Cigarette Racing Team and Mercedes AMG Collaborate on Concept Boat

[Matt Trulio]

This just in at http://speedonthewater.com.

Intriguing. Can't wait to see it.

[Bgchuby01]

In Brief. . .
In Brief: Cigarette Racing, Tigé, Navimo USA, Strictly Sail Pacific, Grady-White, YachtWorld.com

Boating Industry
Friday December 18, 2009


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Mercedes-Benz and Cigarette Racing are working to create a custom Cigarette boat, reportedly inspired by the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, according to a report in Automobile magazine. Cigarette reportedly says it will be one of the most advanced boats the company has ever built, with the 42-ft long boat using twin-staggered powerplants and capable of more than 120 mph. The AMG Cigarette Racing boat will be unveiled this February at the Miami International Boat Show in Miami, Florida.

[old377guy]

So Merc power or Mercedes power?

[Bgchuby01]

will skip even sell a boat without merc power? He stopped giving phil boats without power so phil could put in ZUL power. Maybe I am wrong, anyone?

[Bradz]

AMG big hp engines are on par with Mercury Racing low hp engines. To go 120 will need the 1075's I am guessing. I assume it will be a first class boat being a Cigarette. I am a little puzzled why it would a be a big event in Miami when MTI did it few years ago.
There already is another Mercedes boat running 182 mph.

[Sea-Dated]

Maybe the difference between a theme boat and a corporate sponsored boat.

Now, who has the spy pics?

[Tank]

AMG big hp engines are on par with Mercury Racing low hp engines. To go 120 will need the 1075's I am guessing. I assume it will be a first class boat being a Cigarette. I am a little puzzled why it would a be a big event in Miami when MTI did it few years ago.
There already is another Mercedes boat running 182 mph.

This is actually the real deal not just a theme boat. Skip has been out to Germany several times to meet with the heads of AMG on this project. Can't wait to see it.

[Matt Trulio]

Mercedes AMG and Cigarette collaborated—key word here—directly with one another. That's extremely significant and, if I am not mistaken, a first for both entities.

Tank is correct.

Skip Braver is an exotic car enthusiast. Fine cars are a huge passion for him. I know that since he's owned Cigarette he's green-lighted a lot of projects that have made him proud.

But none as much as this one.

[GENERAL LEE]

will skip even sell a boat without merc power? He stopped giving phil boats without power so phil could put in ZUL power. Maybe I am wrong, anyone?

If a customer wants it, Phil can still get any boat without power, & put custom power in it. You just don't get any kind of warranty with the drivetrain. There's an 07ish 38 on our lake with Zul 700's from Phil. If someone wants to go faster than what a Mercury engine can give them, they aren't going to send them to a competitor.

[MikeyFIN]

AMG big hp engines are on par with Mercury Racing low hp engines. To go 120 will need the 1075's I am guessing. I assume it will be a first class boat being a Cigarette. I am a little puzzled why it would a be a big event in Miami when MTI did it few years ago.
There already is another Mercedes boat running 182 mph.

+1

I´ve personally never liked boats with a car theme, as boats are more toys and more expensive it sorta degrades them when you make them full of car connected styling etc.
The Porsche powerboat back in the day with 928 Porsche V8´s had as an option Merc´s. The one and only Alpina BMW powerboat ( in Stockholm) with straigh 3.5 liter 6´s screams for BMW V12´s at least...
The MTI Theme boats...well tacky and now this.

It should be called an AMG Cigarette not Mercedes as originally AMG was a racing and custom Shop that got it´s teeht campaigning a 300SEL 6.8 in Endurance races and much later on got bought up by Mercedes.

[JupiterSunsation]

Mercedes AMG and Cigarette collaborated—key word here—directly with one another. That's extremely significant and, if I am not mistaken, a first for both entities.

Tank is correct.

Skip Braver is an exotic car enthusiast. Fine cars are a huge passion for him. I know that since he's owned Cigarette he's green-lighted a lot of projects that have made him proud.

But none as much as this one.

+1 - new, creative thinking on Cigarette's behalf.

-1 - doing an AMG boat that someone else thought of first (I believe the actual MTI boat was built for a Mercedes dealership owner, Gino bought it from him).

[nortech4play]

I'm sure it will be a unique piece but really nothing new other than another theme boat unless AMG is putting their performance mod's on the engines and not just styling badges...

I guess we will just have to wait and see. Being a "CLS" owner I loved the Mercedes MTI when it was first done and yes it was for Mercedes of Massapequa if my memory is correct...

[Matt Trulio]

Again, the biggest difference here, as I understand it, is that Cigarette and AMG COLLABORATED DIRECTLY WITH ONE ANOTHER (excuse my shouting), which is far different than working through a Mercedes dealership or securing permission to use logos and badges.

