(Photo: Rinspeed) |
It can be driven on dry land or over water, skimming the latter on a set of extendable wings as opposed to actually displacing it. Rinspeed founder Frank Rinderknecht describes the Splash's over-water motion as similar to that of a surfboard. The Splash has been a part of Rinspeed for several years, and made an appearance at the Geneva Motor Show in 2004.
Splash is a concept machine that also works, and would be challenged by an attempt to cross the English Channel. Not intended for traversing such large bodies of open water, the original design needed modifications for the record
(Photo: Rinspeed) |
Despite having its 80 km/h top-speed crippled by a damaging wave, the Splash successfully completed the 36 kilometre voyage between Dover and Sangatte in less than 194 minutes, making it the fastest hydrofoil car to cross the English Channel.