Dats Cool

First seen in the movie ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ in 1977. Thirty years later, Rinspeed boss Frank M. Rinderknecht has brought the make belief car to the everyday driver. Known as the “sQuba” it is able to drive on land and submerge at a depth of 10m under water.

The excellence in design has enabled this watertight and pressure resistant car to move like a fish in water without compromising aesthetics. With the look of a sports car based on that of the Lotus Elise, the “sQuba” has three motors located in the rear. One provides propulsion on land and the other two are used for underwater motoring. The engines provide a top speed of 77mph on land, 3 mph on the surface of the water and 1.8 mph underwater. Power to the engines are supplied by rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries making the “sQuba” a zero-emission car.

The absense of a roof was for safety so that passengers could escape easily in an emergency. Although this wasn’t the only reason. Having a roof would have increased the weight by two tons to counteract unwanted bouyancy making it a turtle on land.

The current car which will be unveiled at the Geneva motorshow in March this year cost $1.4 million to make. However, Rinderknecht has said that it would cost less then a Rolls Royce when it hits the market so we assume it will be less then $400,000.

Tags: Automotive, Lotus Elise, Rinspeed, sQuba

Due to popular demand, Koenigsegg has created the CCXR Special Edition.

It features a 4.8L twin supercharged Koenigsegg engine, together with many other unique features. The car is more track biased compared to the standard models, as it has stiffer springs and anti-roll bars, reset dampers and lowered chassis. It also features a fully visible carbon body a large adjustable rear wing, larger front splitter and side strakes for increased down force and a unique forged wheel design.

The CCXR is the second most powerful car in the world that runs on E85 ethanol fuel. It reaches 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds and has a top speed of over 250mph. The Bugatti Veyron is the only other production car that beats the Koenigsegg.

Unveiling of the CCXR will be at the Geneva Motor show in March 2008, where the first delivery will take place with a price tag $2.3 million each.

A far cry from the most famous three-wheeler ever to take to Britain’s roads - Derek Trotter’s Reliant Robin - the environmentally friendly ZAP Alias can go from standstill to 60mph in just 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 156mph. That makes it faster than most four wheeled vehicles on the road.

It is powered by two electric wheel motors, one driving each of the car’s front wheels. Unlike a Reliant Robin, made famous by Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses, the single wheel is at the back.

The car is being manufactured by the American electric car maker ZAP, which stands for Zero Air Pollution.

The two-seater Alias has a range of more than 100 miles before it needs to be recharged, and its two engines generate 322 horse power - as much as a £60,000 Porsche 911 Carrera.

Lotus, the British car company, is helping with its development. The Alias should be in production next year and will cost around $30,000 (£15,000).

Tags: Automotive, Design, lotus, Tech, ZAP