Riviera has unveiled the latest SUV model release from Australia’s favourite and most awarded luxury boat builder.

Following her successful world premiere at the Riviera Festival of Boating in May, the new sleek, stylish and sporty 515 SUV will certainly impress boating enthusiasts at her Sydney premiere at the Sydney International Boat Show from July 31 to August 4.

A true entertainer’s delight, the 515 is the third generation in Riviera’s cross-over SUV range which combines the high-performance, bluewater cruising and fish-raising abilities of the classic Riviera Flybridge with the single-level leisurely entertaining features of the very popular Sport Yacht series.

The result is a vessel like no other – a true bridge between them both.

Riviera’s chairman and owner Rodney Longhurst says the 515 SUV retains all the familiar aspects of Riviera boatbuilding: the purposeful lines, hefty scantlings, the solid feel in a seaway, the spatial sense, the layout and sumptuous décor … as well as a full no-nonsense Flybridge-scale cockpit.

But look closely and you’ll discover the 515 SUV has myriad new design aspects to enhance practicality and comfort whilst retaining key elements of the distinctive performance and reliability for which Riviera is renowned.

“The striking exterior profile of the 515 SUV is just the first indication that this is an entirely new style of Riviera,” Mr Longhurst said.  “From the moment you step onboard you will sense this is a new approach – double transom doors in the cockpit allow better access from both the port and starboard sides, plus we have a number of different transom door options to suit different boating applications for cruising or sport fishing.”

The cockpit features an island storage centre which offers space for an optional additional barbecue and live bait tank with filter and glass front. The cockpit seating features an optional integrated and interchangeable table, providing a versatile alfresco entertaining area. There is a refrigerated cool box and recycling bin located just behind the cockpit lounge for convenient access while entertaining, and a central self-draining moulded lazarette bin has been integrated into the cockpit floor, alongside the fish bin.

Side deck access has been enhanced with well-placed grab rails and optional extended bow rail. The 515 SUV also features an impressive commercial air intake system designed to keep the engine room cooler, thus reducing fuel consumption even further than that already achieved through the innovative Volva Penta IPS system.

Riviera CEO Wes Moxey says the 515 SUV has been created in-house using industry-leading Unigraphics 3D software, allowing Riviera’s team of talented and passionate international designers and engineers to see the exact size, space and scale of every aspect of the boat in the computer long before a single piece of timber is cut for the plug work.

This has ensured every millimetre of available space is utilised to its full potential throughout the entire boat.

“The modern and functional U-shaped galley features a modern two-pack finish to the overhead cupboards, which compliment the satin-finish American oak timber cabinetry,” says Mr Moxey.

“There is a awning window that opens out to the cockpit area that in effect opens up the rear of the boat to the cockpit. In the headlining above the galley there is a rod locker, making this the ideal vessel for the avid angler or cruising entertainer.”

The 515 SUV’s spacious saloon features an L-shaped lounge to port with a hi-lo dining table which folds and lowers into a coffee table. Adjacent to the dining area is an optional three-seater settee in which the middle seat base can slide out as an ottoman and form additional seating around the main dining table. An optional smaller dining table can be fitted that lifts out from the settee and sits between the two remaining seats to form a work space or additional dining capacity.

Forward of the three-seater settee is the television and sound system – stored beneath the dash to starboard – for all your onboard entertainment needs. The television can be viewed from all saloon seating positions.

The 515’s elevated helm area provides excellent visibility from its two Navigator low-back chairs, as well as enough space for two 16-inch display screens. There is easy access to all controls, including the helm joystick which is a key feature of the Volvo Penta IPS system. Indeed, a skipper— either solo or with a novice crew— can simply push and twist the joystick and the boat responds immediately, pivoting in place or crabbing sideways into a berth that’s just long enough to fit the vessel.

A new feature of the 515 SUV’s hardtop is two impressive Webasto sunroofs above the saloon area that open electrically with the push of a button. Webasto is a highly regarded Dutch company, which was established in 1901 and pioneered the first steel sunroof to Daimler-Benz in 1956. The incorporation of this new sunroof design marks another exciting development in the 515 SUV’s DNA.

Digital C-Zone switching is another key feature that allows all on-board electrical equipment to be operated at the push of a button from a digital DC circuit control, which can operate and control timer circuits, light dimming, LCD displays and touchscreens. In effect, you can set and save your favourite settings right throughout the boat and monitoring tanks, and activate them according to your specific requirements with just the touch of a button.

Below decks is a flexible accommodation plan featuring three very generous-sized staterooms and two bathrooms. The master stateroom can be located either forward or aft and has an ensuite bathroom in both optional layouts to allow owners to truly personalise their vessel. The two aft cabins offer full head-room while large hull windows with opening port holes on both sides give an abundance of natural light and fresh air. Optional hull port lights are available for the forward stateroom.

The SUV’s confident offshore poise comes, to a large degree, from Riviera’s leading-edge technology and legendary build quality that combine super-strong hand layups with solid GRP bottom and structural core material in the hull flanks, main deck and hardtop, as well as precisely fitted lightweight resin transfer molded small parts that are pre-fitted for a perfect seal when all major components are bonded together.

Standard power in the 515 SUV is the new-generation and fuel-efficient twin Volvo IPS 800 (460kW / 2 x 626hp) pod drives featuring forward-facing, counter-rotating propellers.

There are two engine options available: twin Cummins Zeus QSC 600s (442kW / 2 x 600hp) featuring aft-facing, counter-rotating propellers; or twin Volvo Penta IPS 950s (553kW / 2 x 725hp) featuring forward-facing, counter-rotating propellers.

Both the Cummins Zeus and Volvo Penta IPS options have joystick controls for easy docking.

The 515’s acoustic and thermal insulation linings are key features of the engine room while emergency fuel shut-off valves can be accessed from outside the engine room for added safety.  Special engine mounts reduce vibration and provide a smooth, quiet ride. Additionally, all the fittings to the hull skin are double hose-clamped for added safety, while four automatic and manual bilge pumps are located at various points throughout the hull of the 515 SUV for added peace of mind.

Tender storage is on the boarding platform and there is an option for a hydraulic platform with a capacity of 400kg, upon which a large rigid-bottom tender can be mounted.

Sea trials with the twin IPS 800s had the 515 SUV cruising at 28 knots with a top speed of 32 knots under full load (full fuel and water).

The 515 SUV makes her Sydney premiere at the Sydney International Boat Show from 31 July – 4 August.