Muscular, sporty, aggressive, and dynamic are just a few of the adjectives Overmarine CEO Maurizio Balducci used to describe the new 54-meter Gransport El Leon upon the April 28 launch near Pisa. The all-aluminum yacht with bulbous bow and efficient running surface works with four 16V MTU 2000 diesel engines to give the yacht the power expected of a Mangusta yacht that looks ready to rumble.
Features shared by motorcars prompted Balducci to comment further, "In the automotive sector the definition of GranSport is synonymous with high performance and optimal comfort. These principles have been the key starting point for the creation of the new line. We translated them and applied them to our business, giving life to a model that is an authentic combination of excellence between performance and autonomy."
At 54 meters long, and 9 meters wide, she is a sleek, slim, streamlined yacht with a high priority on comfort and luxury. The concept, first unveiled at the 2015 Monaco Yacht Show, earned a high level of interest. After tank tests and engineering studies, the design was lengthened by six meters. El Leon, upon her delivery later this year, will be the biggest yacht to date for the Italian yard.
Designed inside and out by Alberto Mancini in collaboration with the Overmarine Group Design Department, El Leon is able to cover distance quickly, with a top speed of 30 knots, and at cruising speed of 20 knots can extend her range to 3,500 nautical miles. Her speed is only exceeded by her comfort, with 5 lavish staterooms for 10 guests accommodated by 9 crew.
A striking infinity pool on the foredeck, one of many outdoor dining and lounging spaces, uses its glass bottom to send filtered sunlight below to the master suite bath. Long windows start from pinpoints on the bow, gaining depth to full height windows for indulgent views from the saloon and guest areas on the main deck.
The flybridge has a central bar that serves both an open aft deck and the al fresco dining area under the hard top. Doors and wings open to reveal and expand spaces in surprising ways on the beach club and forward on the main deck. Rotating central and lateral doors transform the stern to a club atmosphere.
Deeply raked, the windswept glazing gives power to the profile, with air intake slits on the stern and stylish rollbar contributing to the sports car feel. Balducci concluded, "The El Leon début makes us truly happy and proud. We launched an extraordinarily beautiful ship, which introduces herself to the world with unique features." Mangusta fans will not be disappointed by this combination of performance and comfort. Refer back to NAVIS for a complete, in-depth review of this exciting superyacht.
