At the beginning of 2023, Swedish boat builder Candela announced a new electric foiling powerboat named C-8, developed in partnership with Polestar. The first example has been finally delivered, giving us the first good look at the premium watercraft. Featuring a sleek grey exterior with a brushed metal finish and contrasting deep yellow accents, the C-8 Polestar Edition is gorgeous. Polestar has been supplying its battery technology to Candela for several years; however, the stunning C-8 premium electric boat takes their collaboration to a whole new level. The vessel shares design cues with the Swedish automaker’s high-end electric vehicles.
Polestar’s design team worked with Candela to tailor the C-8 to perfection. In addition to the head-turning grey hull, the vessel features a bespoke seat upholstery designed to resemble the seating inside Polestar cars. Furthermore, the decision to finish the hydrofoils in deep yellow is a nod to the performance details on the sporty Polestar EVs. “Design is an extremely powerful tool, as it can persuade people to make the right choice,” said Gustav Hasselskog, CEO & founder of Candela. “Like the first time driving an electric car, you instantly feel that this is the future when the boat ‘takes off’—and now with the special gold details that we so proudly exhibit on our cars.”
The 28-footer is powered by a 100kW electric motor and a 69kWh battery pack borrowed from the Polestar 2. Cruising at a speed of around 25mph, the C-8 can deliver a 65-mile range on a single charge. In fact, it managed to set a new world record for the longest 24-hour electric boat distance last year. A major reason for achieving the record-breaking feat is the battery’s capability to recharge from 10 to 80 percent in just 30 minutes.
Obviously, the hydrofoils make the boat extremely efficient. According to Candela, the C-8 uses just 20% of the energy needed by other boats. The hydrofoils can also be retracted at the touch of a button. The powerboat can accommodate up to eight passengers and the captain. It is available with either a carbon-fiber hardtop or an open-top version, and the pricing starts at $450,000.
