One year after announcing its partnership with Quintessence Yachts, Aston Martin’->ke13s first foray into the maritime industry is finally taking shape with the launch of the AM37 powerboat. The 37-foot boat made its long awaited debut at the Larusmiani Concept Boutique exhibition as part of the festivities of the 55th Milan Design Week.

Some of you might recall Aston Martin’s announcement back in April 2015 when it said it was in talks to build the opulent AM37 with the yacht builder and naval architect Mulder Design. It happened sooner than I expected, and now the AM37 is ready for its first close-up. Details surrounding the boat’s make and features read like a luxury list mixed in with state-of-the-art technologies.->ke1701 The wooden decked powerboat->ke2528 comes with a sliding carbon fiber deck cover that can be used to protect the boat’s interior from external forces. It functions much the same way as canvas and elastic materials, except that this one uses the always extravagant carbon fiber material.

It also has a swimming platform and an electronic anchor system that can be used through a 15-inch touchscreen multimedia display. Speaking of systems, the AM37 also has a remote control system that allows the owner to control a variety of appliances inside the powerboat, including the air-conditioning, the refrigerator, and even an espresso machine, that is, if there’s one found in the boat. If there isn’t, the standard cocktail bar should suffice, right? In terms of functionality, the AM37 also features a bimini top, a swimming ladder, and underwater lights.

Meanwhile, power comes in the form of three unique engine options. The base model of the AM37 can use either twin-diesel engines that pump out 370 horsepower each or twin gas engines at 430 horsepower apiece. Then there’s the range-topping AM37 S, which ups the performance ante with a pair of 520-horsepower gas engines. That’s a total of 1,040 horsepower for the top-of-the-line variant, enough to propel it to a top speed of 52 knots, which is about 60 mph on land. That may not seem like much compared to Aston Martin’s lineup of sports cars->ke506 and supercars,->ke177 but 52 knots on the open water is fast.

Aston Martin has yet to price the AM37, but considering that the automaker (or should I say boat builder now?) plans to officially launch the powerboat in the latter part of 2016, expect those details to arrive sooner than later.

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Why it matters

Who would’ve thought that not too long ago, Aston Martin was mired in financial trouble. While some of that may still be true, there’s no doubt that the British automaker is doing everything it can to become a player in the industry again. I’m not going to run through the list of cars that Aston has in the pipeline, but those projects, combined with the launch of its first boat, are clear indicators that not all is lost over there at Gaydon.

Now about the A37; it looks beautiful, doesn’t it? If I do say so myself, I think it looks absolutely stunning. Aston Martin clearly outdid itself with its first foray into boat building and if this kind of form holds up, there’s no question that Aston Martin could turn into a player in that field too. Whether that happens is entirely up to how well the A37 does when it goes on sale later this year. If it proves to be a hit, I wouldn’t be surprised if Aston Martin decides on developing a follow-up to that model.

If it doesn’t, well, at least Aston Martin tried its luck in boat building. That’s more than what I can say for other automakers. For now, let’s hope that the A37 proves to be as good as it’s been advertised.