery in terms of the mega yacht sector. In addition, a direct sales and service office is opening in Hong Kong to be work with the Asian markets which have also been very receptive to megayacht sector.
Regarding the development of new models, it should be noted that once again the Group has met its objective to continually renew itself; because of this, it is ready for the autumn season with over 9 new boats.
There are also new offerings in terms of service. The Group is working through Yachtique, a dedicated division that has chosen the Cannes Festival to present the world premier of the Yachtique Concierge Club.
Unique in the boating world, the Club is exclusively reserved for Azimut-Benetti boat owners who can take advantage of the 5-star service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The service ranges from booking reservations for restaurants, cars, and private chefs, to up to the minute weather forecasts worldwide. It also takes care of buying and delivering groceries as well as offering a wide range of significant discounts related to fuel, boating services such as winter storage, motor inspections, and supplying a tender.
"Our consistency continues to reward us," Group President, Paolo Vitelli says, adding, "Today we are stronger than ever, thanks to our ability to read the market ahead of our competitors, the extraordinary satisfaction that our boats are registering throughout the market, and finally to the excellent service that we are able to offer our clients around the world".
Azimut-Benetti is the leading and most prestigious builder of mega yachts in the world. The Group, which includes the prestigious brands Azimut Yachts, Azimut Grande, Benetti and Atlantis, each addressing a distinct segment of the boating market, and Yachtique, the division exclusively dedicated to boat owner services, also headed by Fraser Yachts. The Group operates in 68 countries around the world through a sales network of 138 offices.
PRODUCT INFORMATIONAzimut 40
The offspring of the Azimut 38 inherits its predecessor’s perfect proportions and harmonious lines, significantly improving upon the quality of the outdoor spaces. It is an airy boat that appears bigger than its actual size thanks to the masterful use of every square inch. The two cabins, two bathrooms, and galley with a large living area on the main deck ensure a comfortable on board experience; yet, it is really the outside where space is optimized to the fullest. On the flybridge, the dinette can be converted into a sunpad - a key feature - and there is also a bow sunpad on the deck. The stern platform includes an electric lifting mechanism for hauling or launching the tender.
The Azimut 40 is equipped with two 355 mhp Cummins engines with V-drive transmission with a peak speed of 31 knots and cruising speed (under medium load) of 26 knots. Like every other yacht in the Azimut collection, the Azimut 40 can be fitted with Easy Docking, the computerised system which controls the two engines and bow propeller complete with a joystick to guide the boat into the dock. It can also come complete with Easy HandlingTM, the cruising assist system which reduces rudder pressure while at speed and improves the turning radius
Azimut 45
The new Azimut 45 is without a doubt the most highly evolved flybridge of its size on the market.
The design features innovative solutions. This is especially true when it comes to the living area layout; the original galley placement is original and the cabin distribution easily adapts to the two or three cabin versions, each with a commodious VIP cabin amidships.
Outside, there is a spacious flybridge, a veritable terrace on the sea; it includes a modular section to the stern, an over 12 square metre area which can be reconfigured for an entirely new look by simply adjusting a few elements. Great design work is also on display in the cockpit, which comes with a folding table that can be stored in the sofa and a 50-litre refrigerator or icemaker. The swimming platform can be either fixed or retractable, which is also useful when hauling or launching the tender. The central living room comes with two large sofas and a pouf, thus accommodating eight people. The main sofa can be converted into a double bed. The table height can be adjusted via an electrical mechanism.
Below deck in the three-cabin version there is a cabin with overlapping berths, which bring the total number of beds to eight, including the dinette sofa. The galley is quite large, but what really makes it so special is its location; whoever is working in the kitchen can interact with people at the dinette or at the steering station, which is in keeping with the modern concept of cooking being a time of shared enjoyment and socialising during on-board life.
The Azimut 45 can be fitted out with two 425 or 480 mhp Cummins engines with peak speeds, respectively, of 30 and 32 knots. The boat has a Class B rating and can carry 12 persons.
Atlantis 58
The convincing and innovative approach of the new Atlantis flagship makes it the best example of the "open yacht" concept on the market. The new sporty line, already visible in the Atlantis 48 and 44, is only enhanced by this model’s larger size. The high sides capped with a seemingly compact superstructure give this boat a unique, elegant personality with its muscular features and streamlined profile. Through ergonomics - a hallmark of Atlantis designs - special attention has been given to making life on board especially pleasant, even on long trips. All spaces are generously sized and flexible: from the cockpit with its teak table which seats up to 10, to the three sunpads on the deck, to the exceedingly liveable spaces like the dinette and spacious galley, with boat owner and VIP cabins. Yet, it is the third cabin which has the greatest surprise in store: depending on the boat owner’s needs, this can be fitted out as studio, a guest cabin, a multimedia entertainment room, or a fitness room. The sporty styling of the new 58 is backed up by its performance: in the version with two 1200 CV MAN engines, the peak speed is 38 knots, a truly remarkable feat for a 58 foot boat. This speed is matched by first class equipment: the brand new keel concept was designed based on careful research into deadrise angles and waterlines, for enhanced performance even in rough seas. To facilitate handling, the wheelhouse is located practically at the centre of the boat; this placement improves visibility and gives the pilot and co-pilot plenty of room.
Azimut Grande 120SL
Experiencing the sea and the yacht without limits is the primary ambition of this new luxury jewel in the Azimut Grande collection, setting the bar for those seeking to unite luxury and sportiness.
Unmistakeable style, liveability, and unparalleled comfort are among the key features of the new Azimut Grande 120SL, with the impressive continuity of inside and outside spaces paramount. This intention is immediately tangible when you climb aboard, with the cockpit and living area experienced as a single space, reducing the distinction between inside and outside until it practically disappears. The main deck is an area where boat owners can freely express their taste and personalise the furnishings, all the while drawing upon the design experience of the boatyard.
Azimut’s lower deck layout is a perfect example of high liveability; the roomy boat owner cabin (43 m2) is equipped with separate bathrooms and large glassed windows, and there are three guest cabins.
Even the exterior is designed and constructed to offer the best possible vacation experience. Towards the bow, a small sitting room and two large sunpads allow for total relaxation, while a flybridge creates an additional outside living area equipped with a steering station, Jacuzzi, and dinette sofa.
The garage, among the largest in this category, can house a tender of up to 5.5 metres and two jet skis up to 2.9 metres in length.
Demonstrating its sportiness, the Azimut Grande 120SL is powered by three, 16 cylinder, 35.7 litre MTU engines, each capable of delivering 2400 hp at 2450 rpm. The three engines are paired with two Rolls Royce water jets - KaMeWa side water jets and a central booster - for true thoroughbred performance: Maximum speed is 36 knots with acceleration and handling unusual for a unit of this size, thanks also to the high quality electronic assistance system on board.
