J ust weeks after the successful launch of its debut superyacht SIMENA, ARES Yachts is moving full speed ahead with a bold new project — the 50.55-metre SPITFIRE. Now entering the molding phase, SPITFIRE marks the Antalya-based shipyard’s first motor superyacht and is currently listed for sale with Denison Yachting and Christie Yachts.
“While the project is progressing as a speculative build, all structural and technical planning is already in place,” said Piraye Sahinkaya Orhun, Yachts Projects Director at ARES Yachts. “Once a client is confirmed, we are fully prepared to complete the build within 24 months. Much of the preliminary design, engineering, and procurement groundwork has already been completed, ensuring a smooth transition to the full build phase upon commissioning.”
Designed inside and out by design veterans Bannenberg & Rowell, the yacht draws inspiration from one of the most iconic aircraft in British aviation history: the Supermarine Spitfire. This influence is reflected in the yacht’s clean lines, metallic finishes, and purposeful geometry, all set to be realised in advanced composites.
SPITFIRE features a sleek, low-profile superstructure with bands of dark glass and a military grey finish. Her wide, rounded bow drops vertically from cutaway bulwarks, while a low, open, explorer-style stern hints at her adventurous spirit. Inside, the design embraces natural, camouflage-inspired colours and materials such as punched metal, leather, and tinted glass. Subtle nods to 1940s industrial architecture appear in the glazing bars and bathroom finishes.
All guest staterooms feature large ensuites and generous storage. The owner’s full-beam suite is located forward on the main deck, complemented by four spacious guest cabins below. A standout element is the owner’s freestanding bed, offering panoramic 270-degree views. For film enthusiasts, the suite also includes an outdoor movie theatre on the private forward cockpit, complete with retractable side screens and glass bulwarks framing the perfect oceanic backdrop.
Orhun adds: “SPITFIRE is the result of years of careful development, and we’re proud to unveil more about this groundbreaking project. It showcases our expertise in high-quality fibreglass construction and high-performance hull design. With features like a flexible beach club that transforms into a lounge, cinema, or gym, SPITFIRE is built for an active, forward-thinking owner who values both adventure and relaxation.”
Despite its historical inspiration, SPITFIRE’s design embodies contemporary open-plan yachting and relaxed, informal living maximising enjoyment on the water. And, as the vessel is being built on speculation, potential owners can benefit from a degree of flexibility to personalise the interior, particularly in areas such as carpets and soft furnishings, with a wide range of options available.
Primed for adventurous cruising and combining high performance with exceptional stability, SPITFIRE offers a top speed of over 20 knots and a cruising range of 3,500 nautical miles. Her innovative, high-tech platform is based on the proven fast displacement hull dynamics of ARES Yachts’ acclaimed ARES 150 BOLD offshore patrol vessel, with naval architecture by Lateral Naval Architects.
In terms of performance, SPITFIRE features hybrid diesel-electric propulsion for versatile power management. Twin 290kW electric motors can draw on a substantial battery bank to propel the yacht for up to an hour. Emissions-free electric power can also run all hotel systems overnight in complete silence. An optional extended battery package can increase silent operation to up to 11 hours even in Mediterranean conditions. Variable-speed generators further enhance onboard comfort and efficiency, ensuring a quiet and refined cruising experience.
