A New Kind of Performance Yacht
Sunreef Yachts and BRABUS have introduced the BRABUS ULTIMA 55, the first yacht developed through their collaboration. Unveiled on July 29, 2026, the 17-metre power catamaran brings Sunreef’s multihull engineering together with BRABUS’s distinctive automotive-inspired design.
The project targets buyers who want more than a traditional luxury yacht. Its combination of high speed, bold styling and adaptable outdoor spaces positions it between a performance boat and a premium platform for entertaining.
For Sunreef, the partnership opens a route into a more performance-focused customer segment. For BRABUS, it extends the brand beyond cars and into a larger luxury marine product.
More Than an Automotive Design Exercise
The ULTIMA 55 is built on Sunreef’s existing ULTIMA platform rather than being a yacht designed from scratch around automotive styling. That gives the collaboration a technical foundation while allowing BRABUS to shape the exterior, materials and onboard atmosphere.
The exterior is available in Graphite Black or Phantom Grey, with exposed carbon-fibre elements, integrated LED lighting and illuminated BRABUS logos. The styling follows the visual language of the company’s high-performance vehicles, but applies it to a twin-hulled vessel with substantially more space than a conventional sports boat.
The result is intended to appeal to owners who value both engineering and a recognisable luxury identity.
Foil-Assisted Performance
Twin six-cylinder engines, each producing 725 horsepower, power the ULTIMA 55 to speeds exceeding 40 knots, according to the manufacturers. Its foil-assisted system generates lift as speed increases, reducing drag and helping improve stability and ride comfort.
The technology is central to the yacht’s positioning. A 17-metre catamaran needs to offer more than a dramatic appearance; it must deliver the speed and handling expected by performance-oriented buyers while remaining comfortable for passengers.
The twin-hull design also provides a wider platform than a comparable monohull, creating more usable deck space and supporting stability at anchor and underway.
A Beach Club That Expands
The aft deck is designed around entertaining. Fold-down side platforms increase the yacht’s beam from 5.6 metres to 7.6 metres when deployed, creating a wider waterside area that functions as a beach club.
Convertible sunpads, an extendable carbon-fibre dining table, a wet bar and an electric barbecue make the space adaptable for dining and relaxation. A separate lounge area at the bow provides another place for guests to spend time outdoors.
These features reflect a broader shift in luxury boating: owners increasingly expect their yachts to function as social spaces, with flexible layouts that can change between cruising, entertaining and time at anchor.
Automotive Craftsmanship Inside
The interior carries BRABUS styling into the saloon, with Moonstone leather, Alcantara, exposed carbon fibre and aluminium details. Customisable ambient lighting and a Bowers & Wilkins Marine Series sound system reinforce the focus on premium materials and onboard entertainment.
Buyers can choose between two accommodation layouts. One offers a master suite and VIP cabin for four guests, while the alternative three-cabin configuration accommodates up to six. Both include dedicated crew accommodation.
The flexibility matters in a segment where buyers may use a yacht for private family trips, entertaining clients or spending extended periods cruising.
A Strategic Partnership
The collaboration builds on a partnership announced in 2024, when Sunreef and BRABUS outlined plans for a range of luxury motor catamarans. The ULTIMA 55 is the first model to emerge from that relationship.
For BRABUS, marine products create another way to engage customers already familiar with its performance cars and luxury customisation. For Sunreef, the collaboration adds a more aggressive design identity to its multihull expertise and potentially introduces the shipyard to a different group of buyers.
The commercial challenge is to turn brand recognition into sustained demand. In the luxury yacht market, a distinctive design can attract attention, but build quality, performance, after-sales support and resale prospects remain important purchasing considerations.
What Comes Next
The ULTIMA 55 establishes the initial product in the Sunreef–BRABUS collaboration, with further development possible as both brands assess demand.
Its positioning is clear: a high-performance catamaran combining automotive-inspired styling, foil-assisted speed and generous outdoor living areas. The model also illustrates how luxury brands are extending into adjacent markets through partnerships rather than building every capability independently.
For buyers, the appeal will depend on whether the yacht delivers a convincing balance of speed, comfort and practical usability. For the two companies, the larger test is whether this first collaboration can become a commercially meaningful product line rather than a one-off design statement.
