Benetti has presented the B.Neos 40M, a 40.63m hybrid motoryacht. The exterior by Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design is inspired by the sleek, low profile of a sailing boat, while its informal, light wood interiors are by FM Architettura.

Giovanna Vitelli, Chair of Azimut|Benetti Group, said: “With B.Neos, we rethought the entire ownership experience to remove complexity and bother. We chose proportion over volume and used technology to eliminate redundancy. The result is a yacht inspired by the intelligence of sailing, with a sleek, low-profile silhouette and a perfect balance.”

Malcolm McKeon, who founded his UK-based studio in 1994, echoed Vitelli’s comments: “We worked to translate the aesthetic purity of a sailing yacht into this motor yacht’s layout, keeping the profile low and the lines as essential as possible.

“The focus remained on balanced proportions and a constant dialogue with the environment, using expansive glass and low bulwarks so the connection with the sea is never interrupted”.

The 296GT motoryacht has twin MAN V8-800 engines and a range of 2,600nm at 10 knots. Hybrid operating modes include Zero-Emission and Hotel Mode for silent electric power, Diesel-Electric and Crossover for fuel efficiency, and Boost Mode for torque and manoeuvring.

According to Benetti, the B.Neos 40M is the first sub-300GT displacement yacht to feature hybrid propulsion as standard, and the advanced technology integrated into the design offers a 30 per cent reduction in energy consumption compared to a vessel of the same size.

The yacht’s open, flowing layout and relaxed furniture and décor are focused on what Benetti describes as an “informal and personal lifestyle”.

Francesca Muzio, co-founder of FM Architettura, describes the interior design as “a warm, homey atmosphere”, adding: “Using a palette of light wood, glass and neutral surfaces, we created a personal canvas for owners to enhance with their own memories.”

On the main deck, the open aft deck includes a swimming pool flanked by facing sofas. Forward is what Benetti calls the ‘Sea Atrium’, a covered area with floor-to-ceiling glazing that starts with informal dining and seating areas. Two steps lead up to the main saloon, where large sofas face a full-height TV cabinet. Forward is an athwartships dining table and an open-plan, ‘family kitchen’ galley.

The upper deck includes a forward-facing master suite with 270-degree views and access to a foredeck with day beds. The open aft deck includes dining and lounging areas plus stairs to the observation deck. The lower deck includes four guest cabins, while there are four cabins for seven crew.

B.Neos is a new addition to Benetti’s yacht ‘families’, which include Custom, B.Loft (58M, 65M), B.Now (52M, 60M, 67M, 72M), B.Yond (40M, 57M), Oasis (34M, 42M), Motopanfilo (37M, 45M) and Class (44M).

benettiyachts.com