Splish-Splash! Gibbs Amphibious Vehicles Bound for U.S. in 2009

June 14, 2007

DETROIT — Gibbs Technologies, a U.K. firm, said it has two amphibious vehicles planned for U.S. introduction in 2009, including the Aquada, a vehicle described as combining "the handling of a sports car with an ability to travel at more than 30 miles per hour on water."

The second vehicle is the Quadski, an all-terrain vehicle that looks something like a Jet Ski in images released by the company. A spinoff company called Gibbs Military Amphibians is said to be developing high-speed amphibious vehicles for military use under an agreement with Lockheed Martin. A fleet of 10 Aquadas is currently undergoing tests in Southeastern Michigan.

The company acknowledges that amphibious vehicles have long been discussed but never have quite caught on with the public. Porsche built an estimated 5,000 Type 166 Schwimmwagens in the 1940s, and the U.S. produced thousands of amphibious vehicles during World War II — but they didn't go faster than 7 mph.

"A commercially viable high-speed amphibious vehicle has eluded auto manufacturers, entrepreneurs and inventors for more than 100 years," said Alan Gibbs, the firm's founder and chairman. "Recent developments in lightweight materials, engine technology and vehicle architecture, however, have enabled us to accomplish what many believed to be impossible."

Article Reference: Splish-Splash! Gibbs Amphibious Vehicles Bound for U.S. in 2009

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that middle one looks tough

that would be sweet....just be driving down the road and decide you wanna go into the lake....swweeeetttt

Amphibious three-seater offers sporty ride on road, plenty of power on sea; Mich. in contention for plant.

July 7, 2007
ORCHARD LAKE -- Drive on in, the water is fine.

Push the blue land/water button as you drive down the boat ramp and as soon as the car reaches two feet of water, the wheels fold up under the wheel wells, the red and green navigation lights switch on and more than 2,000 pounds of thrust rumble in waiting.

This is the way I traveled Friday in the Aquada, an innovative amphibious three-seater that holds its own by land and sea.

Neil Jenkins, president and CEO of Gibbs Technologies, gently touched the accelerator as we headed out into Orchard Lake. He wasn't worried about the Aquada's seaworthiness, but rather the Oakland County Sheriff watching nearby from his patrol boat.

"Every time we come into the water, he pulls us over to make sure we're legal," Jenkins quipped as we headed through the No Wake Zone.

Clearing the last buoy, Jenkins adjusted the trim and floored it, the Aquada's bow lifted and we took off.

Street legal and boat registered, the Aquada offers a sporty ride on the road and enough power to pull a water skier. Currently, Jenkins and company founder Alan Gibbs have opened an office in Troy to plan the production of the Aquada and other amphibious vehicles, including a true ATV that covers trails and lakes, a six-seater Aquada, and military variants that can carry troops.

Boat has Bond flair

The company is considering establishing a research and development center around Detroit but has not finalized any plans, Jenkins said. It is also investigating where to locate a factory to build its amphibious vehicles and has said Michigan is in contention for the facility.

An engineer by trade, Jenkins zigzagged the lake as we circled Apple Island at a top speed of 35 mph. The boat has James Bond flair on the water, attracting the attention of onlookers who pointed and waved as we zipped past.

When water sprayed across the windshield, Jenkins turned on the wipers.

"Not many boats this size come with windshield wipers, much less three mirrors," he said.

Indeed. And not many boats come with a double wishbone front and five-link rear suspension to give it a firm but smooth ride on the road. The five-speed automatic transmission glides through the gears and gives the Aquada good acceleration on the road. It's quick with plenty of power. When the Aquada lands in America in 2009, an optimistic goal given the work ahead, the suspension will be softer.

Topless, doorless and with a rounded hull below the bumper, the Aquada has a certain fish-out-of-water look on the road. In the past, amphibious vehicles were bad boats that made lousy cars or awful cars that made worse boats.

The Aquada, however, is different; it's agile, swift and an absolute blast. Call it the ultimate surf-and-turf rec toy.

When the nearly 16-foot Aquada arrives with a sticker price around $85,000, it will include a 250-horsepower V-6 engine (capable of producing 2,600 pounds of thrust on the water).

It's irresistible

Inside the Aquada, the cockpit feels more boat than car with its composite floor and anti-slip mats in various places. And the four dash-mounted cup holders feel out of place while cruising along Pontiac Trail but right at home on the water. It's the dichotomy of the vehicle that makes it so irresistible. Even the dash-mounted gauges -- the ones left of the steering wheel are nautical, to the right, automotive -- add to the vehicle's quirky feel. The speedometer works for both.

I don't know how it handles from a driver's perspective as Jenkins wisely didn't put me behind the center-mounted steering wheel. But obviously, further testing will be needed.

As we returned to the boat ramp, Jenkins hit the same blue button and in fewer than 10 seconds, a beep let us know the wheels were set as we coasted toward the water's edge.

The sheriff was tying his boat to a dock as we effortlessly pulled out of the water.

With a top speed of 110 mph on the road, it would be up to the state troopers to watch us now.

Auto critic Scott Burgess is the auto critic for The Detroit News. He can be reached at (313) 223-3217.

Article Reference: Zany aqua-car actually works

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