The Rinspeed “Splash” concept car travelled from England to France in 193 min 47 sec yesterday. The time is the quickest figure for any hydrofoil car, and was recorded as a Guinness record. The Splash was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 2004. Whereas “normal” amphibious cars displace the water like a boat and therefore bear some resemblance to a bathtub, the Splash skims over the water on extendable wings like a hydrofoil. The car is powered by a 140 horsepower engine by Weber Motor. The car has a top speed of 50 mph on the water, meaning the trip could have taken far less time if water conditions permitted. At top speed, “even small waves feel as hard as rock,” said pilot Frank M. Rinderknecht. “I may be able to drive at that speed at home in Switzerland on Lake Zurich with no wind and the surface as smooth as glass, but not on one of the most difficult stretches of water in the world.” Gallery after the jump…
07/27, 9:51 AM
posted by:
Me
..Or you could buy a cheap car and drive to a dock and use a cheap boat. What’s the point? I really want to know. Would you take this boat, through twisties in the hills. Let’s see some shots of it in the slalom.
07/27, 10:38 AM
posted by:
Me2
^Shut up
07/27, 10:56 AM
posted by:
Polly
@ #1, there is help available for people with your “condition” you know.
07/27, 12:14 PM
posted by:
GMrules
My Cobalt can fly in outer space.
07/27, 1:55 PM
posted by:
MGBYG
But his creations are still butt-ugly…
07/27, 2:05 PM
posted by:
Leopold Porkstacker
Would have been an even cooler achievement from a technical standpoint if the vehicle used hybrid or solar technology or some other sort of “earth saving” technique.
-he who stacks pork
07/27, 6:01 PM
posted by:
Me3
#1: are you trying to be an idiot? Because you’re succeeding marvelously.
07/27, 7:15 PM
posted by:
dooomasss
Yeah, Me is right, who the hell needs technological innovation for the sake of entertainment or merely as an exhibition of talent . . . . . we must all become emotionless, passionless cyborgs who function for the sole purpose of practicality and efficiency.
07/27, 8:33 PM
posted by:
JaggedXJ
Porkstacker -
I think you are in the wrong blog. Any post of yours I’ve noticed are about MPG, hybrids etc. This is a general automotive blog, NOT a “green” automotive blog. While I agree that MPG and enviromental progress are relevant to today’s auto industry, they are not generally in the front of your typical enthusiasts mind. Performance, handling, weight, price, etc are usually up there.
(If you are being facetious with “earth saving”, since its in quotes, please ignore the above rant)
07/28, 4:24 PM
posted by:
David Hasselhoff
Why don’t you guys kiss and make up