The Italian builder’s new Smart Performance coupe reaches 38 knots and cruises at 33 knots, with twin 2,000hp MAN V12 engines bolstered by water-jet propulsion.
Words: Risa Merl; Photos: Sanlorenzo / Guillaume Plisson / Federico Cedrone

The exterior design by Zuccon International Project balances style and dynamism

“We’re redefining the concept of a sports yacht while rethinking its proportions and spatial solutions,” said designer Bernardo Zuccon of Sanlorenzo’s new 27.9m SP92, the second offering in the Italian builder’s Smart Performance range, which was launched by the SP110 in 2022.

It’s an apt description for a coupe that breaks the mould of a typical go-fast sports yacht, thanks to its minimalist, elegant exterior styling and unusual, multi-level layout – all without sacrificing any speed.

Tilli Antonelli, Head of Development and Product for the SP (Smart Performance) series, said: “The SP92 is best described as a hybrid between a high-speed powerboat and a floating beach club – offering the handling and velocity of a sport boat combined with the spaciousness and architectural qualities of a large yacht.

The hull was designed to make the yacht smarter and more efficient than other sports yachts

“High-performance yachts are a growing market segment, and the unique characteristics of the SP92 – which combines performance and comfort with sustainability in a smaller yacht – are attracting owners.”

Long-time Sanlorenzo collaborators Zuccon International Project, co-owned by Bernardo Zuccon and his sister Martina Zuccon, created the exterior and layout of the SP110 and SP92, while Piero Lissoni crafted the highly detailed yet lightweight interior.

“Designed to create a balance between style and dynamism, it’s a yacht that appears to be sculpted by wind and water,” said Bernardo Zuccon of his inspiration for the exterior design.

A distinctive feature of the SP range’s exterior is a copper-toned ‘blade’ detailing around the superstructure 

Much like the SP110, the SP92 doesn’t look like your typical sports boat, and that’s the point entirely. Instead of the long bow, curved superstructure and sunpad-laden exterior that’s synonymous with most sports boats, the SP92 strikes a very different tone. A vertical bow and foredeck lounge protected by suitably high bulwarks, is paired by an upright, glass-enclosed superstructure.

The windscreen is vertical as well, giving the sense of exploration rather than out-and-out speed. The windows surrounding the superstructure are made with a special laminated glass to protect the interior from UV rays and to cut down on air-conditioning usage. The superstructure has also been optimised to allow for the installation of solar panels.

A distinctive feature of the SP range’s exterior is a copper-toned ‘blade’ detailing, which appeared on the SP110 but is expanded upon for the SP92, stretching around the superstructure, and framing the roof and aft overhang.

The beach area has a hidden garage that can host a 3.95m tender

“In this model, the blade extends even further, reinforcing its sporty character and enhancing the yacht’s overall balance,” said Bernardo Zuccon.

Indeed, striking the right balance is an overall theme for this yacht, which aims to marry speed with comfort while also seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. The latter is evident whether inside and outside, as spaces seem to merge into one.

Stepping on board the yacht, the first thing you notice is the expanse of glass across the entirety of the aft entry into the boat. Not merely a sliding glass door, the glazing here extends upwards, with angled windows leading all the way up the roof set high above what you’d typically find on a yacht this size. When the glass doors are thrown open, the aft deck is fully integrated with the interior.

The SP92 blends indoor and outdoor living

The vast swath of glass seen at the yacht’s stern isn’t merely a trick of the eye intended to give the look of higher ceilings – inside, the multi-level saloon sits higher than you’d find on any other sports yacht.

Sanlorenzo and Bernardo Zuccon have been known to experiment with asymmetrical and split-level designs that challenge the expected and staid superyacht layout, and the SP92 is no exception. The living space unfurls across two levels, both of which can be seen from aft deck, further driving home a feeling of connection. Guests could be sunning on the aft deck and conversing with friends inside.

A lounge with two sofas facing inwards greets guests as they step into the foyer, while stairs set along the starboard side lead up to a mezzanine-level saloon above hosting a formal dining table.

