AMG has fostered a collaboration with the Cigarette Racing company since 2007. Together, they have created some unique special edition boats engineered for both luxury and performance. Historically, AMG boats have included styling that mirrors special edition cars with power provided by Mercury Racing engines. The companies often implement weight-reducing carbon fiber and lightweight materials to enhance performance.
In 2018, the 515 Project ONE was created, featuring two quad-cam engines that made a total of up to 3100hp. Skip Braver, Cigarette Racing CEO, explained “Mercedes-AMG and Cigarette Racing both have racing as part of their DNA, which makes us natural partners to work together to continue to push the limits of design and high performance”. The most recent product of the collaboration is AMG’s six-engined Tiranna, a unique counterpart to the new G63.
Below we will discover some of AMG and Cigarette Racing’s most illustrious speed boats and their distinguished designs.
The Origins Of AMG-Inspired Boats
Mercedes-AMG has been collaborating with Cigarette Racing since 2007, commencing with joint marketing before moving to boat projects. Cigarette Racing became part of the AMG Private Lounge, which hosted a variety of lifestyle events to market performance cars and boats to prospective customers.
After being briefed on the upcoming SLS AMG in 2008, Cigarette Racing decided to develop a boat inspired by the new car’s design. Completed after a period of 18 months, the first boat to emerge from the partnership was the 46' “Inspired by AMG” Cigarette Boat.
Their second boat would commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the partnership. It was designed after the Mercedes-AMG GT R, the iconic car that made history when it lapped Nürburgring with a time of 7:04. Power is delivered by twin 1550/1350QC4v Mercury Racing engines that propel it to a top speed of approximately 140mph.
“We’ve worked well together since the beginning”, said Daimler AG chief designer Gorden Wagener, “but this Marauder was the most perfect yet in design and engineering”. Engineers were able to reduce hull weight by 1300lbs thanks to the use of carbon fiber and other lightweight materials; The 51’7” boat has a total weight of 13,200lbs.
The Unprecedented Electric Drive Concept
In 2013, the companies would release a revolutionary watercraft amidst their growing partnership. Shortly after unveiling a G63 inspired 42’ Huntress, AMG and Cigarette Racing presented the Electric Drive concept. Drawing inspiration from the SLS AMG Electric Drive, the 38’ boat has twelve electric motors. Each motor produces 185hp and 184 ft·lb for a combined 2220hp and 2212 lb-ft of torque.
Dual 22-kW chargers provide power to the four batteries which produce a total of 240kWh. A charge capacity of 44kW and time of 7 hours was originally stated; Equipped with additional chargers, the time could be reduced to under 3 hours. As of today, it does not appear that the Electric Drive concept ever went into production.
Most Powerful "Open Performance" Watercraft: 41' SD GT3
2016 marked an important milestone as Cigarette Racing released their most powerful "open performance" watercraft. Two Mercury Racing 1100 high-performance engines power the aptly named SD GT3, which derives its styling from the Mercedes-AMG GT3 car. At 41’, the boat weighs 19,000lbs and has a 350gal fuel capacity for a reasonable travel range. The interior is uniquely luxurious with triple Garmin touch screen displays, a JL Audio Premium system, and teak flooring throughout.
Innovative Design: Cigarette Racing 515 Project ONE
The 9th collaboration between AMG and Cigarette Racing was inspired by the Project ONE super sports car. This 51’5” boat couples a 140mph top speed with a six-passenger capacity. Carbon fiber forms the inner lining of the structure, while Kevlar and “E-glass” composites are integrated. While it is 10 feet longer than the GT3, its weight was reduced by 5000lbs.
Project ONE, revealed in 2018, is powered by two Mercury Racing 1350/1550 QC4v engines for a combined horsepower of 3100. These are “dual calibration” engines, which allow the owner to unlock extra power using the key fob. The Project ONE car, the main design inspiration for this boat project, uses a 1.6L turbo V6 with hybrid Formula 1 technology.
Materials Evolution: 41' AMG Carbon Edition
The 2019 Carbon Edition highlighted the evolution of AMG Cigarette Boats with the use of high quality, innovative materials. The 11th iteration of the partnership took styling cues from the GT63 4-door coupe. The car featured a V8 biturbo with 630hp and 663 lb-ft of torque; The Carbon edition generates 1600hp from four Mercury Racing 400R engines.
Weight reduction was a hallmark of the special edition design, which incorporated lightweight materials throughout. The boat's hull is constructed with carbon fiber laminates along with carbon fiber deck, rudder, hardtop, and roof lining. AMG claims a maximum speed of 142km/h. The exterior perfectly matches its automotive counterpart, incorporating the unique “designo graphite grey magno” color along with high shine-matte contrast throughout.
A New Generation: The 59' Tirranna AMG Edition
The 59’ Tirranna is the latest product of AMG-Cigarette Racing design, a yacht with 6 Mercury Racing 450R engines that make a total of 2700hp. The yacht closely mimics the 577-hp twin-turbo G63 with its gold-on-black paint scheme. It is part of the new "Hyperlux Console" lineup with a 26-passenger capacity.
Engineers have developed the technologies of the Tirranna to include SeaKeeper gyro stabilization, customization options, and nano-coated surfaces. The 59’ yacht was revealed at the 2020 Miami International Boat Show. Each is set to cost $3 million, with an optional package that includes a special edition G63.
Over time, both companies have sought to interweave their unique qualities in each collaborative product. AMG and the racing boat company have worked closely to develop the themed boats. According to Cigarette Racing, “the unmistakable influence of AMG can be seen in every angle of the boat but the crisp lines that make a Cigarette the top big water performer remain intact”. We can expect to see more high-performance boats emerging from this collaboration in the near future.
Sources: Mercedes-AMG, Cigarette Racing, Robb Report, Motor1