Prestige highlights new models at Düsseldorf
While 2024 was described as a strong year for Groupe Beneteau’s Prestige brand, it was also significantly influenced by change – in particular, new management following the establishment of a new divisional structure for the Beneteau boat brands. This involved Jean-Francois Lair replacing Erwin Bamps as brand director. Bamps held the position for the last six years and has now left Groupe Beneteau.
Prestige is holding the world premiere of its F4.3 motoryacht at boot Düsseldorf this week. A new M7 multihull model, which will premiere at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival in September, was also presented at the show.
Prestige continues to invest, reinforcing its strong international presence following a successful year of new product launches and the opening of new markets. The company has reached the important milestone of 5,000 Prestige models built, all framed in the year of Groupe Beneteau’s 140-year anniversary.
“2024 was a strong and solid year,” says Lair, “but we clearly see a return in keeping investing on a higher brand positioning and great product innovation, with the success of our new F-Line generation and the M-Line becoming a key pillar of the Prestige offering. This is leading us to an even stronger position in the year to come.”
Prestige’s strategy for 2025 is to build on the success of 2024 with further new models and further growth through the year. The new F4.3, says design and development manager Erik Stromberg, is a new entry-level model that is priced competitively and designed for easy flow around the boat’s quality features.
In the M-Line, the new M7 is positioned between the M48 and M8 and will further strengthen Prestige’s position in the multihull motoryacht segment. The M7 has an overall length of 58ft and around 200m² of exterior and interior living areas, matching the space usually offered on a 75ft monohull motoryacht.
The overall concept by Garroni Design Studio offers a spacious and flexible layout which allows for easy circulation on board. Accommodation includes four staterooms with ensuite, including a full-beam owner suite located forward.
Together with the open and refined spaces, the M7 gives its owners, whether at sea or at anchor, a high level of comfort thanks to the boat’s multihull naval architecture signed by Marc Lombard Yacht Design. Much attention has been placed on reducing fuel consumption, offering an increased hydrodynamic efficiency, together with a Long Range pack for increased autonomy and a Silent Mode option. Fuel consumption can be reduced by up to 40%, Prestige says.
Looking to the future, Prestige says the next series to be addressed in terms of upgrades and modernisation is the X-Line.
Source: IBI News
