The Rinspeed sQuba takes its inspiration from the amphibious Lotus Esprit featured in the James Bond film, "The Spy Who Loved Me." At the push of a button, the sQuba transforms from sports car to submarine, able to reach an underwater depth of up to 10 meters (33 feet). An electric motor rated at 37kw and 118 lb-ft of torque drives the vehicle's rear wheels while land-bound, and underwater propulsion is provided by two jet drives in the bow and two propellers in the stern. Rinspeed has dabbled in amphibious vehicles before with the 2004 Splash concept, which also used a hydrofoil to fly above the water's surface, but underwater capability is a first.
Rinspeed says the body's lightweight construction is made possible with the use of Carbon Nano Tubes (although we're not exactly sure what those are) and overall, the vehicle seems to be based on the Lotus Elise, though no mention of that is made by Rinspeed. In anycase, with pure electric power, the vehicle obviously produces no emissions -- a key feature according to Rinspeed. The cabin appears to be open, with no roof, although Rinspeed says that an on-board air supply system provides fresh oxygen to the two occupants. So you won't drown, but you may get a little wet -- good to know.
 |
| rinspeed squba concept |
 |
| rinspeed squba concept |
 |
| rinspeed squba concept |
 |
| rinspeed squba concept |
No comments:
Post a Comment