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New amphibious vehicle to debut in US claims record speed

The $40,000 Quadski, a combination ATV and personal watercraft, goes 45 mph on land and at sea.

By Claire_Martin Oct 15, 2012 1:44PM
An all-terrain vehicle that lets drivers tear it up in the sand dunes before motoring into the ocean for a dip will go on sale in the U.S. in November. In just five seconds, the wheels retract, transforming the Quadski into a sea-faring vehicle, and then redeploy when it strikes land.

The Quadski, manufactured by Michigan-based Gibbs, promises to be the fastest amphibious vehicle ever made, topping out at 45 mph on the water. It's also the latest in a long line of amphibious vehicles.

World War II saw the development of military vehicles such as the Volkswagen Schwimmwagen, which used a drop-down propeller in the rear of the car (pictured below). Perhaps the most famous are the U.S. Army's six-wheeled DUKW amphibious trucks -- nicknamed "Duck" -- that stormed Normandy on D-Day and now ferry tourists around Boston, Chicago, London and other cities. 

VW Schwimmwagen photo by Jason Vogel

In the 1960s and '70s, smaller aqueous ATVs enjoyed a degree of popularity. The design for the American-built Thiokol Model 1300 Swamp Spryte (below) was based on that of a snowcat.

Swamp Spryte photo by Melensdad
The vehicles worked their way into popular culture when James Bond rocked a Lotus Esprit Submarine in the 1977 film "The Spy Who Loved Me." In the midst of a helicopter chase, the car plunged into the ocean, where it kept chugging along as a submarine.

In 2009, Water Car's Python debuted as an actual production vehicle -- a "hot rod in the water -- and a hot rod on the street," according to the company's website. The vehicle's price tag is a cool $200,000.

Water Car Python photo by Water Car
Before the Quadski, Gibbs built the Aquada, which Richard Branson famously drove across the English Channel in 2004. The Aquada could hit 100 mph on land and 30 mph by sea, but was never deemed street-legal in the U.S.

Gibbs Aquada photo by Gibbs
The Quadski will retail for $40,000, which may give it a better chance of going mainstream than some of its forebears. That said, it still costs more than 10 times the price of many ATVs. In this down economy, it could very easily drown. 

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60Comments
Howlin Mad Mac
Oct 17, 2012 12:08PM
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Um, $40,000.00? Ya know for that kind of scratch you could buy a new pickup, jet ski & a trailer & the truck w/ trailer will do 65mph+ on land & the jet ski 45 on the water... and you won't get wet driving the truck in the rain.
Saggy_Ballz
Oct 17, 2012 11:39AM
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A Quadski and an aneurysm: Two worthless things I don't need...
g cox
Oct 17, 2012 11:46AM
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Nice and looks like fun but they need to trim that price. For that much i can get 2 Razors and 2 Yamaha wave Runners and take friends with me.
doc of schlep
Oct 17, 2012 11:57AM
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Back in the 60's a guy who owned a bar famous for his two attack dogs would drive down to the lake and take his fully water ready little car out for a spin on Lake Michigan.  He and his two dogs would be seen putting along taking waves and enjoying the fresh lake breezes and cooler air.  This was before apartments always had AC.  People would laugh and stare, but olde Steve didn't care!  That olde man was a favorite of the younger crowd then and his bar was packed every night!  Those were the deze my friend, we thought they'd never end . . . .
johnny stugots
Oct 17, 2012 2:12PM
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Big deal. I've been driving cars into lakes and rivers for years. Heck, even into the occasional swimming pool.
NewGawker
Oct 17, 2012 12:48PM
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A lot of people are talking about what they could buy for the same price of the water car.  You guys are missing the point.  These things are for people who have tons of money to spare and want another toy to add to their collection.  
merlin granberg (m granberg)
Oct 17, 2012 11:34AM
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Water cars are very kool I remember Ford sold some back in the 60's, they make great cars for fishing and a great get-a-way vehicle.
dlemanuncle j
Oct 17, 2012 12:28PM
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what made in america,don't belive that
myDrain
Oct 17, 2012 1:19PM
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What's that think made out of?  Unobtanium?
Sømeønelse
Oct 17, 2012 12:35PM
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looks like trash my nine year old would want...

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