SQuba

Infobox Automobile


boxcolor = blue
name = Rinspeed sQuba
manufacturer = Rinspeed
production = concept car completed in 2008
class = Amphibious convertible
layout = Rear-wheel drive
body_style = 2-door convertible
engine = Street: 54 kW electric Propeller: 2 × 800 W electricBlow jets: 2 × 3.6 kW Rotinor
transmission = R - N - F
wheelbase = convert|2300|mm|in|abbr=on
assembly = Zumikon, Switzerland
length = convert|3785|mm|in|abbr=on
width = convert|1940|mm|in|abbr=on
height = convert|1117|mm|in|abbr=on

The sQuba, developed by Swiss company Rinspeed, is the world's first car that can be driven both on land and under water. [cite web
url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/14/ncar214.xml|title=Off-road rules of going for a sQuba drive|publisher=Daily Telegraph|accessdate=2008-04-23|last=|first=] [http://www.physorg.com/news117377410.html physorg: sQuba: World's First Underwater Car] ] The original idea by Rinspeed founder and CEO Frank M. Rinderknecht was inspired by the 1977 James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me". The Lotus Elise is the basis of this car. [cite web|url=http://www.powerboat-world.com/index.cfm?nid=42035|title=Boating news| publisher=Powerboat-World|accessdate=2008-04-23|last=|first=]

Description

The sQuba is a zero-emission, [ [http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/concept_central/rinspeed_squba_concept_auto_shows Car and Driver: Rinspeed sQuba Concept] ] all electric vehicle which uses three electric motors, one for land travel and two for water. It drives on land powered by its electric rear-wheel drive powertrain, utilizing rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Upon entering water, it floats on the surface until the operator floods the interior to submerge it. It can be submerged to a depth of convert|10|m|ft, powered by twin electric-powered propellers supplemented by two Seabob water jets. It "flies" when underwater, like a submarine, as it is not designed to drive along the surface at the bottom of the water. The car's top land speed is convert|120|km/h|mph|abbr=on. On the surface of water, the top speed is convert|6|km/h|kn mph|abbr=on and underwater it is convert|3|km/h|kn mph|abbr=on. [ [http://www.rinspeed.com/pages/cars/squba/pre-squba-td.htm sQuba specifications] ]

The vehicle can transport a driver and passenger in its open cockpit. The open cockpit design is intended to allow the occupants to escape easily in case of emergency. When underwater, the occupants breathe air carried in the vehicle through scuba-style diving regulators. Without occupants, the sQuba will surface automatically. [ [http://www.netcarshow.com/rinspeed/2008-squba_concept/ NetCarShow: Rinspeed sQuba Concept] ] The twin water jets mounted on rotating louvers at the front of the vehicle provide steering and lift while it is underwater and the propellers at the rear provide forward movement. [http://www.rinspeed.com/pages/cars/squba/pre-squba.htm Rinspeed sQuba] ]

The vehicle's interior is water and salt resistant so that it can be driven in the ocean. [ [http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/14/rinspeeds-squba-becomes-submersible-ridiculous-reality/ engadget: Rinspeed's sQuba becomes submersible, ridiculous reality] ]

The sQuba also comes equipped with a laser sensor system made by autonomous cruise control system manufacturer Ibeo to allow autonomous operation.

Announcement

The sQuba was presented to the public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show on March 16 2008. [http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2008-02-15-squba-car_N.htm USA Today: No fins but Rinspeed's 'sQuba' car still swims. Really!] ]

Prototype and production

The inspiration for the sQuba was the animated Lotus Esprit driven by James Bond in "The Spy Who Loved Me". During the thirty years since the movie premiered, Rinspeed founder and CEO Frank M. Rinderknecht wanted to build a car that could move underwater like a submarine.

The existing, functioning prototype cost more than US$1.5 million to build. When the sQuba enters production, they are expected to "cost less than a Rolls-Royce", according to Rinderknecht. A production schedule has not been made.

Rinderknecht admits that there will be limited appeal for a car that can dive underwater. The car will be marketed as a "toy for rich people".

References

External links

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJC7E06IBXI Youtube video]
* [http://www.rinspeed.com/pages/content/frames_e.htm Rinspeed website]