The Audi Trimaran was a student project by designer Stefanie Behringer (Pforzheim Technical College, Germany) for the Audi concept design studio in Munich. There are no plans to put the Trimaran into series production, but it is nonetheless an eye-catching project.
“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. At low speeds of up to 8 knots, for example in bays or harbors, the boat can be moved using the jet ski engines alone, which produce no emissions or noise.
At higher speed up to 30 knots, the two diesel engines can be switched on continuously. During this process the electric motors in the jet skis support the diesel engines while accelerating, so that the boat is planing faster and less fuel is needed. At the same time the diesel engines recharge the batteries in the two jet skis.
The main advantage of multihulls is efficiency. This is due to the very slender hulls, which have less friction resistance in the water. Furthermore multihulls have very stable driving characteristics and lie at anchor very calmly.
The boat is 15m long and, due to its slender center hull, is only 6.40m wide. The jet ski drive concept allows you to go even into shallow water, because the draft is only 58 cm. On deck there is space for 12 people, while below the boat offers four berths. By flipping down the saloon table, another two berths can be offered.
The design is based on the Audi brand values of progressive, sporty and sophisticated.
The boat has an athletic, elegant appearance without being too powerful or aggressive. The main proportions of the exterior follow the graceful character of a sailing yacht, emphasized by the mesh surfaces within the outriggers and the shape of the main hull, which narrows to the back.
At the same time it embodies “Vorsprung durch Technik” (“Progress through Technology”) with a very technical and sophisticated look-and-feel.
The silver frame, which links the outrigger pods with the main hull, accentuates the technical aspect of Audi and is reminiscent of the aluminum frame structures of automotive engineering.
The jet skis follow the elegant and light appearance of the main boat.
The high side walls prevent spraying water, while the storage in the front gives space for equipment like a snorkel, fins or shopping from the mainland. The suspended seating bench offers excellent driving comfort.
The deck area is the place for relaxation and meeting together. As the opposite pole of the more technical and emotional exterior, the deck area design is based on very calm and puristic shapes, reminiscent of a typical lounge character. Between the two spacious seating benches, which grow out of the large sun lounger surfaces from the back, a table can be moved out of the floor. The huge panorama glass roof does not only shield the passengers from headwinds, but can also work as sun protection when shaded.”
Source: Audi
