XSR48 superboat
N
o speedboat like the XSR48 has ever existed. It is such a revolutionary
machine, a new term had to be invented: meet the world’s fi rst
superboat! It is a true groundbreaker. Two world powerboat
champions conceived it, and developed it w ith experts in naval
architecture, hydronamics, aerodynamics, aesthetics, ergonomics and
propulsion technolog y.
XSMG used expertise from leading yacht designers and marine structure
experts. High power is essential; the minimum output of the XSR48’s twin
turbodiesel engines is in excess of 1,600bhp. Countries outside Europe can
also have supercharged petrol engines that give out well in excess of 2,000bhp.
A 1,000-litre f uel tank carries enough diesel for a cruising range of 250 nautical
miles – and this is at the XSR’s cruising speed of 50-plus knots. That’s more
than 60mph...This drive is delivered through a reinforced ZF gearbox to a ZF surface drive
system. The surface-piercing propellers are by Rolla and made from stainless
steel. Only this sort of system can withstand the potentially crushing forces
propellers could be subjected to; XSR has verifi ed this by testing the superboat
at speeds in excess of 100mph.
Given such extremes of force, shock mitigation technology had to be
standardised in ever y seat: various confi gurations of race-style bucket seat are
on offer to secure passengers, all of which are fi tted with full race harnesses for
safety purposes.
It’s not all about speed, though. Because it uses a composite monocoque, the
additional strength has been used to create more space inside – and the interior
is overfl ow ing w ith lu xur y. Buyers can choose, for example, a wetroom-st yle
bathroom itself constructed from carbon fi bre.The world’s fi rst superboat is a £1.2 million
masterpiece. As you’d expect, only super-level
engineering has been used to create it...
Unique glass roof
The triple layer roof is made
from a polymer and glass
mix. It is tinted and heat
reflective to keep cabin
temperatures under control.Te ste d to
extremes
Developers tested the
XSR48 at speeds in excess
of 100mph – in the most
extreme sea conditions.STABility
A patented STAB
stabilisation system
counteracts unsettling
roll and pitch by means
of hydrofoils.F1 on water
There is an F1-style fly-by-wire
hand throttle, remote trim tabs
using touch sensors, and
helicopter-st yle headset
communication units.SEA