Rinspeed is a small manufacturer known for some big-time off-the-wall automotive creations. Keeping with their reputation, the company will be showcasing a submersible car called the sQuba at the Geneva Motor show when it opens next week.
Company head Frank M. Rinderknecht is an avid James Bond enthusiast- and the movies are where the inspiration for the sQuba came from. "For three decades I have tried to imagine how it might be possible to build a car that can fly under water. Now we have made this dream come true" Rinderknecht said.
His latest creation is claimed to be able to sustain submerged underwater 'flight' at a depth of 10 metres. It's more maneuverable than a military vehicle as well- which are limited to simply driving over submerged terrain. "The real challenge however was to create a submersible car that moves like a fish in water" Rinderknecht added.
In addition to being able to drive under water, the sQuba is a zero emissions vehicle. It's powered by a series of electric motors, rather than a more traditional combustion engine- as the latter don't like to get wet.
Occupants will get wet though, as the sQuba is an open-cabin vehicle. Because of safety and pressure concerns, the decision was made to leave the machine topless. Occupants breathe via an on-board scuba tank, as carrying a larger on-board air supply within a sealed cabin would have increased the weight by some two tones to counteract buoyancy.
An added bonus, the machine can drive on land without the assistance of a human- as a sophisticated laser guidance system can read the road ahead- leaving owners to sit back and enjoy the ride.
What will they think of next?
photo:Rinspeed
Company head Frank M. Rinderknecht is an avid James Bond enthusiast- and the movies are where the inspiration for the sQuba came from. "For three decades I have tried to imagine how it might be possible to build a car that can fly under water. Now we have made this dream come true" Rinderknecht said.
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His latest creation is claimed to be able to sustain submerged underwater 'flight' at a depth of 10 metres. It's more maneuverable than a military vehicle as well- which are limited to simply driving over submerged terrain. "The real challenge however was to create a submersible car that moves like a fish in water" Rinderknecht added.
In addition to being able to drive under water, the sQuba is a zero emissions vehicle. It's powered by a series of electric motors, rather than a more traditional combustion engine- as the latter don't like to get wet.
Occupants will get wet though, as the sQuba is an open-cabin vehicle. Because of safety and pressure concerns, the decision was made to leave the machine topless. Occupants breathe via an on-board scuba tank, as carrying a larger on-board air supply within a sealed cabin would have increased the weight by some two tones to counteract buoyancy.
An added bonus, the machine can drive on land without the assistance of a human- as a sophisticated laser guidance system can read the road ahead- leaving owners to sit back and enjoy the ride.
What will they think of next?
photo:Rinspeed
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