Meet The James Bond Superyacht Concept That Can Disappear
For anyone who grew up dreaming of James Bond’s ’63 Aston Martin’ now has something new to dream about—the Carapace. As with any James Bond vehicle, the Carapace will be capable of things beyond the imagination, including disappearing.
Designed by Naval architect Elena Nappi of the Italian shipbuilding company, Fincantieri, the superyacht concept is a hybrid vessel engineered to cruise the high seas above and below water. The 256-foot boat is capable of diving to depths of 985 feet for up to 10 days at a time.
As with any luxury yacht, the Carapace features several beautiful on-deck entertainment areas, including a beach club complete with a pool, a spa, a gym and VIP cabins. However, what makes this dreamboat standout is its aluminum superstructure, which can be completely sealed up so that it can operate underwater. Talk about secret lair, diplomats and business bosses will be able to hold meetings in complete secrecy. When completely submerged, guests and passengers alike will be treated to spectacular underwater views.
The Carapace will be powered by a diesel-electric and fuel cell system that gives it a range of 2,400 miles. This powertrain would allow the boat to reach a top speed of 16 knots on the surface and 12 knots below it.
While this is just a concept, it’s a glimpse into the future of superyachts. If Nappi brings her James Bond dream to life, it’s expected to cost in the hundreds of millions, but for a submersible superyacht—it’s worth it.