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Geneva 08: Rinspeed sQuba diving car video and mega-gallery

Geneva 08: Rinspeed sQuba diving car video and mega-gallery

Nelson Ireson February 14th, 2008 Nelson Ireson By Nelson Ireson Author February 14th, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 Fantasies of James Bond's underwater exploits running through your head? Thanks to Rinspeed's Squba, you can make your fantasies real - provided you have a suitably adventurous companion and a desire to submerge a perfectly good Lotus, of course. We brought you the initial story on Rinspeed's plans last December, but now the real thing is getting ready for Geneva. Read on for a video and full gallery. A zero-emission vehicle, the sQuba has the capability to drive on land, on water and up to 10m under water. Thanks to its Lotus chassis, the sQuba moves like a cat on land, and with Swiss firm Esoro's help, it moves like a fish underwater. The first step in the process was removing the car's dependance on air - so the petrol motor was out, and electric motors were in. Next the car had to be sealed air tight - electricity and water don't mix, after all - although the open top means the passenger compartment is flooded when under water. Power comes from lithium-ion batteries - and the zero-emission status of the car is reinforced by another Bond gadget: a rotating license plate in the rear. While underwater, the car is powered by SeaBob jet drives that reside in directional nozzles on the sides of the vehicle. Three motors provide propulsion, one on land and the other two in the water. Occupants breathe from an integrated compressed air tank similar to those used by scuba divers. The open top of the vehicles isn't just for sun-and-surf cruising: if things get ugly underwater, the open top makes for easy exit - and when you're being chased by evil super-villains, things have a tendency to get ugly. The sQuba will be on show at Geneva next month, but until then we have an extensive gallery of photos and a video to fuel your imagination. Rinspeed sQuba Geneva 2008
Geneva 08: Rinspeed sQuba diving car video and mega-gallery

Geneva 08: Rinspeed sQuba diving car video and mega-gallery

Enlarge Photo

Fantasies of James Bond's underwater exploits running through your head? Thanks to Rinspeed's Squba, you can make your fantasies real - provided you have a suitably adventurous companion and a desire to submerge a perfectly good Lotus, of course. We brought you the initial story on Rinspeed's plans last December, but now the real thing is getting ready for Geneva. Read on for a video and full gallery.

A zero-emission vehicle, the sQuba has the capability to drive on land, on water and up to 10m under water. Thanks to its Lotus chassis, the sQuba moves like a cat on land, and with Swiss firm Esoro's help, it moves like a fish underwater. The first step in the process was removing the car's dependance on air - so the petrol motor was out, and electric motors were in. Next the car had to be sealed air tight - electricity and water don't mix, after all - although the open top means the passenger compartment is flooded when under water. Power comes from lithium-ion batteries - and the zero-emission status of the car is reinforced by another Bond gadget: a rotating license plate in the rear.

While underwater, the car is powered by SeaBob jet drives that reside in directional nozzles on the sides of the vehicle. Three motors provide propulsion, one on land and the other two in the water. Occupants breathe from an integrated compressed air tank similar to those used by scuba divers. The open top of the vehicles isn't just for sun-and-surf cruising: if things get ugly underwater, the open top makes for easy exit - and when you're being chased by evil super-villains, things have a tendency to get ugly.

The sQuba will be on show at Geneva next month, but until then we have an extensive gallery of photos and a video to fuel your imagination.

Rinspeed sQuba Geneva 2008
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Tags: Other Auto Shows

Posted in: Auto Shows, Concept Cars


Comments (12 total)

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  1. By kukslv #1, Posted: 2/14/2008

    Awesome car, but du they have crashtest under the water?

  2. By Roy #2, Posted: 2/14/2008

    Despite the video (or perhaps because of it) I must express skepticism. I do not understand how the car controls its attitude or depth underwater. I thought it was going to be via the jets on the side of the car, but they do not appear to move. Also, there were enough bubbles to suggest ballast tanks. Finally, what is the range of this vehicle on land vs underwater? It appears that the 10m means a depth of 10 meters, not a range of 10 miles.
    It still appears to be movie magic to me. If it is real, it's really quite cool, although of extremely limited utility - I can think of exactly one instance in which a submersible vessel with such a limited range would be useful - let's hope they open a dealership in Hawaii!

  3. By Roy #3, Posted: 2/14/2008

    It does give new meaning to the phrase "Spy Shot"!

  4. By claudio #4, Posted: 2/15/2008

    it s really fantastuc . i wish to get contact from your firm . i m lookig for a position as a sell car in asia and russia ........ wait for a replay sure you ll agree on different market and posible commercial partnership

  5. By Gus #5, Posted: 2/15/2008

    This falls under the category:
    "Just because it CAN be done, doesn't mean it SHOULD..."

  6. By Ivan #6, Posted: 2/15/2008

    Just rediculous. Cabrio submarine? Imagine sitting in wet suit under water . . . comfy.
    If u want to make sub, make it waterproof, add oxygen tank or something.
    How can they market this thing? I can't believe what i am seeing.

  7. By JODY #7, Posted: 2/16/2008

    NOW THAT IS ONE BAD ASS MOTHER OF A CAR.I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CAR LIKE THAT!I HOPE IT COMES ON THE SHOW ROOM FLOORS VERY SOON.RELY GOOD JOB

  8. By TAV #8, Posted: 2/19/2008

    It is a advertising course and no more. Such car will be never created in a reality.

  9. By Daniel D. #9, Posted: 2/19/2008

    Don't destroy our dreams TAV :'-(

  10. By Cliff #10, Posted: 2/20/2008

    Incredible car, I wish the video was better!

  11. By Ali #11, Posted: 2/20/2008

    Roy: I would assume that one of the 2 levers on the diver side is used to control depth. As far as how far this car can go underwater, well keeping in mind this thing is electricly powered it will all depend on just how long the battery can go until it runs out. I'm sure it's no less than half an hour though as this has been done several times with other car makers already and they've achieved up to an hour underwater with their concepts.

    As one person put it, this is probably not something we'll see in a future market anytime soon but I wouldn't be opposed to the idea of having it on a resort in Haiwaii either :)

  12. By Sir Yappie #12, Posted: 2/20/2008

    its been designed to appear in the next Bond film...

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