Tekknikal
06-14-2007, 02:54 PM
Ok so maybe you (or most of you) wouldn't go that far - so how about Buck Island then?
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Misc/Aquada/aquada-7.jpg" height="268" width="450" />
A fairly new company called Gibbs Technologies is working on bringing its amphibious car- currently available in Europe- stateside...
<!--more-->
The car, or boat....or as they call it, the Aquada, was built in 2003, and showcases Gibbs Technologies High Speed Amphibian (HSA) technology.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Misc/Aquada/aquada-9.jpg" />
At the center of that technology is a jet propulsion system, developed by Gibbs, mated to a 175hp 2.5L V6 24 valve engine. The engine can propel the 2,950lb car to about 110mph on land, achieving a 0-60mph time of under 10 seconds. On the water, the jet/engine combination will bring the vehicle on plane in 5 seconds and up to about 35mph, thanks to a relatively high (for amphibious vehicles) power to weight ratio.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Misc/Aquada/aquada-1.jpg" />
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Misc/Aquada/aquada-3.jpg" />
On land, Gibbs claims that the Aquada was designed to perform like a sports car. Although no specific car was mentioned, based on the performance numbers given, it probably isn't too high end. Regardless, the Aquada features a 4 speed automatic transmission, disc brakes all around, 16x6.5J wheels with 215mm and 225mm wide tires attached front and rear, and a 15 gallon fuel tank. When it's time to go into the water, the car prepares itself at the touch of a button. First it checks to ensure that it really is in water, then it checks water depth before engaging the jet and retracting the wheels. Finally, it switches to marine lighting. All of that takes about 4 seconds.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Misc/Aquada/aquada-4.jpg" />
On water, Gibbs claims that the jet and retractable wheel combo make the Aquada a better amphibious vehicle than anything before it. For water use it features dihedral trim tabs and three independent bilge pumps. The Aquada does not feature doors though, and the entire body is bonded aluminum, which helps to protect it from leaks.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Misc/Aquada/aquada-8.jpg" />
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Misc/Aquada/aquada-10.jpg" />
Sounds good so far, yes?
Well, the Aquada currently carries a base price of 150,000 British Pounds, which amounts to roughly US$300,000. Yes I know what you're thinking- and I agree, they really need to work on the looks and performance of it before they keep saying its more fun than you could have with a Lamborghini and an open road... BUT don't stop reading yet. Gibbs primary aim with the Aquada is to convince manufacturers to see the value in his technologies via his Aquada prototype, and license his technology for street cars. He envisions a day in the future where one could opt for such a package at the dealership, as the Aquada is just an example of his ability to take an ordinary street car and make it amphibious. Also, when he starts selling the car in 2009 in the US, he hopes to market the car to customers for about $85,000.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Misc/Aquada/aquada-14.jpg" />
And what's more- Gibbs Technologies is looking for a US location to establish a presence and begin testing. Apparently they're looking at Michigan, and although winters there can be unfriendly to boats, they are currently in talks with Michigan's Economic Development Commission.
Maybe we can get them in touch with the USVI's EDC? They would get their US presence established, as well as a major discount on tax rates, nearly ideal weather all year round, and a lot of water- of varying conditions- to test with. The VI, in return, would receive their (discounted) corporate taxes directly, and would also benefit from jobs created and increased demand.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Misc/Aquada/gibbs-aquada-water-ski.jpg" height="245" width="414" />
Although I'm not sure we'll be seeing them all over the place (I know I could think of other ways to spend $100-300k....) maybe there are enough people with enough money to make it work... and maybe the VI would be a good place for them?
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Misc/Aquada/aquada-7.jpg" height="268" width="450" />
A fairly new company called Gibbs Technologies is working on bringing its amphibious car- currently available in Europe- stateside...
<!--more-->
The car, or boat....or as they call it, the Aquada, was built in 2003, and showcases Gibbs Technologies High Speed Amphibian (HSA) technology.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Misc/Aquada/aquada-9.jpg" />
At the center of that technology is a jet propulsion system, developed by Gibbs, mated to a 175hp 2.5L V6 24 valve engine. The engine can propel the 2,950lb car to about 110mph on land, achieving a 0-60mph time of under 10 seconds. On the water, the jet/engine combination will bring the vehicle on plane in 5 seconds and up to about 35mph, thanks to a relatively high (for amphibious vehicles) power to weight ratio.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Misc/Aquada/aquada-1.jpg" />
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Misc/Aquada/aquada-3.jpg" />
On land, Gibbs claims that the Aquada was designed to perform like a sports car. Although no specific car was mentioned, based on the performance numbers given, it probably isn't too high end. Regardless, the Aquada features a 4 speed automatic transmission, disc brakes all around, 16x6.5J wheels with 215mm and 225mm wide tires attached front and rear, and a 15 gallon fuel tank. When it's time to go into the water, the car prepares itself at the touch of a button. First it checks to ensure that it really is in water, then it checks water depth before engaging the jet and retracting the wheels. Finally, it switches to marine lighting. All of that takes about 4 seconds.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Misc/Aquada/aquada-4.jpg" />
On water, Gibbs claims that the jet and retractable wheel combo make the Aquada a better amphibious vehicle than anything before it. For water use it features dihedral trim tabs and three independent bilge pumps. The Aquada does not feature doors though, and the entire body is bonded aluminum, which helps to protect it from leaks.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Misc/Aquada/aquada-8.jpg" />
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Misc/Aquada/aquada-10.jpg" />
Sounds good so far, yes?
Well, the Aquada currently carries a base price of 150,000 British Pounds, which amounts to roughly US$300,000. Yes I know what you're thinking- and I agree, they really need to work on the looks and performance of it before they keep saying its more fun than you could have with a Lamborghini and an open road... BUT don't stop reading yet. Gibbs primary aim with the Aquada is to convince manufacturers to see the value in his technologies via his Aquada prototype, and license his technology for street cars. He envisions a day in the future where one could opt for such a package at the dealership, as the Aquada is just an example of his ability to take an ordinary street car and make it amphibious. Also, when he starts selling the car in 2009 in the US, he hopes to market the car to customers for about $85,000.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Misc/Aquada/aquada-14.jpg" />
And what's more- Gibbs Technologies is looking for a US location to establish a presence and begin testing. Apparently they're looking at Michigan, and although winters there can be unfriendly to boats, they are currently in talks with Michigan's Economic Development Commission.
Maybe we can get them in touch with the USVI's EDC? They would get their US presence established, as well as a major discount on tax rates, nearly ideal weather all year round, and a lot of water- of varying conditions- to test with. The VI, in return, would receive their (discounted) corporate taxes directly, and would also benefit from jobs created and increased demand.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Misc/Aquada/gibbs-aquada-water-ski.jpg" height="245" width="414" />
Although I'm not sure we'll be seeing them all over the place (I know I could think of other ways to spend $100-300k....) maybe there are enough people with enough money to make it work... and maybe the VI would be a good place for them?