sQuba: World's First Underwater Car

A Swiss company called Rinspeed has recently announced its newest project: an underwater car. Named "sQuba," the car can both drive on roads, and then - at the push of a button - dive up to 10 meters (33 feet) under the sea.

Rinspeed describes sQuba as the world's first real car to drive both on land and underwater, thanks to some cutting-edge technology. The car has a steel chassis, while its lightweight body panels are made of carbon nanotubes.

An electric motor provides rear-wheel drive while on roads. Underwater, two propellers in the stern and two jet drives in the bow propel the "amphibious" vehicle. With zero emissions, the design is even environmentally friendly, eliminating any pollution into the sea.

The two-seater also includes a self-contained on-board oxygen system to supply the driver and passenger with fresh air for breathing.

Rinspeed CEO Frank Rinderknecht admits that part of the inspiration for the underwater car comes from the 1977 James Bond hit "The Spy Who Loved Me." The sQuba concept symbolizes the realization of this fantasy that once sparked his imagination.

"And exactly thirty years later this amazing - yet at the time animated - film sequence materializes and becomes reality, in today's world," said Rinderknecht.

The sQuba car will be presented at the Geneva Motor Show, which runs from March 6-16, 2008. However, mass-production of the car is not planned for the foreseeable future.

More information: Rinspeed

via: Oh Gizmo!