Priceless performance from the new Princess V78 flagship

The eagerly anticipated arrival of the new V78 flagship which leads the V Class line-up has set a new benchmark for the company’s performance line. Traditionally the V Class has been the cornerstone of Princess Yachts’ product portfolio, focused on a modern, exciting and comfortable cruising abilities regardless of sea conditions. Princess has turned up the tap on performance and dynamic abilities for the V78 flagship and the WSB team took the chance to take a closer look at the V78’s priceless performance attributes.

Proudly positioned as the new flagship in the iconic Princess V Class range, the V78 tops the line-up recently expanded with the addition of the V50, V60 and V65 models alongside the existing V40. The Princess V78 delivers on a clear brief for the modern sports yacht owner’s demands – the elegance of form, quality of materials, perfect practicality and inspiring dynamics, and will appeal to V Class loyalists looking for a step-up in size and performance as well as new clients searching for elegance and purity of purpose.

With new standards of quality in interior fixtures, fittings and definition of space, and a striking new exterior design language recognisable by the new exterior V Class port lights, there is a clear purpose of design, whilst the outdoor lifestyle that the V Class range delivers is amplified with the flagship V78.

The layout of the yacht and its ocean-going range are second-to-none with uncompromised performance and space inside defined by the unique Princess deep-V resin-infused hull that lies at the heart of the yacht. Its structural form delivers vital functions – technical sea-keeping advantages optimising lift and minimise drag at speed, and the framework for its ingenious use of space.

At the heart of the V hull’s stability and predictability is the state-of-the-art light, compact and efficient, high-power twin MAN V12 engines that deliver up to 1900 mhp and a top speed of 39 knots†. The result is a best-inclass combination of engine performance and efficiency, physical dimensions and seakeeping behaviour – classic V Class traits.

Antony Sheriff, Executive Chairman Princess Yachts, said: “V Class has been an historically successful product line for Princess that has appealed to those who love to live the outdoor lifestyle. The loyalty of its customer base and its uncompromised style, layout and performance capabilities mean it has formed the cornerstone of the Princess range. As a result, we continue to invest heavily in the V Class to take advantage of a renewed interest in the lifestyle they offer owners. The V78 is a true flagship in a valuable and vital class of Princess yachts.”

Design With Princess’ unique and powerful clarity in design purpose and purity of form, the V78 is visually impressive from every angle. The V78 exterior is characterised by long sweeping lines and sculptural forms that are striking in their simplicity. The dynamic profile conceals a spacious interior that’s perfect for just relaxing, or making longer journeys in supreme comfort.

Access to the V78 is from the elegantly proportioned hydraulic bathing platform, via a central stairway between the twin aft sunbeds. An illuminated Princess ‘crown’ logo on the transom guides guests aboard where a beautifully appointed cockpit greets guests. The cockpit features practical and flexible, modular seating and a sociable dining area with folding teak table – the perfect place to sit back, relax and enjoy the yacht’s exhilarating performance.

But this focus on usability does not restrict or limit a pursuit of quality, represented by a high-quality Naim Audio system equipped with all-weather, waterproof speakers. Further forward, the galley kitchen has a granite/quartz worktop, with a 4-zone induction hob, extractor fan and microwave/convection oven complete with grill. Fresh food can be stored in a refrigerator or the deep freeze, with an icemaker and dishwasher on hand too. It is also possible to screen off the galley using a powered room divider.

The stylish main deck saloon offers more sumptuous seating, including an angled, port side sofa that cocoons guests in lavish comfort. The electric opening roof covers a living space that seamlessly connects to the world outside through full-length side windows. A useful sideboard unit provides bottle and glass storage, as well as a drinks refrigerator, plus a rise and fall UHD LED TV, with DVD/Blu-ray and Naim Audio system.

Below, up to eight guests can enjoy four beautifully appointed, spacious ensuite cabins that are filled with natural light from the hull glazing. The impressive master stateroom has a large double bed, 40-inch UHD LED TV and Naim Audio system, plus plenty of storage for extended stays at sea. A separate lobby features a washer-dryer and laundry facilities, while a further twin aft cabin is available for occasional guests or crew. But Princess expects V78 owners and guests to spend as much time as possible above deck.

