Riva Sends Two World Premieres to Cannes, Then Gives Only One a Second Stage in Genoa

Riva will unveil two new models at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026, running September 8 to 13: the Riva 56' Rivale Super and the Riva 96' Argo Super. Both are designed by Officina Italiana Design, working with Ferretti Group's Strategic Product Committee and Engineering Department. Only the 56' Rivale Super travels on to the Genoa International Boat Show in October.

A premiere calendar is itself a statement. Putting two boats on the same stand in Cannes announces range depth: an open yacht and a flybridge evolving at once, under one design language. Extending only the smaller of the two to a second show a few weeks later says something narrower. Riva is treating the 56' Rivale Super as the model that benefits from a longer selling season, while the 96' Argo Super gets one concentrated debut and no repeat billing this fall.

The open, restyled rather than replaced

Riva 56' Rivale Super follows what the brand calls a sophisticated restyling, preserving the original model's bold personality while sharpening its lines. The yacht measures 17.27 meters in length with a maximum beam of 4.74 meters. A new deck profile introduces a counter-curve around the windscreen, the side grilles now match the hull color, and a series of ergonomic changes in the cockpit improve comfort and usability.

The standard version pairs twin MAN V8-1000 engines, 1,000 HP each, for a top speed of 34 knots and a cruising speed of 28 knots. An optional twin MAN V8-1200 configuration, 1,200 HP each, raises those figures to 38 and 32 knots, both listed by the builder as preliminary data.

The flybridge, redrawn around the water

Riva 96' Argo Super evolves the existing Riva 96' Argo, with a length overall of 28.79 meters and a maximum beam of 6.50 meters. The most visible change sits at the stern: a completely redesigned beach area folds a generous sunpad into the garage door, next to a swim platform that raises and lowers for direct access to the water. A day head added on the main deck frees up space elsewhere, and the lounge is offered in two configurations.

Inside, the full-beam master suite gains larger windows and a furniture arrangement built around the sea view. On the lower deck, owners choose between three guest cabins, including a full-beam VIP suite aft sized close to a second master suite, or a four-cabin layout. The interior palette combines glossy wengé wood, pale matt oak, mirrored surfaces and polished steel.

Power comes from twin MTU 12V 2000 M96X engines rated at 2,000 HP, delivering 26.5 knots top speed and 22.5 knots cruising. An optional twin MTU 12V 2000 M96Z configuration, rated at 2,222 HP, lifts those numbers to 28 and 24 knots, again preliminary.

One design house, two shows

Both models carry the signature of Officina Italiana Design, the studio founded by Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta and the exclusive designer of the Riva range for more than 30 years, working alongside Ferretti Group's Strategic Product Committee and Engineering Department. Cannes will also see Riva Aquariva Special, Riva 58' Capri, Riva 88' Folgore, Riva 102' Corsaro Super and Riva Iseo Super on the stand, seven boats in the water from one brand at a single show.

The next marker worth watching sits a few weeks past Cannes. In Genoa, the 56' Rivale Super will stand without its larger sibling, in front of a domestic audience that has followed the model since well before this restyling. That is where the longer selling season Riva has chosen for it gets tested.