|Objects| The pleasure
|Objects| The pleasure of riding on a Riva is not compromised by it being electric – Alberto Galassi the creation of a short film, Riva the Persuaders!, starring Pierfrancesco Favino, David Beckham and Charles Leclerc. It’s also the optimal time to showcase what’s coming – and the El-Iseo is the new standard-bearer for a modern, more environmentally conscious Riva. “El-Iseo is a glorious new chapter in the challenge that only Riva can experience every day – that of combining its legendary history with cuttingedge technology to generate beauty and style that will never go out of fashion,” Galassi says. The 8.2m is Riva’s first fully electric prototype. It’s inspired by the iconic Iseo from the shipyard’s early years, and fuses traditional design with modern technology and innovation. From the exterior, El-Iseo looks much like its predecessor, although the 2022 model features a white fibreglass structure, decorated with wooden trimmings and panels in a nod to her heritage. The key difference is in the engine room. El-Iseo is powered by a Parker GVM310 full electric engine, built by leading US motion and control technology company Parker Hannifin. The prototype enjoys a cruising speed of 25 knots and a top speed of 40 knots. She’s also silent and was rightly praised for her speed and acceleration performance by visitors who saw her at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show. “When you play with the brand Riva, you need to make sure it’s excellent,” Galassi says. “The electric Riva goes very, very well. It has big endurance, incredible throttle, fast speed, and is, of course, silent. The heritage is given by the finishing, the trimming, the wood, the style and the design. The pleasure of riding on a Riva is not compromised by it being electric.” Inspiration for the prototype came from existing clients. “The reason why Riva went with the prototype, and is moving into the electric market, is because clients from Switzerland, Austria and Italy asked us to,” Galassi explains. The idea is for El-Iseo to be a stylish runabout for lakes in prestigious destinations such as Lake Como and Lake Geneva. Until testing is complete, clients are encouraged to look to other Riva models for ocean voyages – “so that people don’t run out of battery at sea and have to call the coastguard,” Galassi jokes. The launch is also part of Riva’s ambitions to become more environmentally responsible and to attract younger clients, as well as those who are new to the industry, who may share similar values. Ahead of El-Iseo’s release to the market in late 2023, sea trials are planned around the world from Finland to Abu Dhabi to ensure it will be “the perfect product for all weather conditions”. As for what’s next in Riva’s electric journey, Galassi reveals: “This is not the last Riva that will be electric. We will not stop with El-Iseo.” riva-yacht.com Above and previous page: the electric El-Iseo retains all of Riva’s renowned craftsmanship PHOTO LEONARDO ANDREONI 38 CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM
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