ou already know about taking your car out for a drive. But how about taking it out for a dive? No, that's not a typo. A Swiss inventor has realized a long cherished dream, and created the world's first truly submersible sports car.
There have been attempts to put out a vehicle that can run on land and sea before, but there's never been anything quite like this one. Because the 'sQuba', as it's called, is a convertible.
Why would anyone make a car that goes underwater open to all that liquid? It turns out there's method to the madness. The creator loved the James Bond movies and decided to spare no expense in bringing a true submarine car to fruition. As to why he left the top down: "For safety reasons, we have built the vehicle as an open car so that the occupants can get out quickly in an emergency," explains 52-year-old Frank Rinderknecht of Rinspeed Inc., which designed the unusual auto.
It means passengers have to wear a form of modified scuba gear as they maneuver along the lake bottom. The air tanks are built into the car.
The sports car boasts sleek lines and designs, and goes up to 123 kilometres an hour on land. Hit the deck - and then drive off it - and you'll be slowing down considerably. The sQuba will only go about 4 kilometres an hour on top of the water and just 2.8 k/ph once it's completely below the surface. It can reach as low as 30 feet deep.
The car runs on state of the art lithium ion batteries and boasts three electrical motors, each one designed for a different surface. One provides propulsion on land, while the other two drive the screw that makes it possible to move on or under water. It's also salt resistant, so you can take your time while sight-'sea'-ing.
But if you want one, you'll be spending money like water. The experimental craft costs more than a $400,000 Rolls Royce. And only a few will ever be made.
Most remain skeptical that they'll ever be anything more than just a one-off curiosity - although they admit it's an interesting curiosity.
"Other than some kind of a movie situation, for Bond-like stuff with lots of gimmicks, I can't imagine it will have any practical value," assess John Cabaniss of the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers. "Maybe people will need to go from land to water, and traverse a body of water, but underwater? Especially as it gets your suit wet."
Even its creator, who's spent 30 years tinkering with the idea, knows it's of limited practical use. "They might sell as toys for rich people, perhaps," Rinderknecht agrees. "I don't see mass transportation switching to cars that dive."
But just think about how much money you'd save at the car wash.
ou already know about taking your car out for a drive. But how about taking it out for a dive? No, that's not a typo. A Swiss inventor has realized a long cherished dream, and created the world's first truly submersible sports car.
There have been attempts to put out a vehicle that can run on land and sea before, but there's never been anything quite like this one. Because the 'sQuba', as it's called, is a convertible.
Why would anyone make a car that goes underwater open to all that liquid? It turns out there's method to the madness. The creator loved the James Bond movies and decided to spare no expense in bringing a true submarine car to fruition. As to why he left the top down: "For safety reasons, we have built the vehicle as an open car so that the occupants can get out quickly in an emergency," explains 52-year-old Frank Rinderknecht of Rinspeed Inc., which designed the unusual auto.
It means passengers have to wear a form of modified scuba gear as they maneuver along the lake bottom. The air tanks are built into the car.
The sports car boasts sleek lines and designs, and goes up to 123 kilometres an hour on land. Hit the deck - and then drive off it - and you'll be slowing down considerably. The sQuba will only go about 4 kilometres an hour on top of the water and just 2.8 k/ph once it's completely below the surface. It can reach as low as 30 feet deep.
The car runs on state of the art lithium ion batteries and boasts three electrical motors, each one designed for a different surface. One provides propulsion on land, while the other two drive the screw that makes it possible to move on or under water. It's also salt resistant, so you can take your time while sight-'sea'-ing.
But if you want one, you'll be spending money like water. The experimental craft costs more than a $400,000 Rolls Royce. And only a few will ever be made.
Most remain skeptical that they'll ever be anything more than just a one-off curiosity - although they admit it's an interesting curiosity.
"Other than some kind of a movie situation, for Bond-like stuff with lots of gimmicks, I can't imagine it will have any practical value," assess John Cabaniss of the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers. "Maybe people will need to go from land to water, and traverse a body of water, but underwater? Especially as it gets your suit wet."
Even its creator, who's spent 30 years tinkering with the idea, knows it's of limited practical use. "They might sell as toys for rich people, perhaps," Rinderknecht agrees. "I don't see mass transportation switching to cars that dive."
But just think about how much money you'd save at the car wash.
For more on this incredible car, click here.
And to see an amazing video of the vehicle in action, click here.