Fast Track amphibious vehicle moving beyond proof-of-concept
By Donald Melanson 
posted Feb 28th 2007 2:13PM
posted Feb 28th 2007 2:13PM
The Fast Track amphibious vehicle has been tearing up the land and water in its proof-of-concept form for a few years now, but it looks like the team behind it has finally worked all the kinks out, with Gizmag reporting that the vehicle is now headed towards production, albeit on an extremely small scale. In its current state, the vehicle can hit 39 mph on water and decent 55 mph on land, with the propulsion in each case handled by the vehicle's snowmobile-like tracks. The first vehicles custom made for customers, however, will up the potential danger level considerably, with a 300 horsepower engine delivering speeds of 60 mph on water and 80 mph on land, not to mention "aggressive" new styling that's sure to make it seem even faster. While it's apparently yet to take its first order, the upstart company is certainly not lacking in grand ambitions, with a range of additional amphibious vehicles already on the drawing board, including a 7000 pound hurricane rescue vehicle that will seat ten and a smaller personal-sized craft that'll be half the weight of the original Fast Track. If that's not enough, the team's also going to have a go at the world water speed record for amphibious vehicles later this year, hoping that a 350 horsepower Corvette engine will give 'em the necessary edge. Until then, you can check out the vehicle's current capabilities in the video after the break.
I would buy it. Is it street legal, cause I live on the wrong side of a lake and it would dramatically reduce my commute times.
well, if I had money, that is...
I'll take two, please.
I would definitely love such a thing !
Gizmag? Ah, GIZ = Gizmo. I thought they are all perverts :)
They need a marine diesel engine in there. Corvette engine, good luck on that if anything gets wet.
As long as it has an air intake high enough it will work. Ever seen a jeep drive through a river with a snorkel?
You have forgotten about ski boats. Lots have petrol V8 high performance motors with superchargers and lots of electronics.
Cheers mate
Aussie
First, look at the exhaust plume that thing put up!
Second, the land suspension looks like murder.
Third, it seems very loud.
The first and third could be fixed by installing the exhaust system from any modern vehicle. The second, well, that one would take more work to fix. I think this could be a very practical vehicle.
What about waves?
Yes I have seen gasoline powered vehicles with snorkels. The point I was making was more related to electronics. Diesels don't have an ignition system to worry about keeping waterproofed/dry. That's the beauty of compression-ignition as opposed to spark-ignition.
Add to that a sealed blow dryer er turbo (i.e. Turbo Diesel) and it could be wave ready. The other option is this one (URL below) Which pawns! 500+HP and can't sink either, so they say ;^)...
http://www.terrawind.com/spyder.htm
This vehicle reminds me an updated version of the "Ducks" at the Wisconsin Dells, http://www.originalwisconsinducks.com/
Similar vehicle except the Ducks are much older and on land they are on tires. Check them out.
The environmentalist people will love this thing. Did you see all the smoke coming out of the pipe???? I want one of these!!!!!
The high speed ground-water transitions look like something out of a Bond film.
Looks like a tank? What about a LARK?
ok how much? check, cash or credit card?
bad for community because of the smoke. period.