Collectable industrial design doesn't come much more beautiful or enjoyable than this new Special Edition Riva. Constructed by the world’s most iconic boat building company and styled by Marc Newson, one of the most celebrated designers in the world, this beautiful Aquariva will be on show at Masterpiece 2012, an exclusive art, design and antiques exhibition from 27 June to 04 July in the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea.

Aquariva

The work of Australian, Marc Newson, is well known to connoisseurs of fine design, from his exclusive furniture and watches, to large-scale commercial projects such as his aircraft seats and departure lounge for Qantas. A common theme in his work is known as ‘biomorphism’, where contours, forms and patterns are inspired by the organic, ‘living’ shapes of the natural world. This is all about undulating curves, so the lines of the Aquariva were immediately attractive to Newson.

Newson’s reinterpretation of the Aquariva draws on both the current model (see our review Aquariva Super: a classic sportscar on water) and its forebear from the 1960s, the legendary Riva Aquarama. For the foredeck and instrument panel, in place of traditional wood, Newson has used a phenolic composite, a wood-like, textile-based laminate that first made an appearance in his furniture designs in 2007. A precursor to fibreglass, this material was developed in the first half of the 20th century and while it has an organic feel, it is much more durable than wood.

Elsewhere, the wrap-around tinted windscreen is made from a single piece of laminated glass, while the cleats and other deck fittings are constructed from anodised aluminium. There are separate driver and passenger seats, and the interior can be upholstered in a choice of bold colours that are typically Newson, including a vivid turquoise that recalls the colour scheme of the original Aquarama.

Driven by a pair of 380hp Yanmar 6 LY3/UTP engines, with a shaft system and two-speed automatic gearboxes, the Aquariva can reach speeds of 41 knots, with a useable range of 150 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 36 knots. There will only be 22 of these craft built and they are available to buy at £770,000 plus VAT. Visit Ventura Europe  for further details.

 

Written by: Alex Smith
Alex Smith is a journalist, copywriter and magazine editor with a long history in boating and a happy addiction to the water. He’s worked on boats, lived on boats, bought boats, sold boats and – when he’s not actually on board a boat – he can generally be found in his Folkestone office, tapping away at the computer and gazing out to sea.