Gibbs Aquada
The Gibbs Aquada is an amphibious vehicle from Gibbs Technologies , which is equipped with the six-cylinder engine of the Land Rover Freelander and, according to the manufacturer, was produced in 2003 and 2004 as a small series of around 50 units, but was not delivered. In 2007, its market launch was announced for 2009, but it did not take place either.
Visually, the Aquada is reminiscent of the Mazda MX-5 , from which its headlights come, but has a plastic body, an aluminum chassis and a mid-engine . The V-engine produces 120 kW (177 hp), which are used for rear-wheel drive or water jet propulsion . The manufacturer states that the maximum speed is over 100 mph (over 160 km / h) on land and over 30 mph (over 25 knots ) on water . In order to achieve high speed on the water, the wheels of the Aquada can be folded in at the push of a button, similar to many aircraft.
60 patents have been registered for the vehicle. One of these patents is called HSA, which stands for High Speed Amphibian.
Richard Branson crossed the English Channel in an Aquada from Dover to Calais in around 90 minutes. In doing so, he broke the record for crossing the canal in an amphibious vehicle, which had previously been held for 40 years by two Frenchmen who took around six hours to cross.
Individual evidence
- ^ Amphibious Car Is Still Waiting to Catch a Wave . The New York Times . October 12, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- ↑ Aqueous mixture . auto motor and sport . May 11, 2004. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- ^ Aquada . Gibbs Technologies. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
- ↑ In an amphibious vehicle across the English Channel in record time . Handelsblatt . June 10, 2004. Retrieved March 28, 2014.