The makers of the world’s most powerful, fastest, most exclusive and luxurious production super sports car, Bugatti, and the world’s most innovative motor yacht builder, Palmer Johnson, announce the release of the Bugatti Niniette 66.
This will be the first in a new series of yachts, starting from 50ft, up to 80ft. The iconic companies have combined their pedigree in design, technology and performance into a fearless vision of the future of sport yachts. Inspired by the amazing Bugatti Chiron, the outcome of this powerful alchemy between Palmer Johnson and Bugatti is the limited edition Bugatti Niniette 66.
Makers of the fastest car in the world today, Bugatti was once a boat builder too. Commissioned to create a one-of-a kind speedboat in 1930 by Prince Carlo Maurizio Ruspoldi, founder Ettore Bugatti named this low on the water beauty the Niniette – the family pet name of his youngest daughter Lidia.
A shared DNA
A common vision of the future has made this dream a reality. Palmer Johnson’s history of building the world’s most groundbreaking yachts has been combined with Bugatti’s signature engineering traits such as the accentuated centre line, perfect symmetry and a sweeping signature curve. PJ traits such as using advanced materials like carbon and a revolutionary hull have been incorporated seamlessly into this yacht design that is quite simply like no other.
An evolved design
When Bugatti and Palmer Johnson met the first time with the idea of a joint project in early 2015, the goal was clear from the outset: to create an innovative sport yacht based on the proprietary strengths of the two companies, while echoing the unmistakable design DNA of Bugatti. After first renderings of the yacht had been presented in late 2015, a large number of potential buyers – among them several current Bugatti owners – expressed great interest in the project. However, they wished for a closer connection of the yacht to the latest supercar from Bugatti, the Chiron, after its world premiere in March 2016. Consequently, the designers and engineers went back to their drawing boards to eventually launch the highly anticipated Bugatti Niniette 66.
A modern masterpiece
The Bugatti Niniette is an inspired and daring design that evolves from the Chiron. The purity of design and perfect proportions of the Niniette create and leave an impression of magical beauty. “The challenge was to create an experience and a persona as much as a yacht, from streamlined luxury, sophisticated style and unprecedented quality. For owners of tomorrow, Niniette will lift your expectations of life even higher,” explains Timur Mohamed, CEO of Palmer Johnson.
The 20-metre-long yacht features Palmer Johnson’s innovative hull design combining a slender main hull with two sponsons left and right that have a positive effect on stability and roll dampening even at high speeds. “This construction also allows for a wider build compared to other yachts in this class, thus offering the experience of a much larger yacht,” adds Mohamed. The extensive use of carbon fibre also adds to the yacht’s structural rigidity, while at the same time reducing weight and increasing efficiency.
“The Niniette is a genuine member of the Bugatti family,” explains Etienne Salomé, Design Director at Bugatti. With its accentuated centre line and the duotone colour split of the exterior, it encompasses key elements of Bugatti’s heritage. True to the company’s guiding design principle of ‘form follows performance’, the clear lines and dynamic stance of the yacht in combination with the characteristic, Bugatti signature line fused into the side profile of the boat are a reference to the recently launched Chiron. “Even from a large distance when entering a port, the Niniette will always be recognized as a true Bugatti,” says Salomé.
The yacht features a spacious open deck that reflects Bugatti’s focus on outstanding craftsmanship and authentic materiality, with carbon fibre, finest leather and naturally blue morta oak wood as the dominating elements. The lower part of the deck houses a combined Jacuzzi, sun pad and champagne bar in the middle, flanked by two social areas on the side. Maritime connoisseurs will also cherish the fire pit, centrally located between the Jacuzzi and the two forward seats that will undoubtedly be a main attraction for every visitor.
A precious sanctuary
The spectacularly designed exterior is complemented by a sumptuous interior below deck. Contrary to the common interior layout with several small cabins found in most conventional motor yachts, the salon of the Niniette is a very spacious environment offering the highest level of comfort for its passengers. Only the finest materials – polished metal, carbon, leather and marble, are used for furniture and decoration. Centrepiece of the interior lounge is the large Bugatti horseshoe overlooking the generous seating area, while natural light streams in through the macaron-shaped window in the ceiling. Adjacent to the salon, the master suite equipped with a comfortable double-bed offers the ideal retreat for the night. As is customary with Bugatti, a myriad of customization options in terms of colours, materials and finishes for both exterior and interior guarantees that every Niniette will be a unique piece of art.
Form follows performance
As you would expect with a Palmer Johnson, an advanced stabilised hull achieves speed with efficiency, as well as amazing comfort on board. The super slim main hull means higher speeds with lower input power and fuel burn. Side sponsons give additional vessel beam and hence increased stability at rest. Reaching top speeds of 44 knots, and with a shallow draft of 1.3 metres, Bahamas friendly cruising is possible for the weekend. Unique Bugatti designed helm chairs and a futuristic command centre with interactive infotainment system for vessel navigation, monitoring, control and entertainment further enhance the experience.
PALMER JOHNSON AND BUGATTI
200 YEARS OF HERITAGE
Palmer Johnson
Since its creation by two artisan boat builders in 1918, Palmer Johnson has had a reputation for leading in innovation. Pioneering the use of aluminium in their sailing yachts which won every major race; building a yacht in 1979 that was the fastest in the world for over a decade; followed by carbon fibre in the new SuperSport series; pushing the boundaries of design and technology have always a PJ hallmark. The Niniette is the latest expression of PJ’s forward thinking design ethos together and uncompromised respect of artistry and craftsmanship.
Bugatti
Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. is the manufacturer of the world’s most powerful, fastest, most exclusive and most luxurious production super sports car. Since it was established in 1909, the French luxury brand has had its headquarters at Molsheim, Alsace, where 450 Veyrons were produced from 2005 to 2015 and where the new Chiron, which is limited to 500 cars, is being hand-crafted today. The brand, which has been part of the Volkswagen Group since 1998, employs almost 300 people. With 34 dealers and service partners in 17 countries in Europe, North America and the Middle and Asia/Pacific, Bugatti is now a global player.
The Bugatti Niniette website is now live at https://www.bugattininiette.com
