The first sign of the M8’s evolution isn’t found in its engine or the numbers on a spec sheet. It lies in the way Prestige has chosen to utilize space. With the M8 EVO, the French shipyard isn’t just giving the flagship of the M-Line a refresh; it’s raising the bar and aiming to appeal to a more discerning owner—one accustomed to the freedom of choice, the quality of finishes, and the level of customization characteristic of the superyacht world.
The goal is not merely to offer more space—that was already one of the M8’s strengths—but to make that space more flexible, more organized, and more personalized. To achieve this, Prestige has streamlined the layout of the main deck, streamlined the exterior profile, and reduced the number of fixed furnishings and structural constraints, giving the owner greater freedom to interpret the spaces.
The first M8 EVO is the tenth vessel in the series, following nine M8s from the previous generation. The hull’s shape remains unchanged, but its substance has been reworked, refining the design based on the experience gained with the first owners. The work of Camillo Garroni, Garroni Design, and the Prestige team focused primarily on how this boat is experienced: greater freedom in the layout, more refined finishes, less prescriptive spaces, and a more linear and clean exterior design.
The M8 remains a multihull conceived from the outset as a motor yacht. It is not a sailing catamaran adapted for motor propulsion. This design choice has made it possible to free the interior layout from the constraints imposed by the mast, rigging, and sails, resulting in an almost completely flat main deck, independent cabins in the hulls, and a living space typically associated with larger yachts.
A revised design
Camillo Garroni began by addressing the profile. The goal was not to make the multihull more aggressive, nor to force its design to resemble that of a monohull. Rather, it was a matter of lightening a substantial volume by simplifying the exterior lines and reducing the visual weight of the superstructures.
The changes to the M8 EVO involve three main elements: windows, the black fashion plate, and the hardtop. The new side windows simplify the design of the bulwark; the fashion plate has been redesigned; and the hardtop has been reimagined in a more organic way.
It is a matter of precision rather than radical change. The M8 EVO’s new look is defined by its proportions, the relationship between the hull and the glazed surfaces, and the reduction of visual weight in the upper section. The result is a boat that retains the volumetric advantage of a multihull but appears more cohesive and less fragmented.
Freedom of customization
The most significant change, however, is not visible from the outside. Once on the main deck, you’ll discover that PRESTIGE has removed the internal staircase leading to the flybridge. The upper deck is now accessible only from the outside, thus freeing the salon from an element that was visually striking but inevitably cumbersome.
The result goes beyond simply freeing up space. The main deck gains a sense of continuity, the flow becomes more direct, and the layout of the spaces can be completely reimagined. The dining area takes on a more central and formal position, with a table capable of seating up to ten people, compared to eight in the previous configuration.
The large side window places the table in direct connection with the landscape; an optional side sliding door can make the relationship between interior and exterior even more open. The living area, dining area, and galley no longer follow one another as separate functions but become parts of a single space, while maintaining a clear hierarchy between socializing, service, and command.
The interior helm station has also changed. It has been moved to the left and can be configured in two ways: as a minimalist station, integrated into a cabinet and consisting of a screen, joystick, and essential controls; or as a full-fledged wheelhouse, with dedicated seating and more comprehensive instrumentation. This choice allows the owner to decide how visible and central the helm should be to life on board.
With the starboard side freed up, the galley has been expanded. The galley is organized around a counter that doubles as a bar and features household-sized appliances. The dishwasher, for example, has been upgraded from 8 to 14 place settings. It’s a seemingly minor detail, but it speaks volumes about the M8 EVO’s intended use: not a boat designed solely for day trips or short cruises, but a space built for extended life on board and for entertaining guests.
Spaces to be interpreted
Customization goes beyond the number of cabins or the choice of materials. On the M8 EVO, it begins with minimizing fixed elements. The cockpit and flybridge have been designed to accommodate freestanding furniture, allowing for configurations less constrained by the standard layout.
In the cockpit, the dining area can be set up with a fixed table and an L-shaped sofa, or with separate seating and a movable table that can be repositioned as needed. The configuration can accommodate up to 12 people. The concept is simple: eliminate permanent fixtures wherever possible to give the owner a space that can be adapted to different occasions.
On the flybridge, this approach becomes even more evident. Extending across the entire beam, the upper deck is designed as an open-air living area for dining, relaxing, or conversation—but not rigidly defined by a single layout. The result is a platform that avoids prescribing any specific function, leaving the owner greater freedom to interpret the space.
This is an important step for Prestige. On yachts of this size, clients no longer simply choose a layout: they tend to ask that the boat reflect their habits and meet their needs, whether for family use, long cruises, or charter operations during periods when they are not on board.
The choices below deck also follow this logic. Configurations with three, four, or five cabins are available, with the galley either on the main deck or located in the hull. The “galley down” solution replaces a guest cabin and, in turn, further frees up the main deck for socializing. On the M8 EVO, therefore, there is no single “standard” or “best” layout: there is only the one that best aligns with how the owner intends to use their boat.
A boat within a boat
The owner’s cabin is where the redesign is most strikingly evident. Compared to the previous configuration, the space has been completely redesigned with a more residential feel.
The bed is arranged lengthwise; the sleeping area flows into a central space that can serve as an office or lounge; from here, you can access the walk-in closet and the bathroom. It is not merely a matter of adding functions, but of arranging them in a sequence: sleeping, relaxing, working, getting dressed, and getting ready become activities distributed across distinct yet interconnected spaces.
The suite measures approximately 21 square meters. The walk-in closet is divided into two private areas, while the bathroom and shower have gained both prominence and size.The strength of the owner’s cabin therefore lies not only in its volume, but in the ability to make that volume clearly defined, avoiding the impression of a single large room.
The design creates a succession of spaces and provides the owner with a place that has its own autonomy, separate from the rhythm of life of the guests and crew. It is this spatial quality that brings the on-board experience closer to that of larger yachts.
The finishes also reflect this evolution. The available options are based on two colour schemes: light wood and blue, or dark wood with orange or brown accents and lighter details. In areas of frequent contact, richer materials are used, such as genuine leather for worktops and trim, whilst the bathroom also features marble elements.
Sailing in balance
The propulsion system has also evolved. The M8 EVO is fitted with two 730 hp MAN i6 engines in place of the 600 hp Volvo engines from the previous version. Prestige’s aim was not to make the boat faster, but to achieve a less strained propulsion system during cruising and greater scope for optimisation in the engine-propeller combination.
Under way, the M8 EVO reaffirms the character and comfort of a luxury yacht. There is no pursuit of performance, but the engines ensure a smooth and composed ride, which, combined with the catamaran’s hull stability, contributes to the overall sense of comfort. The twin hulls naturally reduce rolling both whilst sailing and at anchor, without the need for active stabilisation systems.
Completing this concept of comfort is the optional Silent Mode Pack, which combines solar panels and lithium batteries. The system allows for up to ten hours of night-time operation without the generator, reducing noise, vibrations and direct emissions at times when the boat’s value is measured above all by the quality of the stay. The M8 EVO does not change its identity. However, it takes it to a different level. It retains the space, stability and connection with the sea that make a motorised multihull so appealing, whilst introducing greater formal refinement and a freedom of use more in line with the expectations of a superyacht owner. Its evolution, after all, does not lie in the metres available: it lies in the freedom to choose how to experience them.
Giacomo Barbaro
