UK-based Gibbs Technologies has engaged the services of Saleen Inc. to
build its two high-speed amphibious vehicles – the Aquada and Quadski – with
manufacturing design and engineering work to be carried out at Saleen’s
headquarters in Troy, Michigan.
A pioneer in High Speed Amphibian (HSA) vehicles, Gibbs
announced in June last year that it plans to introduce the two amphibians in
the United States in late 2009 or early 2010.
The Aquada is a sportscar that can transition from land to
water at the touch of a button, and in less than 10 seconds. When on water, it
is capable of achieving 40 mph, much like a speedboat, and is thus ideal for
water sports activities like water-skiing.
On the other hand, the Quadski is an all-terrain vehicle
that “transforms” into a jetski on water and lets you slice the surf at 40 mph.
The company’s founder Alan Gibbs says the Quadski could also
be used in emergency rescue or military operations, for example, to “reach
areas and people no two or four wheel drive vehicle can reach”.
The company guards its HSA technology with a vengeance, and
has already filed more than 70 patents to protect it, according to Gibbs
president and CEO Neil Jenkins.
In
2004, the company successfully tested a prototype HSA, which crossed the
English Channel in a record-setting time of less than two hours.
www.gibbstech.com
via WWJ / Jalopnik