Aquada

That looks like one strange boat, doesn't it? But then, it’s probably because it is not a boat. What you are looking at is one of the best and the most advanced amphibious vehicles-Aquada.
Aquada is an amphibious vehicle which can be driven over land as well as water. On land, it looks pretty much like any other car, but that is where the similarities end. You can drive aquada straight into the water, and it won’t miss a beat. It can go from car to boat in a matter of seconds- 12 to be precise.

It was created by Gibbs Technologies in 2003, and is being currently sold at about £150,000.

The Build:
As you can see, the Aquada almost looks like a normal car. The most obvious difference is that it is a three-seater, with the driver’s seat right in the centre. Another striking difference is the lack of doors altogether. You have to jump into the car. The absence of doors serves a greater purpose then giving you some exercise and keeping fat people out. It seals out the water completely when you are using it over water.
Beneath the surface, Aquada is a lot different than anything you have ever seen. Take the wheels, for example. When you enter water, the wheels are pulled in, almost like airplane tyres.
A unique lightweight and compact jet propels the car in water. The jet is about 35 inches long and weighs just 88 pounds(40 Kg). That is pretty light considering the amount of power it generates.

The Boast:
Aquada boasts of a top speed of 100 mph speed on land, and 30 mph speed on water. That’s pretty fast! And that’s because Aquada isn’t just a boat with wheels, or a car that floats. It is a true HSA(High Speed Amhibian) that was built from scratch to perform well in both fields. It feels at home in water just as much as it does on land. Gibbs Technologies have over 60 Aquada related patents covering technical innovations.
Aquada looks pretty smart too. On land, it handles a lot like a sports car. It is powered by a 175 horsepower, V6, 2.5 litre, 24 valve engine that enables it to go from 0-60 mph in 10 seconds on land, while the jet powered by the same engine propels the car to it’s maximum speed in just 5 seconds.
It is also one of the safest and most tested vehicles around. It undergoes a salt-spraying test for 2,000 hours, about four times longer than conventional vehicles. It also has residual buoyancy, which means that you cannot sink it, no matter what. And no, you may NOT blow it up with a missile to prove me wrong.

The Specs:
>> Transmission: Four-speed automatic
>> Brakes: All-round discs
>> Tires: F215x65, R225x60
>> Wheels: F-16 X 6.5J; Alloy 6-spoke
>> Fuel capacity: 15 gallons (57 liters)
>> Fuel type: 95 Ron Unleaded
>> Trim tabs: Dihedral trim (Trim tabs are plates attached to the rear of the vehicle that push down on the water to help the vehicle plane.)
>> Bilge pumps: Three independent systems (Bilge pumps remove water taken on due to normal operation.)
>> Weight: 2,976 pounds (1,350 kg)

Implications:
Ok, so it looks smart, drives well, and costs a ton. So what? How is that going to change anything?
Well, for starters, you can go out for a fishing trip any time you want…in your car! You won’t need to spend a fortune on any power boat, because this beats most power boats.
And of course, this one’s a chick magnet as well. C’mon! which girl wouldn’t be impressed by a guy who is brave enough to jump into a river in his car?

But think of the implications it has on the need for infrastructure. If everyone had such a car, there would be no longer be any need for bridges over calm rivers. Of course, the current price ensures that it is out of reach for the masses. Ah…well…it is back to bridges for the time being.

The original article is at LaymanHack

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