Brabus Ultima 55: 1,450 hp catamaran has hydrofoils and starts at US$ 3.7 million

Brabus, a German preparer known for the ‘poisoned’ Mercedes-Benz, presented its first catamaran: the Ultima 55, developed in partnership with the Polish Sunreef Yachts. There are 1,450 hp divided between two engines, hydrofoils that lift the hulls above the water and a price starting at US$ 3.7 million.

With 17 meters long and 5.6 meters wide, the boat departs from Sunreef’s Ultima platform and received the visual identity of the preparer: Graphite Black or Phantom Gray paint and carbon fiber appliqués on the front and rear wings, pillars, air vents, roof bars and lighting supports. At the rear, a carbon fiber spoiler on the roof helps distinguish it from a conventional Sunreef.

The deck that becomes a balcony

At anchor, the Ultima 55 opens up side platforms and extends the width of the deck to about 7.6 meters, which transforms the aft area into a terrace over the water. There are mattresses that fold to become sofas, a retractable carbon fiber table, an electric barbecue and a drinks counter. The outer shell is custom-made and offered in three shades: Graphite, Red and Pearl.

Inside, sofas and armchairs use Brabus Moonstone Masterpiece leather with triangular stitching, the ceiling is covered in Alcantara and there is wood and carbon fiber exposed. The floor features aluminum inserts and illuminated logos. The board list includes a Bowers & Wilkins sound system, a 43-inch television that emerges from a worktop and a full kitchen with induction cooktop, electric oven, sink, refrigerators and ice maker.

The standard configuration brings together a master suite, a VIP cabin and a crew cabin, with space for four guests. A second option swaps this arrangement for three simpler cabins and increases the capacity to six guests. At the command post, a large screen concentrates navigation data, vessel monitoring and on-board functions in an interface designed by Brabus.

Hydrofoils and the “feeling of flying”

Propulsion is in charge of two six-cylinder engines of 725 hp each, which take the catamaran to more than 40 knots, equivalent to about 74 km/h. The tanks hold 1,500 liters of fuel and 330 liters of fresh water.

The technical trump card is hydrofoils. According to the two companies, these surfaces generate lift under the waterline and lift the hulls as speed increases, which reduces drag, virtually eliminates lateral tilt and produces “the sensation of flying over water.” “We asked ourselves what a modern high-performance catamaran should look like,” Constantin Buschmann, Brabus’ chief executive and owner, said in a statement.

The Ultima 55 is the first boat born from the partnership with Sunreef, but it should not be the only nautical launch of the preparer this year. Brabus also closed an agreement with AB Yachts and promised to present new boats at the Monaco Nautical Show in September.