A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of being invited to a focus group on a new British vehicle that is planned to be imported into the USA. It is a sports car on water and a speed boat on the water. It a long way in technology from the 1960's German Amphicar. It can go up to 45 mph on the water and handles very well both on land and on water. It seats three people.
Gibbs Technologies plans the market the vehicle not just as recreational vehicle, but also as a commuter vehicle to avoid traffic for those people who live near waterways.
The questions asked on the focus group consisted mostly on what price they would pay depending on the features the vehicle would have. Most of the people in my group wanted a car that had a top with roll up windows. The projected price of the vehicle is about $75,000. It would be imported with an American motor, so it would easier and cheaper to service.
The model we rode in had no side windows. They showed versions of the car with no windshield or windows or top to versions with full convertible top with power or manual side windows.
Seat and luggage space is an issue with this vehicle. It only seats three, and it has limited luggage space. The driver sits in the middle, so that the vehicle can be sold in any country in the same basic configuration.
I had a ball in the water test drive. This car I would love to own.
Think about it, you don't need to tow a boat to the water. You just drive to the boat ramp and go into the water. A great idea.
This my video of the Aquada going into the water:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m29BgAzbg0
These are some pictures of this cool car-boat:
Black Aquada front view
Black Aquada rear view
Yellow Aquada front view
Yellow Aquada rear view
Aquada instruments
Aquada - driver's seat
Aquada interior
Aquada motor cover - the vehicle is mid-engine.
Aquada radio. there is a cover that flips up to protect it from the water.
Aquada trunk. Fire extinquiher is include. Those bars are for jacking up the vehicle.
Aquada on the water.
Aquada's wake
More videos, pictures and information on this vehicle as well as other amphibious vehicles Gibbs Technologies makes can be found at http://www.gibbstech.co.uk/aquada.php .
Gibbs Technologies plans the market the vehicle not just as recreational vehicle, but also as a commuter vehicle to avoid traffic for those people who live near waterways.
The questions asked on the focus group consisted mostly on what price they would pay depending on the features the vehicle would have. Most of the people in my group wanted a car that had a top with roll up windows. The projected price of the vehicle is about $75,000. It would be imported with an American motor, so it would easier and cheaper to service.
The model we rode in had no side windows. They showed versions of the car with no windshield or windows or top to versions with full convertible top with power or manual side windows.
Seat and luggage space is an issue with this vehicle. It only seats three, and it has limited luggage space. The driver sits in the middle, so that the vehicle can be sold in any country in the same basic configuration.
I had a ball in the water test drive. This car I would love to own.
Think about it, you don't need to tow a boat to the water. You just drive to the boat ramp and go into the water. A great idea.
This my video of the Aquada going into the water:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m29BgAzbg0
These are some pictures of this cool car-boat:
Black Aquada front view
Black Aquada rear view
Yellow Aquada front view
Yellow Aquada rear view
Aquada instruments
Aquada - driver's seat
Aquada interior
Aquada motor cover - the vehicle is mid-engine.
Aquada radio. there is a cover that flips up to protect it from the water.
Aquada trunk. Fire extinquiher is include. Those bars are for jacking up the vehicle.
Aquada on the water.
Aquada's wake
More videos, pictures and information on this vehicle as well as other amphibious vehicles Gibbs Technologies makes can be found at http://www.gibbstech.co.uk/aquada.php .