Spy Who Loved Me’s dream is realised
Most of us have seen 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me and fallen in love with James Bond's car-turned-submarine in the form of a Lotus Espirit. Ever since, we've all dreamt of a car that we can drive underwater when we fancy a splash.
Fortunately for us, Frank Rinderknecht, CEO of Swiss automobile manufacturer, Rinspeed, shares that very same dream.
Rinspeed is well known for bringing a far from ordinary concept car to the Geneva Motor Show on an annual basis. This year, it seems as though Rinderknecht's dream will finally be realised as Rinspeed will be debuting its "sQuba" - touted as the first car that can actually fly underwater.
"For three decades I have tried to imagine how it might be possible to build a car that can fly under water. Now we have made this dream come true", says Rinderknecht.
The sQuba, pictured above, promises to remain stable at a depth of 10 metres and Rinderknecht claims it to be almost as manoeuvrable as a fish under water.
As you'd expect (or hope), the sQuba doesn't have a normal engine. That was removed and replaced by three electric motors; one provides propulsion on land, the other two drive the screws for underwater motoring.
You will of course notice one significant difference between the sQuba and Bond's fake Lotus Espirit - the sQuba has no roof. Don't therefore expect to be taking it underwater in your best tuxedo, you'll need your underwater gear but thankfully, the car does provide an integrated tank of compressed air, as used by scuba divers.
Rinderknecht states: "For safety reasons we have built the vehicle as an open car so that the occupants can get out quickly in an emergency. With an enclosed cabin opening the door might be impossible."
Yeah I know, doesn't exactly fill you with confidence about driving underwater. Still, I love it. It's like a childhood toy car - only, real! It isn't exactly practical, you'd have to drive around town in your scuba gear before going for a "dive". Either that or you'd have to drive to the coast and then get changed. Nonetheless, it's just so cool.
If you don't believe me, have a look at this oh-so-cheesy promotional video:
The Geneva Motor Show begins on March 6th and we can't wait to see Rinspeed unveil this incredible car.
Official press release: Rinspeed’s Zero-Emission World Debut at the Geneva Motor Show - a Green “Fish” with Q-Factor
Official website: Rinspeed.com
