On Land, on Water, and in the Air

AUTHOR

rmcexmgx

Added 1651 story

STORY PHOTOS

Hi, everybody!

Today I would like to share my dream with you of the first and only sports car in the world which can drive, swim and also fly over water. Don’t you believe me? But this car is already exists! The ultimate dream of most young and also elder people is to own a vehicle which allows (almost) unlimited mobility. A dream comes true. Its name is the Rinspeed Splash.

The Rinspeed Splash is a concept amphibian vehicle. Its top speeds achieved are approximately 200 km/h (125 mph) on the road, 50 km/h (32 mph) on the water and 80 km/h (50 mph) flying over the water. Propelled by a 750 ccm 2-cylinder 4-cycle engine burning natural gas which supplies 140hp at 7000rpm and weighing just 825kg, this strange looking vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 5.9 seconds. The Rinspeed Splash features an off centre mounted stern drive which is lowered (tilted) hydraulically. Following the water depth the stern drive will be lowered (tilted) accordingly. The propeller is being driven by the vehicle's engine thru a switchable and controllable transfer gearbox. All elements as the rear hatch, the two lateral wings, the rear wing and the stern drive are activated hydraulically from the cockpit. The hydrofoils and their wing system allow an ascend of the vehicle from the swimming to a flying condition. The relatively small resistance in the water then allows a much higher speed than of a normal boat.

There is no price for the Rinspeed Splash. Unfortunately, it is not for sale. But I hope that someday it will.

"You may say I'm a dreamer,

but I'm not the only one,

I hope some day you'll join us,

And the world will live as one.."

John Lennon / Beatles / "Imagine"

Added on 09-14-2005 by rmcexmgx