Audi's concept design studio in Munich came up with an interesting proposition for a luxury yacht that would wear the four-ring logo. The Trimaran is the project work of Pforzheim Technical College student Stefanie Behringer, who explains the idea behind the study:
“The Audi Trimaran is a new concept which integrates two jet skis in a motorboat. The hull architecture is based on a trimaran, consisting of a main center hull supported by two smaller outrigger hulls. Two jet skis are stored inside pods in the outriggers. The main boat is powered by two lightweight and efficient Audi TDI diesel engines, whereas the jet skis are electrically-driven,” said Behringer.
The jet ski engines can be used to propel the yacht, provided that the required speed is not higher than 8 knots. At higher speeds of up to 30 knots, the two diesel engines can be switched on continuously. When more powerful acceleration is needed, the electric motors in the jet skis support the diesel engines for a faster and more fuel-efficient journey. At the same time, the diesel engines recharge the batteries in the two jet skis in the same way it’s done in a hybrid car.
The Trimaran is 15 meters long and 6.4 meters wide due to its slender center hull. The boat can accommodate 12 persons on the deck, with six berths available in the lower compartment. The silver frame that links the outer pods with the main hull gives the Trimaran a high-tech look that reminds Audi's aluminum frame structures. Too bad Audi has no plans for building the Trimaran.