Its a carnival on the new Rio Sport Coupe 56

The new Sport Coupé 56 from Rio Yachts, designed by Marino Alfani, is the largest of RIO Yachts sports coupe models. Contemporary sporty styling embracing streamlined exteriors are matched by clean and thoughtful well-defined interior. The light-filled spaces give the impression of open cruising on a larger vessel, not least because of the decision to use light-hued colourways. The sophisticated original inserts made from solid teak and steel that adorn and enrich the decor are distinctive style traits in Marino Alfani’s work. The WSB team take the opportunity for a closer look at this new arrival.

Marino Alfani is the designer behind the new model from Rio Yachts, a 17.55-meter yacht featuring contemporary styling, tailormade details and fine finishing.

A boat with a sporty spirit, like many other models built by this storied brand established in 1961, the 56 is a classic example of the expressive style embraced by the designer, who isn’t a great lover of frills and flowing lines, but always strives for clean, clear-cut contours.

“The feature I like most about this 56 is the light: the full-beam master suite and living area are a perfect example of welcoming, light-filled settings where the layout makes the most of every available centimetre,” explained Marino Alfani, the owner of the yacht & interior design firm established in 2007.

With the look of a true open cruiser, designed for owners who want a continuous contact with the sea, the Sport Coupé is a modern, light-filled classic.

The materials featured in the decor are marble, glass, white-painted oak and solid teak inserts. Original handles made-to-measure from polished stainless steel adorn the interiors and add even more personality to settings that are both essential and comfortable, created to encourage a mood of conviviality and sharing.

Two key features of the outdoor spaces are unquestionably the big pivoting stern swim platform, with the garage for the tender, and the black-painted section on the hull, which unites the two glazed surfaces and gives the motor yacht a touch of originality, not to mention an immediately recognisable silhouette.

The interiors have characteristic light-hued tone-on-tone colourways that highlight the contemporary feel of the boat, as well as making the spaces seem even brighter with the help of the huge glazed surfaces everywhere.

The crystal glass door between the cockpit and the helm station ensures both privacy and contact with the outdoor environment, as well as being a central feature of the interior decoration.

Clean lines, a contemporary mood, the celebration of light and contact with the sea are the key concepts underpinning this design. In the words of Marino Alfani: “I’m proud to have contributed to the creation of this model and enthusiastic with the results achieved.

Every new boat I design for Rio Yachts is a new start for me, one in which I’m given the maximum freedom of expression. Every model is also totally different from the previous one: the design of the last boat, for example, was dominated by black, whereas on this model the featured colour is white. The 56 is the result of teamwork and the ongoing and profitable sharing of ideas and proposals between me, the shipyard’s technical office and the owner”.

The dashboard boasts two 12” multifunction touch screens to manage all onboard instruments: including, video cameras, automatic pilot, radar and gps. Powered by twin MAN I6 800 2x800HP engines, Sport Coupè 56 can reach a top speed of 35 knots and a cruising speed of 30 knots with low consumption considering her category.

Functionality, versatility and aesthetics merge creating flexible environments to Rio Yachts credit who have delivered on Marino’s concept to reality. The Sport coupe 56 is a fantastic all-round sports coupe with neat design touches of open convertibles and enough innovation technology to look impressive to any would be owner and their guests.