Piero Lissoni designed the highly detailed yet lightweight interior

A variation of the standard layout will see a dining table settee in the lower lounge, while the mezzanine becomes a proper main saloon with sofas. In either set-up, doors on the port side of the mezzanine level open to further connect the interior to the outside, inviting sea breezes to flow through. This is open-plan living at its best.

“The SP92 isn’t simply a scaled-down version of the SP110,” noted Bernardo Zuccon. “While the SP110’s living area was spread across three levels, in the SP92, the spaces have been optimised over two levels while still maintaining a seamless connection between the interior and exterior.”

Lissoni created the interiors of the SP92, like he did for the SP110. “I tried to bring the same elements to this boat: open spaces, a connection between the interior and exterior, and plenty of technology,” said the Italian architect and designer.

Laminated windows and sliding doors reduce the need for air-conditioning

“We worked on the connections between the internal spaces, introducing the double-height area at the stern, as with the SP110. On the lower deck, we have managed to add a lounge which can also become another cabin, if needed.”

The SP92’s interiors are characterised by simplicity and elegance. Light-brown parquet floors give a sense of warmth, while ceilings are finished in a dark and masculine walnut tone. This is complemented by neutral tones on the walls and furnishings.

As speedy performance is core to this yacht’s brief, materials also had to be considered for weight-saving.

Curved stairs from the saloon down to the lower deck

“We have used Cleaf [laminates] on the walls to lighten the structure,” Lissoni said. “Weight is very important on a boat, especially on a fast one like this, and this guides many of the choices regarding materials.”

Other design choices merge form and function, such as the ribbed ceilings found in the cabins, which conceal speakers and air-extraction systems. There is a curve between the ribbed ceilings and the seam where the walls meet that catches the eye.

The theme of openness is accentuated in the cabins, with opaque glass adorning the closet doors. Set on the lower deck, the cocoon-like cabins themselves don’t take a starring role, which is to be expected in a sports yacht.

The full-beam owner’s cabin offers three closets and an en-suite with a large shower

However, the full-beam owner’s cabin set amidships on the lower deck is perfectly comfortable with a good amount of floor space, three closets and an en-suite with a large shower.

Another key difference between the SP92 and similarly sized sports yachts is prioritising the guest’s proximity to the water, with the aft deck set lower to the water than typically found in sports yachts, accentuating the connection to the sea. The 45sqm aft deck beach area has a retractable door that lifts to reveal a garage hosting a tender up to 3.95m long.

Sanlorenzo called in the big guns to help the SP range meet its high-performance goals. As the founder of Pershing and Wider, Antonelli knows something about speed. However, in a quest for ‘smart performance’, there was a commitment to optimising the hull design to make the yacht more fuel-efficient than other sports yachts.

The SP92 is distinguished from other sport yachts by a vertical bow and high bulwarks

“SP92 reaffirms our commitment to strengthening our research in the segment of high-performance, sporty boats, which has been highly rewarding for us, as evidenced by the prestigious Compasso d’Oro 2024 award that SP110 received from ADI (Association for Industrial Design),” said Antonelli.

For the SP line, a special study of the water lines was developed to obtain a very efficient hull with a large beam, to offer improved performance and comfort when sailing. With twin 2,000hp MAN V12 engines bolstered by water-jet propulsion, the SP92 reaches a top speed of 38 knots and cruises at 33 knots.

“The SP92 allows for high performance even in rough sea conditions [3 to 4 on the Beaufort Scale], maintaining a constant trim, thanks also to the dynamic trim correctors that reduce pitch and roll for maximum comfort when sailing,” Antonelli said.

The windscreen of the bridge is vertical, lending a sense of exploration rather than speed

“The choice of hydro-jet propulsion is functional in guaranteeing greater autonomy according to the desired speed, in the complete absence of vibrations, as well as a very shallow draught that allows the boat to cruise in the shallowest of waters.”

To date, Sanlorenzo has sold six hulls of this model, and is confident that this is only the beginning. Whether for its clean lines and unique interior or its swift flight across the water, SP92 is making a mark in the performance market, carving out a space all of its own.

apac.sanlorenzoyacht.com