Rinspeed sQuba

The sQuba, developed by Swiss company Rinspeed, is the world's first car that can be driven both on land and under water.[1][2] The original idea by Rinspeed founder and CEO Frank M. Rinderknecht was inspired by the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. The chassis from the Lotus Elise is used as the base for this vehicle.[3]

Rinspeed sQuba
Overview
ManufacturerRinspeed
ProductionConcept car (completed in 2008)
AssemblyZumikon, Switzerland
Body and chassis
ClassAmphibious
Convertible
Body style2-door convertible
LayoutFR layout
RelatedLotus Elise
Powertrain
EngineStreet: 54 kW electric
Propeller: 2 × 800 W electric
Blow jets: 2 × 3.6 kW Rotinor
TransmissionR - N - F
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,300 mm (91 in)
Length3,785 mm (149.0 in)
Width1,940 mm (76 in)
Height1,117 mm (44.0 in)

Description

The sQuba is a zero-emission,[4] all electric vehicle which uses three electric motors, one for land travel, two for water. It drives on land powered by its electric rear-wheel drive powertrain, using rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Upon entering water, it floats on the surface until the operator floods the interior to submerge it. It can be submerged to a depth of 10 metres (33 ft), powered by twin electric-powered propellers supplemented by two Seabob water jets.[5] It "flies" when underwater, like a submarine, as it is not designed to drive along the surface at the bottom of the water. The car's top land speed is 120 km/h (75 mph). On the surface of water, the top speed is 6 km/h (3.2 kn; 3.7 mph) and underwater it is 3 km/h (1.6 kn; 1.9 mph).[6]

The vehicle can transport a driver and passenger in its open cockpit. The open cockpit design is intended to allow the occupants to escape easily in case of emergency. When underwater, the occupants breathe air carried in the vehicle through scuba-style diving regulators. Without occupants, the sQuba will surface automatically.[7] The twin water jets mounted on rotating louvers at the front of the vehicle provide steering and lift while it is underwater and the propellers at the rear provide forward movement.[8]

The vehicle's interior is water and salt resistant so that it can be driven in the ocean.[9]

The sQuba also comes equipped with a laser sensor system made by autonomous cruise control system manufacturer Ibeo to allow autonomous operation.[8]

Announcement

The sQuba was presented to the public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show on 16 March 2008.[10]

Prototype and production

The inspiration for the sQuba was the Lotus Esprit driven by James Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me. During the thirty years since the movie premiered, Rinspeed founder and CEO Frank M. Rinderknecht wanted to build a car that could move underwater like a submarine.[8]

The existing, functioning prototype cost more than US$1.5 million to build.[10] When the sQuba enters production, they are expected to "cost less than a Rolls-Royce", according to Rinderknecht. A production schedule has not been made.[2]

Rinderknecht admits that there will be limited appeal for a car that can dive underwater. The car will be marketed as a "toy for rich people".[10]

References
  1. Adams, Stephen (12 April 2008). "Off-road rules of going for a sQuba drive". London: Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 23 April 2008.
  2. "sQuba: World's First Underwater Car". physorg. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  3. "Boating news". Powerboat-World. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2008.
  4. "Rinspeed sQuba Concept". Car and Driver. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  5. "Rinspeed Squba, The First Underwater Flying Car". autoforsale.co.in. Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  6. "sQuba specifications". Rinspeed.com. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  7. "Rinspeed sQuba Concept". NetCarShow. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  8. "Rinspeed sQuba". Rinspeed.com. 16 March 2008. Archived from the original on 7 January 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  9. "Rinspeed's sQuba becomes submersible, ridiculous reality". engadget. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  10. Klapper, Bradley S. (18 February 2008). "No fins but Rinspeed's 'sQuba' car still swims. Really!". USA Today. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
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