Mercedes-Benz AMG goes overboard, builds world’s fastest electric powerboat

By Nick Jaynes February 14, 2013

The World's Most Powerful Electric Drive Powerboat Electrified b — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Just when we thought Mercedes-Benz AMG had done it all and built every crazy vehicle it could, it goes and does something like this and builds the world’s most powerful and fastest electric-driven powerboat.

Mercedes AMG teamed up with Cigarette Racing to build a boat inspired by the SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive, which is the most powerful and fastest production electric vehicle on the planet.

The paint slathered all over this electric ocean racer is called “AMG Electricbeam magno.” AMG calls the EV ocean monster simply the “Cigarette AMG Electric Drive Concept.” We would have called it something like the “Electra,” but maybe that’s just us.

This 38-foot electrically driven boat creates an absolutely staggering 2,200 horsepower and 2,213 pound-feet of torque. How does it produce so much power? Glad you asked. Mercedes has fitted it with 12 – you read that correctly – compact, liquid-cooled permanent-magnet synchronous electric motors.

The 12 motors have been combined into two drive units, six motors in each unit. Each drive unit has been given a dedicated transmission as well. The benefit of having a big, long electric boat filled with EV bits is that the weight can be kept very low in the vessel, making handling superb.

The Electricbeam is capable of a 99.4 MPH top speed, which makes it the fastest electrically driven powerboat in the world.

Since this is only a concept and the cost of the boat is surely astronomical, we doubt we’ll see it hit showrooms – ever. Should this one go up for sale, though, we’d love to see someone like Usain Bolt buy it. Heck, then he could call it the “Usain Boat.” The fastest boat for the fastest man seems about right.

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Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…

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