What they say "The wave-piercer bow, together with the deep-vee hull are the key to the boat's success, giving her a behaviour when driving comparable to an 8m boat."

What we say In the wake of President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit to the UK earlier this year, Anglo/French collaborations are definitely in vogue. So the fashion  should join those queueing up to drive this new luxury RIB, designed and made in France - with tubes from the UK.

Although fitted with a 200hp Mercury Verado engine and capable of 40 knots, the boat's design is less speed focused, concentrating more on the ability to drive easily through a 1.5m chop at a steady 25 knots. The shallow deadrise at the transom and sharp forefoot should go a long way to achieving that.

The hull is aluminium - notably, the high-quality and more durable Sealium marine grade - making the boat a light proposition at just 750kg without the engine.

All very interesting, but how about the looks? Just get Carla Bruni-Sarkozy on board and it'd be perfect, we say.