Amphibian Goes 45 mph on Land or Water

An amphibian vehicle that converts from all-terrain vehicle to high-speed jet ski in five seconds is being officially unveiled today by Auburn Hills, Mich.-based Gibbs Technologies Ltd.

Retail sales for the $40,000 Quadski are expected to begin in November.

The 1,300-lb Quadski is powered by a 175-hp BMW K 1300 motorcycle engine. The four-cylinder, water-cooled engine drives the rear axle through a limited-slip differential. When the vehicle enters the water, the driver presses a button to raise the wheels to a horizontal position. A proprietary power takeover drives the jet pump, which freewheels on land but provides forward thrust when its intake is submerged.

Gibbs plans to begin producing the Quadski at a plant in Auburn Hills later this month. The company hopes for first-year sales of 1,000 units through about 20 dealers located in Florida, the central East Coast and the Great Lakes region.

Company founder Alan Gibbs has been working on amphibious vehicles since the mid-1990s and produced models in small volumes in Europe.

Gibbs has developed several amphibious vehicles, including the Aquada sports car in 2003. The four-seater is powered by a 2.5-liter V-6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission. Gibbs says the car's water jet delivers 2,200 lbs of thrust.

The Aquada which can reach 110 mph on land and 30 mph on water, is available in Europe. But its American debut has been delayed by difficulties involving U.S. emission and Coast Guard standards.

American pollution standards require the Aquada to be equipped with a catalytic converter, for example, but the Coast Guard is reluctant to approve a catalyst operating at automotive temperatures in a boat. The vehicle as a car also must be equipped with airbags which Gibbs argues might go off if the car-turned-boat hits a wave.

Earlier this year the company unveiled the Phibian, a 30-foot-long, 15-passenger that can move from land to water in less than 10 seconds. Resembling a military landing craft, the vehicle is driven by two diesel engines and twin jet drives. Gibbs says the vehicle is designed for use by law enforcement and military agencies.

The company also has developed the Humdinga, a 22-foot-long amphibious vehicle intended for military or emergency-crew use. Gibbs says it is looking for a partner to produce the Humdinga and Phibian.