2008 Geneva Motor Show: Rinspeed sQuba Concept

While all the concern given to the Corvette ZR1s, Hyundai Geneses and Ford F-150s as the 2008 Detroit Auto Show approaching, wacky Swiss aftermarket tuner Rinspeed continues its contrarian tack by releasing this sketch of its next concept car --a zero-emission machine capable of diving, which will make world debut at the 2008 Geneva Motor show in March.

Yep, diving. This automotive equivalent of Greg Louganis, promises the Swiss company, would be capable of going further than any amphicar in the past, if it ever were produced, by not only surfing the waves, but submarining under them.

Rinspeed says the sQuba concept has been drawn around the idea of driving on roads, then--at the push of a button--converting the sQuba into an amphibious vehicle capable of diving into water as deep as 33 feet.

It doesn't seem like a good idea on paper, but the Rinspeed crew outfits its concept with an electric motor (zap!), which sends torque to drive the rear wheels. Two propellers and two jet drives move the vehicle through the water, while the motors also propel it on the open road. The zero-pollution car, Rinspeed says, is also built from carbon nanotubes to ensure low weight and body strength.

The one note of reality in all this liquidity: Rinspeed says there's no chance of the sQuba being produced for sale. Or is that sail?

Wait for more detail about the sQuba by next spring reports from the 2008 Geneva Motor Show in March.