Italian yard Azimut has launched the first until in its Grande 30M series, with the ceremony held at the yard's historic Viareggio shipyard.
Bridging the gap between the Grande 26M and 36M, the 30-metre model was first announced by head of product design Federico Lantero at last year's Cannes Yachting Festival. Crucially, she is the first Azimut yacht to feature the new mtu propulsion system from Rolls-Royce, delivering a 15 per cent increase in efficiency compared to traditional systems and thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
In a full circle moment, she will be returning to the Festival this year for her grand debut.
Built extensively with carbon fibre and an innovative POD propulsion system, the Grande 30M is also classed as one of Azimut's "Low Emission Yachts", which "guarantee a reduction in consumption" and C02 emissions of 20 to 30 per cent, compared to models of similar size.
Exteriors are by long-standing collaborator Alberto Mancini, while interiors are courtesy of m2atelier, marking the shipyard's first collaboration with the Milanese design studio. Styled after different "architectural language[s]... from residential to contemporary art", initial renderings reveal a pared-back colour proposal of greys, creams and light woods. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a glass-panelled internal staircase allow living spaces to be airy and filled with natural light.
Those coming to Cannes this year will also be able to see the first example of an evolved "Infinity Skydeck", with Azimut now offering fully walk-around models (rather than semi). The upper deck runs flush from stern to bow, while full-height "disappearing" windows create an open-air veranda that connects the large aft lounge with the forward-facing infinity pool.
This model also has the yard's patented Deck2Deck Terrace, created by raising the teak hatch of the garage as a continuation of both the cockpit and the transom for a "terrace over the sea".
According to BOATPro, Azimut currently has 25 units in the Grande line on order or under construction.
Read More/Designer insight: First look inside m2Atelier's take on the Azimut Grande Trideck