The spacious foredeck boasts innovative sunpads which can be converted to create additional aft-facing seats. The stern also houses a garage and integrated launch system that comfortably accommodates a 4.45m tender. It features an electro-hydraulic door and is the perfect base for watersports.

A separate, watertight door from the transom gives direct access to the crew cabin and engine room. Performance The new Princess V78 has been designed from the deep-V hull upwards to offer dynamic and luxurious all-round ability on the water. The ingenious design of Princess’ deep-V hull is key to the V78’s impressive performance.

A lightweight, resin-infused structure combined with a pair of the latest, high power and efficient MAN V12 engines offers a total of 1900 mhp and breath-taking agility at speeds of up to 39 knots†. Princess’ deep-V hulls are born from the company’s naval architect’s obsession with exceptional sea-keeping and voluminous space – their sculpted form shaped from a lightweight, resin-infused composite creates greater internal volume compared to standard hull production methods. The variable geometry of the deep-V hull translates power into assured, taut handling.

The V78 requires less power and burns less fuel to comparative yachts thanks to the pioneering deep-V design, whether you are slicing through flat seas at 39 knots† or navigating stormy waters. With a smooth delivery of power, it has been optimised for greater lift and less drag, producing lower planing speeds and greater efficiency. Such precision thinking gives rise to the most exhilarating performance, defined by the V78’s efficiency, agility and poise across the water.

Kiran Haslam, Director of Marketing, Princess Yachts, said: “V78 is the epitome of the V Class range and says much about Princess Yachts as a company. The recent debut of the R35 takes Princess performance and dynamics to a new level in a performance sports yacht, and now our renewed focus on the V Class reflects a heightened ambition for our customers to enjoy using their yachts.

The V78 offers another unique experience in a traditionally strong sector for Princess, reinforcing our reputation for quality, dynamics and customer-focus.” Craftsmanship Princess Yachts represents the epitome of British craftsmanship. The company has been renowned for building luxury boats for more than 50 years. Synonymous with luxurious style and power, the latest Princess will impress from the moment you step aboard.

Instantly recognisable as a member of the V Class fleet, the V78 utilises the same build ethos as new models from both the V and S Class ranges. It retains the same overall design integrity through the use of the finest materials and timbers available. All the traditional Princess qualities of craftsmanship and refinement are displayed and reinvented in a deliberately involving design concept.

The V78 represents the highest level of build quality, crafted at the company’s headquarters in Plymouth, England. Each element of the V78 interior has been designed with meticulous attention to detail. Clean flowing precise lines accentuate the spear-less double curvature deckhouse glazing, while soft-facetted geometry defines the interior joinery to create a calming and captivating visual experience for owner and guests. Attention has been paid to the transition between exterior and interior main deck spaces.

The flowing lines of the cockpit headlining panels invite guests into the saloon and are complimented by the continuation of the design and paint finish from the cockpit bar to the galley front. Elegant materials used in the exterior upholstery feature hand-stitched contrast detailing, hand-laid directional veneers and soft angled geometry furniture. Recessed fashion lines through the internal bulkheads and headlining and hand-stitched helm seat are a true expression of Princess craftsmanship.

Sarah Verey, Director of Creative Design, Princess Yachts, said: “Our design brief for the V78 was to focus on a seamless visual and physical transition between the indoor and outdoor spaces. The use of beautiful, textured surface finishes and well-defined, pure design language complements the purity of the V78’s hull design. Form and function combine, as always, to reinforce our V Class traditions of luxury, style and speed in equal measure and without compromise.”

Princess Lifeline ‘Princess Lifeline’ is a unique new 24/7 international SOS service in partnership with MedAire. Every Princess yacht now comes with a two-year Princess Lifeline cover as standard for the well-being of Princess owners and their guests whilst aboard. It provides around the clock global access to medical and travel safety experts, real-time information and primary contact throughout your trip. For the luxury yacht market, it is an exceptional level of customer service that has never before been included complementary as part of a new yacht purchase.

New Product Strategy The V78 forms part of the six all-new innovative yachts that will debut in the coming months and this product offensive sits alongside a record order book, record financial results, and a growing workforce exceeding 3000 people – all based within a 10-mile radius of Plymouth.

Princess continues to perform like a beacon of success within the British maritime industry and is recognised with a strong presence in over 100 countries worldwide, further solidifying its position as one of the world’s best-selling brand of luxury motor yachts.

Princess Yachts