Author: Jack Evans

Car manufacturers like to produce other products to show they can apply their technological know-how in all areas. Sometimes it’s bicycles, other times furniture and, just occasionally, boats.

The maritime industry marks an entry into the peak of ‘lifestyle products’ for car firms. Whereas a motor vehicle is a necessity for most, a boat is something to enjoy and relax in – which is exactly why car makers want to be associated with them.

Here, we’ve taken a look at some of the most impressive boats car firms have created.

Peugeot Sea Drive Concept
£Priceless – one off concept

Whereas Peugeot is more often thought of as a producer of compact, value-for-money hatchbacks, the French manufacturer teamed up with Beneteau to showcase that it could indeed build boats too.

The cockpit uses styling cues from Peugeot cars, including the small steering wheel – that features control buttons for major functions – and iCockpit infotainment system from the 3008 and 5008. It’s a dramatic looking thing, and is leagues away from anything that Peugeot sells today.

Aston Martin AM37S
£1.22m

Aston Martin has a distinct heritage of creating luxurious, powerful and hugely desirable motor cars – and this year it applied those traits to a yacht, with the AM37S.

Built in collaboration with Quintessence Yachts, the twin 512bhp-engined AM37S is capable of 50 knots – around 57mph.

Aston also let its craftsmen loose on the yacht, resulting in a boat with a high-quality cabin, while the main windscreen has been created from a single piece of glass to give it an all-encompassing look.

Lexus Sport Yacht
£Priceless – one off concept

The Sport Yacht marked a new direction for Lexus – typically behind the production of economical hybrid and petrol-powered cars.

Powered by two Lexus V8 engines, it certainly has performance on its side, with each producing 440bhp and meaning the Sport Yacht can achieve 43 knots, nearly 50mph.

As well as being fast, it has been designed to be practical. There’s a stove, sink and fridge inside as well as enough room for eight people.

Marauder AMG GT S
£1.3m

Legendary tuners AMG and Cigarette Racing Team have teamed up on many occasions, but this Marauder AMG speed boat really stands out.

Not only does it look incredible, but it’s fast too! Powered by a pair of 1,528bhp engines, it can hit an incredible 135mph.

You get Bluetooth connectivity and a premium audio system – though whether or not you’ll be able to hear it while travelling at more than 100mph on water is another question.

Bugatti Niniette 66
£2.99m

Built by Palmer Johnson in collaboration with Bugatti, the Niniette 66’s design takes distinct cues from the new Chiron – the side profile of the boat follows the same lines as the hypercar.

The Niniette features a double bed, flat-screen television and a carbon-fibre television while twin V8 engines can power it along to 51mph. The boat’s moniker derives from the pet name given by Bugatti’s founder Ettore Bugatti to his youngest daughter, Lidia.

James Bond, the suave, Martini-swilling British spy is usually found behind the wheel of an elegant, swooping sports car – think Lotus Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Me, or Aston Martin DB10 in Spectre.

However, what do the vast majority of 007’s cars have in common? They all use petrol power.

With the real-life car industry moving towards electrification and away from combustion engines, shouldn’t Q-branch start issuing Bond with an electric-powered performance car instead? We’ve picked five electric cars that would look the part in any-high speed car chase with Bond behind the wheel.

Jaguar E-Type Zero

British? Check. Two seats? Check. Convertible? Check. Straight from the off, the Jaguar E-Type Zero appears to be the perfect electrified Bond car.

Based on a regular 1968 E-Type, the Zero uses an electric powertrain developing 220kW, allowing it to hit 60mph in under six seconds.

It’s also got all of the charisma required for a Bond car, but remains elegant and understated. Bond has, interestingly, never driven an E-Type before, so this would be its first appearance in the franchise.

Tesla Roadster

With Tesla at the forefront of electric car technology, its latest Roadster makes for an ideal high-speed transport option for Bond.

With a claimed 0-60mph time of under two seconds, 007 would be one of the fastest things on the road – and far quicker than any pursuing baddies.

In addition, Tesla claims that the Roadster will be able to do 620 miles on a single charge, so cross-continent jaunts shouldn’t be any cause for concern.

Morgan EV3

Traditional, but effective – traits that describe both James Bond and this – Morgan’s new EV3 electric 3 Wheeler.

Though far more compact than most Bond cars, the Morgan is likely to provide as grand an entrance as any Aston Martin.

In addition to a 34.9kW electric motor, the EV3’s low centre of gravity gives it excellent cornering abilities, while coach-built bodywork gifts it with a level of exclusiveness that is needed by any Bond car.

BMW i8

Though the BMW i8 has been around for a little while now, there are very few cars like it on the road today for sheer other-worldly looks.

Its gullwing doors, stylish aerodynamics and powerful hybrid powertrain all put it firmly into Bond car territory.

It’ll hit 60mph in under five seconds, only topping out at 155mph – enough performance for any mountain road chase. We could easily see Q-branch fitting rocket launchers at either side, too.

Honda Sports EV

Arguably one of the most stylish electric vehicles to be revealed in 2017, the Sports EV from Honda would be well suited to life with 007 behind the wheel.

Low-slung and compact, the Sports EV shows what the future of electrified sports cars could look like – and what the future of Bond vehicles could be too.

It would be the first time that a Honda would have appeared in the films, giving Bond an all-new mode of transport.