Taking nothing away from the Mercedes MTI—that thing was a knockout, maybe even my favorite MTI to date (although there are so many great MTIs to choose from). What an elegant crration.

[Bradz]

I am at a loss here. So because AMG is involved it is more than a theme boat? I am a hugh AMG fan with my current SL55AMG. However AMG is a engine builder and tuner. I would be very surprised if they are building engines for this boat. So that leaves badges and suspension tuning. No chassis on a boat. So that leaves badges.....
I also love Cigarette boats. I am sure the Cigarette/AMG "theme" boat will be cool.

[MarylandMark]

I think it is great- way to cross market!

But with Gino's boat already the "Benz Boat", what will this one be called? Benz V? Benz Cig? Funny if a guy named Ben bought it..

[nortech4play]

Again, the biggest difference here, as I understand it, is that Cigarette and AMG COLLABORATED DIRECTLY WITH ONE ANOTHER (excuse my shouting), which is far different than working through a Mercedes dealership or securing permission to use logos and badges.

To each there own, if it trips your trigger so be it... doesn't cover any new ground as far as I'm concerned... Personally the only car inspired themed boat that I like is the Mercedes MTI, didn't care much for the Ferrari or Covette ones although they were very well done...

So in the big picture how many boat sales will this inspire? The first one will be unique but after that it's anyone's guess as to how many would be purchased...

Boats are not like cars with only a limited number of colors and options especially when your talking specialty high-end units...People tend to want them to be theirs not one of many....

I know you think it's breaking new ground but it's more of "been their done that" for a lot of people who follow all the new boats that come down the pike..

In this depressed economy I'm sure all of the manufacturers are looking for something to get people excited about but I just look at is as another marketing and packaging effort to get people to check them out... I wish them the best and hope it's really something to write about...

This is just my $0.02 and it's nothing to shout about...notice no caps....

[Matt Trulio]

Definitely pulls my trigger (I like that one), but as you said to each his own. As for it being "groundbreaking," that is not what I said. Then again, the two entities did collaborate. How you define or label that is up to you, but if it hasn't happened before (and it hasn't) then it's worth a look. At least for me who, like you, does indeed follow "all the new boats who come down the pike (and is actually lucky enough to get to ride in a lot of them).

Yes, some of it is marketing and packaging, two things that definitely help sell boats. But there's more. Wait and see. If you disagree then, I'll certainly respect that. Heck, I respect your right to that, and your opinion, already.

[Tank]

To each there own, if it trips your trigger so be it... doesn't cover any new ground as far as I'm concerned... Personally the only car inspired themed boat that I like is the Mercedes MTI, didn't care much for the Ferrari or Covette ones although they were very well done...

So in the big picture how many boat sales will this inspire? The first one will be unique but after that it's anyone's guess as to how many would be purchased...

Boats are not like cars with only a limited number of colors and options especially when your talking specialty high-end units...People tend to want them to be theirs not one of many....

I know you think it's breaking new ground but it's more of "been their done that" for a lot of people who follow all the new boats that come down the pike..

In this depressed economy I'm sure all of the manufacturers are looking for something to get people excited about but I just look at is as another marketing and packaging effort to get people to check them out... I wish them the best and hope it's really something to write about...

This is just my $0.02 and it's nothing to shout about...notice no caps....

Yep, you can definately go down to any dealer and ask them to paint a boat to look like a Mercedes, or a Ferrari, or a Lamborghini or a Pinto...Or you can go and buy a boat that is in conjuncture with AMG. It's like taking your S class mercedes and putting AMG emblems on it, or having it come from the factory that way. You say it "been there done that".....And for those that walk mindlessly through a show they may get that feeling. But the true followers of the industry will see that this is actually the first time this type of thing has ever happened.

Again, if you're looking for a theme boat...Yea, they've been done. If you're looking to order a boat with an AMG package, well you show me where I can order one besides Cigarette???

[2112]

I am at a loss here. So because AMG is involved it is more than a theme boat? I am a hugh AMG fan with my current SL55AMG. However AMG is a engine builder and tuner. I would be very surprised if they are building engines for this boat. So that leaves badges and suspension tuning. No chassis on a boat. So that leaves badges.....
I also love Cigarette boats. I am sure the Cigarette/AMG "theme" boat will be cool.

+1

If the boat has Chevrolet based engines instead of Mercedes/AMG power, it is a theme boat. No matter who does it. This theme is already taken.

Yawn to all theme boats, There is always the wow factor on day one and then it becomes an exaggeration of the dated look there after. If you need a theme, how about a boat theme?

Sorry, the emperor has no clothes.

.

[Salesmanship]

I seem to remember an AMG Scarab at the Miami show back in the mid 90's.
Anyone?