Scuba Car

[mitchy]

Saw this on the news. Looks pretty cool. It is a convertible underwater, so the driver and passengers wear masks and use the regs provided with the car. Here is a newspaper article about the car, as well as a link to a promo video.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgnSljm-lgY

Swiss concept car takes plunge

Submersible vehicle set to make a splash at Geneva Motor Show next month



Feb 15, 2008


GENEVA–A Swiss designer and James Bond fan has invented a car that runs on land and underwater. But you'll have to put on your wetsuit to test it, because it's a convertible.
The new car, which will make a splash at the Geneva Auto Show next month, is called the sQuba and conjures up memories of Bond's amphibious Lotus Esprit from The Spy Who Loved Me.
That fictional vehicle travelled on land and, when chased by bad guys in a helicopter, plunged into the water and became an airtight submarine.
But "Q" isn't responsible for this one.
The concept car – which unlike Bond's is not armed – was developed by Swiss designer Rinspeed Inc. Company CEO Frank Rinderknecht, a self-professed Bond fan, said the sQuba can plow through the water at a depth of 10 metres and has electrical motors to turn the underwater screw.
"For safety reasons, we have built the vehicle as an open car so that the occupants can get out quickly in an emergency," said Rinderknecht, 52.
Passengers will be able to keep breathing underwater through an integrated tank of compressed air similar to what is used in scuba diving.
The sQuba's top speed on land is about 130 kilometres per hour, but it slows down to 5 km/h on the surface of the water, and 3 km/h underwater.
One electric motor provides propulsion on land and two others drive the screw for underwater driving.
The interior is resistant to salt water, allowing the skipper to drive into a lake or the sea.
Rinderknecht said it cost more than $1.5 million (U.S.) to make the sole sQuba in existence.
He added that it was a particular challenge to make a car watertight and pressure-resistant enough to be manoeuvrable underwater.
Rinspeed is in discussion with commercial manufacturers about making a limited number of the cars.
The price?
"It would be cheaper than a Rolls-Royce," he said.
A 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe has a sticker price of more than $400,000.

[Super-Duper Scubasteve]

Does the car come with some kind of built in air supply and reg system or do you have to bring your own?

[KGNickl]

Looks like a lotus and/or TVR.

[thor]

Submersible CAR? When will ST start carying this item.

[mitchy]

Damn you Thor... always outsmarting me. You may have won this battle, but I'll get you back!

[Suther2136]

Dumbest idea I've ever seen! We hear about people driving into houses and stores every week, now we can drive into a reef? Are they kidding....

[WAHMof2]

I want one! Talk about eluding the cops!

[easyrider003]

Originally Posted by Super-Duper Scubasteve

Does the car come with some kind of built in air supply and reg system or do you have to bring your own?

From what I read and understand it does have its own tank and regulators

[Suther2136]

Originally Posted by WAHMof2

I want one! Talk about eluding the cops!

Hmmm... is this something you have great need of? This one and the bye bye thread are starting to paint a picture of the real you!

[WAHMof2]

Originally Posted by Suther2136

Hmmm... is this something you have great need of? This one and the bye bye thread are starting to paint a picture of the real you!

I wonder if they have torpedo launchers available?