Gibbs Aquada.. the new version of Amphicar...

[DarkPhenix]

Gibbs Aquada

Amphibious cars have always been a bit of a compromise. Although they can travel on water and land, nobody has made one that is actually very good in either environment - until now.

Gibbs Technologies, based in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, claims its Aquada is a sports car and a speedboat all in one. To find out if these bold claims are true, Auto Express got behind the wheel for the first ever UK test drive.

From the front, the Aquada looks like a beefed-up Mazda MX-5 - mainly because it borrows its headlamps from the roadster. However, jump inside and the similarities end. For a start there are no doors, so you enter by climbing in over the side - as you would a boat. Also, there are three seats rather than two, with the driver positioned centrally - as in the McLaren F1 - and you sit high up, similar to an MPV.

Power comes from the 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine used in the Land Rover Freelander. It's mid-mounted and connected to the rear wheels via a four-speed auto gearbox. With 175bhp on tap, the unit propels the Aquada from 0-60mph in about 8.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 110mph. The engine sounds fantastic under acceleration and emits an intoxicating thrum from the

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air intake. However, as the speed rises, so does the wind buffeting, and the lack of a roof means there's absolutely no protection from the elements.

It may be a boat on wheels, but on the road the Aquada handles more like a genuine sports car than a barge. Its Citroen-sourced gas suspension has been stiffened to give a firmer ride, and the car's cornering ability belies the lofty ride height and 1,450kg weight.

Near-perfect weight distribution, plus a huge front anti-roll bar, help it remain flat through even the tightest of turns. Also, the steering is incredibly direct, and it's possible to tighten your line mid-bend using the throttle - just as you would in a proper sports car.

Be warned, though, as the Aquada's considerable bulk means it needs to be treated with respect when pressing on. Fortunately, the brakes are impressive and provide more than enough feel, although there's no ABS. In fact, safety equipment is rather limited, apart from the flares, life jackets and fire extinguisher included as standard!

The Aquada is pretty impressive, and more fun to drive than a lot of modern saloons. But for the £150,000 asking price you could buy a Ferrari 575M.

Some pics:

PS: i can't post a a4 poster because the file is too large...

[Mustang]

ha wow when i see cars like that i always think how many car chases that you could get away from, imagine rob a bank speed off to the sea drive away, buy a massive mansion, get your pc so that u can go in UCP then buy a load of great cars

[SilverG35SportC]

That is pretty sweet. I actually like the look and the performance is pretty decent for a Boat-car.

[Coventrysucks]

I hate those shower of b*****ds.
I sent them a very polite email requesting some info about amphibious vehicles (last year before they launched this) to do with a uni project I was working on.

I didn't any sort of reply, not even saying "we're very busy, sorry."
Then literally the week after I handed in the project they released it, which is pretty much the same concept as I had - a recreational amphibious vehicle.

I was mightily p***ed off I can tell you.

Not bitter about it, or holding a grudge...

[360_challenge]

Yeh that car was on 5th gear a few weeks back, and richard brandson is buying one

[PazMaz]

That car(boat) looks swet. If i had any money i would get one, but sadly being a teenager, the closest thing that i can get my hands on is a rubber dingy with weels glued on

[Coventrysucks]

Originally Posted by PazMaz

rubber dingy with weels glued on

Not a bad idea! If only someone hadn't thought of it before...
www.itcapital.net

[cls12vg30]

Hah cool idea, but that thing costs $69,000 USD, so I don't think that solves PazMaz's problem.

[UK CARS]

ex mazda mx5