The award, presented during the 25th edition of the World Yachts Trophies, marks an early milestone for the first model from the new ICONA inspired by Mangusta brand. The yacht will now move on to the Monaco Yacht Show from 23-26 September, followed by the Genoa International Boat Show from 1-6 October.
YachtBuyer was among the first to step aboard the ICONA 70 during its Cannes debut. Access remained unusually controlled, with filming inside the yacht not permitted, but the visit revealed considerably more than could be seen from the dock.
From Secret Cannes Debut to World Yachts Trophies Win
The ICONA 70 arrived at Cannes with very little advance publicity. YachtBuyer first spotted the model during a pre-show walkaround, before its identity and full details had been released. Mangusta had previously signaled that a world premiere was coming, but the yacht itself remained under wraps until the show opened.
Less than two weeks later, its exterior design has already received industry recognition.
The ICONA 70 is the inaugural model from ICONA inspired by Mangusta, a brand established through EFFEBI NEW PROJECT by the Balducci family and Stefano Arlunno. While its identity draws heavily on Mangusta's performance-yacht history, it does not sit within the existing Mangusta range. Construction follows Overmarine Group standards, with the new brand targeting the market below 24m.
Igor Lobanov, already known for shaping the Mangusta REV design language, was responsible for the motor yacht's exterior, interior, ergonomics and helm. Hull development was carried out by Overmarine Group's technical department with Studio Arnaboldi, while the yacht itself is built in GRP.
Award-Winning ICONA 70 Exterior Centers on Transforming Aft Deck
The reason behind the World Yachts Trophies result is immediately apparent at the stern. With the side sections raised, the ICONA 70 has a beam of 6.2m. Once the two wings fold down, that figure stretches beyond 9m, producing an aft waterside area of around 40 square meters. A transformer staircase can then lower towards the sea.
It is one of the yacht's most striking features in person. Rather than making the 20.9m model simply appear wider, the system changes how the aft deck can be used at anchor, with a substantial amount of space sitting directly above the water.
Much of the remaining exterior has been deliberately kept clean. The dark glass superstructure rises beneath an aggressively tapered hardtop, while the forward mooring equipment and anchor housing are concealed. Even the engine-room air intake has received unusual attention, using a 3D-printed honeycomb structure influenced by automotive design.
Owners are also given far more freedom over color than the conventional white-yacht formula. At Cannes, ICONA displayed a broad palette of metallic exterior finishes alongside interior materials, extending the automotive theme into the specification process. The brand has also introduced a Commission program for owners wanting greater involvement with the design team.
YachtBuyer Steps Aboard the Secretive ICONA 70 at Cannes
The exterior may now have an award attached to it, but the interior made just as strong an impression during YachtBuyer's visit at Cannes. Natural light is the first thing that registers. Glass runs around the main living spaces and overhead, with the dark exterior glazing giving way to a noticeably bright interior. Moving down past the helm leads into a lower galley and dining area where the central section reaches almost three meters in height.
The official figure is up to 2.85m of headroom through this part of the yacht, with 2.10m quoted in the guest cabins. That height, coupled with the overhead windows, gives the lower deck a sense of space that is difficult to read from the yacht's low exterior profile.
Accommodation is arranged across three guest cabins, including a full-beam owner's cabin, VIP and twin, with separate accommodation for the captain.
Lighting also plays a major role. Small points of light set into the ceiling create a star-like effect, while colored LED lighting changes the atmosphere after dark. At Cannes, the result felt closer to a contemporary waterfront lounge than the more traditional interior treatment expected aboard many yachts of this length.
Triple Volvo Penta Power Gives ICONA 70 a 36-Knot Top Speed
The automotive references extend to the helm, where four 19-inch touchscreens sit ahead of four driving seats. Conventional switches have largely disappeared from sight, while the technical package includes joystick maneuvering, dynamic positioning, forward-looking sonar and assisted docking systems.
Power comes from three Volvo Penta D13 engines. The standard 800hp installation has quoted figures of around 30 knots at maximum speed and 25 knots at cruise. An optional installation using three 1,000hp D13 IPS1350 engines lifts maximum speed to approximately 36 knots and cruising speed to around 30 knots.
Despite the substantial aft deck, the ICONA 70 also retains a concealed side tender bay capable of carrying a jet tender of approximately 3.45m.
Monaco and Genoa Next for World Yachts Trophies Winner ICONA 70
Following Cannes and its World Yachts Trophies success, the yacht is scheduled to appear at the 2026 Monaco Yacht Show from 23-26 September, where it will be displayed at Appontement Jules Soccal S01. It will then head to the 2026 Genoa International Boat Show from 1-6 October, with the yacht listed for Dock H.
Those appearances will give the new brand two further opportunities to put the ICONA 70 in front of buyers following an unusually secretive introduction. Its first weeks in public have already moved quickly - from an unannounced arrival on the Cannes dock to a world debut, a tightly controlled first look inside and now a World Yachts Trophies award.
To stay up to date with what's set to attend Monaco, check out our dedicated Monaco Yacht Show 2026 attending yachts page to browse the full fleet, including debuts and YachtBuyer-reviewed models.
Interested in owning an ICONA yacht? View all new ICONA 70 yachts for sale, tracked in real-time by YachtBuyer MarketWatch. We scan the entire market to ensure access to all genuine listings, saving you time. Alternatively, you can view all other ICONA yachts for sale.
