The Rinspeed Splash (http://www.rinspeed.ch/pages/content/frames_e.htm) is a natural-gas-powered two-seater amphibious car capable of 200km/h on land and 0-100km/h in just 5.9 seconds. What makes it cool is that it transforms into a hydrofoil that can do up to 45 knots in the water!
http://www.racegarden.com/video-show.html?video_id=52
They also crossed the English Channel in it: http://www.rinspeed.ch/pages/cars/splash/challenge/pre-splash-cc.htm
Sweet! I wonder how long the commute on the North Saskatchewan from Fort Saskatchewan or Devon would be to downtown in it, compared to using the roads?
Oddly enough we found this car thru the Wikipedia entry for Top Gear episodes (they rated as the maddest car).
Quote from: Ustauk on August 01, 2007, 12:00:20 PM
Sweet! I wonder how long the commute on the North Saskatchewan from Fort Saskatchewan or Devon would be to downtown in it, compared to using the roads?
Well... No lights and no traffic, so you're probably boating as fast as you would be driving. The trick is in finding a place to drive out of the river; there aren't too many boat launches downtown.
Quote from: Thorin on August 01, 2007, 12:34:07 PM
Quote from: Ustauk on August 01, 2007, 12:00:20 PM
Sweet! I wonder how long the commute on the North Saskatchewan from Fort Saskatchewan or Devon would be to downtown in it, compared to using the roads?
Well... No lights and no traffic, so you're probably boating as fast as you would be driving. The trick is in finding a place to drive out of the river; there aren't too many boat launches downtown.
The closest launches to downtown that I know of are both across the river. There's one by Raptor's Landing, where the Edmonton Queen resides. There's another one in Emily Murphy Park by Hawrelyk Park
Man that's one sweet vehicle. I love amphibious cars. Figure out the spot with the depth you need to launch and roll into the water nonchalantly as people start to freak. Then DEPLOY THE HYDROFOILS AHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
The one thing I noticed was the avoidance of weedy waters. That'd be the likely flaw of this vehicle: if the prop gets clogged then you're rowing to shore and floating it until you can de-clog the prop. I'd assume this car would be treated to prevent rusting and leakage while in the water but I sure wouldn't recommend parking it on the river. "Oh! I dropped my keys! Honey, get my scuba suit please."
Concept car: badass
Amphibious concept car: REALLY badass
Amphibious concept car with hydrofoils: REALLY badass
I think the aquada (http://www.gibbstech.co.uk/aquada.php) is more likely something I would drive.
Well, the Aquada has a lower top landspeed (100mph = 160km/h vs 200km/h), a lower water speed (30mph = 48km/h vs 80km/h), and likely a longer 0-100km/h time (unknown vs 5.9 seconds). They're both unsinkable. The Aquada has an extra seat and possibly more storage area. They can both tow a skier. The Splash has a much smaller engine and runs on cleaner-burning natural gas.
But hydrofoiling a car is a cool idea, and the Splash still looks cool driving down the road.
If I were to buy a Gibbs Technologies car, I'd pick the Humdinga (http://www.gibbstech.co.uk/humdinga.php) over the Aquada.
I want a hippo... :D
http://www.torontohippotours.com/html/home.html (http://www.torontohippotours.com/html/home.html)
there is also http://www.terrawind.com/
The RV is an affordable $850,000 to $1.2M, but they also have a car.
An Amphibious RV? Whaaazza?? :o