Rinspeed’s sQuba underwater car

Apparently inspired by the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me, the new sQuba concept car developed by Rinspeed will be launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

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Costing more than $1.6 million to create, the sQuba has been designed to “fly” underwater at a depth of 10 metres.

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Looking curiously like a Lotus Elise, the sQuba was based on the idea of the submersible Lotus Espirit in the Bond film.

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Rinspeed, who are notorious for glamming up Porsches until they gleam like diamonds (sometimes literally), say that engineers had to ensure the car was watertight and pressure-resistant. It also is a convertible for easy exit underwater.

“We always want to do cars that are outrageous, which nobody has done before,” CEO Frank Rinderknecht told The Associated Press. “So we thought, let’s make a car dive.”

“For safety reasons we have built the vehicle as an open car so that the occupants can get out quickly in an emergency.The real challenge, however, was to create a submersible car that moves like a fish in water.”

Would you hop in?

Photos: AP

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16 Responses to “Rinspeed’s sQuba underwater car”

  1. Glen Says:

    Perfect Car for Queensland at the moment

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  2. Oz. Says:

    LOL, sinkable Lotus!

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  3. Lcat Says:

    another car maker doomed to sink.

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  4. alec Says:

    So… Do you hold your breath????

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  5. A-ron Says:

    I see morjor rust issue unless its all plastic =P

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  6. dlr1 Says:

    At least the Bond car was a hard top.

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  7. Frugal One Says:

    Check out the blonde babe, she looks H O T!

    So its not a submarine and watertight, you still need airtanks and a scuba suit which defeats the purpose IMHO

    Cheers

    F-0

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  8. H/L/A/H Says:

    Like to meet the model/trophy girl in the passenger seat for FUN-TIMES!

    Is she a mermaid?

    ATB!

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  9. Lcat Says:

    ^ she’s got legs! more pics of her on rinspeed’s website……

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  10. No Name Says:

    Why on the earth. What a complete waste of developement money.
    Imagine phoning the RACV with flat battery. “Be with you in 45 minutes sir”.

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  11. Bavarian Missile Says:

    Hey s e x y……..morning!

    Been a while! Have been CCing you in on all the latest.Did you get the 2 on the bridge I sent today…..I guess you wouldn’t want ice in the UK at the moment,nor would would you be doing what they were. hahaha

    Hubby has waited on the side of the road for your RACV with some new Merc Coupe once……..freezing cold,not a nice experience……yep it was towed.hahaha Should of had a Vectra Diesel babe!….

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  12. Naughtyius Maximus Says:

    Ha Ha Ha….love that car as am a scuba diver. But it doesnt go deep enough and must be problematical as pressure increases significant as you get deeper. At 10metres is wussy….try 40metres.

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  13. Naughtyius Maximus Says:

    FRUGAL ONE…she looks COOL as cant be HOT underwater. Unless you go to the toilet in wetsuit and then you will really pong more!

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  14. Brittney Says:

    So here i am the blonde from the car.. it WAS BY FAR ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING MODELING jobs i have ever done so far! It was an awesome experience! my myspace is myspace.com/brenbri : )
    and yes i got legs and i know how to use them lol ;)

    xo

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  15. Phill Says:

    What a waste of money

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  16. Alex Baran Says:

    Manufacturer: Rinspeed

    Assembly: Zumikon, Switzerland

    Class: Amphibious convertible

    Engine(s) Street: 54 kW electric
    Propeller: 2 × 800 W electric
    Blow jets: 2 × 3.6 kW Rotinor

    Body style: 2-door convertible

    Wheelbase: 2,300 mm (91 in)

    Length: 3,785 mm (149.0 in)

    Width: 1,940 mm (76 in)

    Height: 1,117 mm (44.0 in)

    (Report)

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