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Amphibious Car Beats Urban Congestion

Posted by simoniker on from the hitchhikers-wear-life-vests dept.

woodhouse writes "According to BBC News, a company in the UK have just tested a fully amphibious car on the Thames river. It can travel at up to 100 miles an hour on land, and its wheels fold up to allow it to speed across water at 30mph, propelled by a jet. The company responsible, Aquada, suggest it's a good way to avoid congestion."

4 of 560 comments (clear)

  1. Hmm by rmohr02 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The concept for this car is pretty cool, but there's just something I like about riding in a converted WWII amphibious assault vehicle. They're for different markets, but I'd prefer the "Ducks" to this car.

  2. pollution ? by mirko · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The company responsible, Aquada, suggest it's a good way to avoid congestion.

    Well, it is, if you can prove it won't pollute the waters.
    BTW, I don't know how it is elsewhere, but in France, boats over a given cylinder volume require their pilot to hold a license.

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    Trolling using another account since 2005.
  3. Of Course by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This is until the Thames gets over-crowded.

    If you get into a fender-bender on the water, does it sink?

    At 150,000 pounds, it doesn't seem that unreasonable.

  4. Fast? Not on the Thames. by carndearg · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I cant deny that it's a really cool piece of kit and I hope the 150k price isnt so eye-watering that the company goes titsup before they've shifted a unit, but the idea of using it for high speed commuting on the Thames is a non starter.

    I have run a boat on the Thames for some years now and like all other boats on that river it has to obey the speed limit, a stately 4.8 MPH.

    One for the marina in Monaco methinks.

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    Oxford Dictionaries Online