on 27 Nov 2020
Powerful, sophisticated but surprisingly quiet, the Azimut S8 combines speed, style and silence in equal measure
We’re on Victoria Harbour, it’s the first beautiful autumn day after a long hot sticky summer in Hong Kong, the sky is deep blue, the humidity has edged down and on a sea trial of the Azimut S8 its Volvo engines are growling like caged animals.
That is until Paul Grange, director at Azimut Yachts Hong Kong, drops the engine room hatch with the kind of satisfying thunk normally reserved for Rolls Royce car doors.
The silence is so startling that I have to remark on it.
“I know, right?” says Paul. “Impressive isn’t it?” Almost impressive as the S8’s incredible turn of speed. Within a few seconds we’re doing 30 knots and churning up a beefy wake but even with the engines at full throttle, the engines have gone from a roar to a purr.
It’s this mixture of speed, style and power that is making waves for the S8 delivered by Azimut in 2020. It was a standout entrant in Cannes last year and joins the new S10, Azimut 78 and Atlantis 45 in the collection.
The yacht will take the place of the extremely successful 77S and features the exclusive combination of Carbon Tech.
“This Azimut is fitted with triple Volvo IPS engines which is particularly good for efficiency and power,” he told APB. “They’re super-charged which adds a lot of excitement to the performance and the triple-engine installation allows us to add a two-tender garage at the back.”
It’s this more compact engine room, that makes the S8’s layout one of a kind.
With style codes expressed by Alberto Mancini – one of the industry’s top freelance designers – the S8 is part of an Azimut collection that delivers elegance, modernity and power in equal measure.
The living quarters are spacious and efficient as they are stylish, comprising room for eight guests and three crew and a night area that accommodates four cabins and four bathrooms.
There is a closed galley on an intermediate deck between the main and lower decks, meaning that the main deck can be dedicated entirely to indoor and outdoor lounge and dining areas.
On this deck, designed for socialising, the same design approach has been used for both interiors and exteriors, making for a seamless transition between an air-conditioned interior and a, hopefully, sun-soaked outdoors. At the stern, the Pivoting Platform Expander system makes it easy to extend the swim platform.
The layout is completed by crew quarters consisting of two cabins with access through a side door aft of the superstructure.
The interiors by Francesco Guida are available in two decor versions: platinum and black pearl – both welcoming and sophisticated.
However, it’s beneath the hood that the Azimut shows itself to be part of a new breed of luxury yacht concerned with efficiency and consumption as much as it is style and power.
Many of the solutions are part of Azimut’s ECS (Enhanced Cruising Solutions) program (developed by Azimut Yachts’ in-house Innovation Lab). These include active trim control, which automatically adjusts the boat’s trim and ensures the best possible consumption efficiency.
Joystick driving maintains the course set at all speeds, guarantees comfortable, safe driving with perfect control, and provides an intuitive, user-friendly interface.
Finally, there is an integrated onboard control and monitoring system which also includes an interface system with the main services, including air conditioning in the yacht’s various settings.
At 24.63 metres length overall, the S8 is at the starting size for a superyacht, and has the capacity to be operated without a crew, but most owners in this category will probably be more interested in having a free hand to entertain guests and take in the view.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: AZIMUT S8
LOA: 4.63 m
BEAM MAX: 5.55m
ENGINES: 3 x IPS 1350 1000 mhp
MAX SPEED: 35 knots
CRUISING SPEED: 27 knots
FUEL CAPACITY: 4000 litres
WATER CAPACITY: 1100 litres
CABINS: 4 + 2 crew
