Rinspeed's sQuba becomes submersible, ridiculous reality

Rinspeed already got our attention with the concept for its fully submersible sQuba vehicle, but now that they've actually gone and built a fully working prototype we've really got to hand it to 'em. As you can see above, the vehicle is pretty much in line with the concept images, with the always-versatile Lotus Elise serving a base. Of course, that has gone under plenty of modifications, including the addition of two Seabob jet drives, and two extra motors to power 'em, to say nothing of the salt-water resistant interior and DARPA Challenge-tested driverless laser sensor system. Of course, while it's definitely a lot farther along than the last time we saw it, the sQuba's still apparently nowhere being available to the general public, no matter how deep-pocketed they might be. Be sure to hit up the read link below for plenty of pics and an appropriately cheesy video, and look for the car itself to make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

[fischju @ Feb 14th 2008 3:20PM]

So, when is Richard Hammond going to crash one into a lobster?

[ScareyJ @ Feb 14th 2008 3:25PM]

Or Ted Kennedy ...

[Andrew @ Feb 14th 2008 3:37PM]

ScareyJ: Good call, I wonder if there's any rules about driving drunk....underwater.

[r3loaded @ Feb 14th 2008 7:02PM]

Or Clarkson oversteering one at a lake.
Or the Stig doing a lap on a test river estuary

[r3loaded @ Feb 14th 2008 7:02PM]

Or Clarkson oversteering one at a lake.
Or the Stig doing a lap on a test river estuary.

[fischju @ Feb 14th 2008 7:09PM]

POWER!!!

[Ray @ Feb 14th 2008 3:21PM]

It must be made of grass as well, than it will be a full-fledged Bill Nye-mobile.

[pyro @ Feb 14th 2008 3:22PM]

What's with using elises for weird car projects? This, the link to the unmanned elise in this article, and the tesla roadster.

[Thinker @ Feb 14th 2008 3:28PM]

I love the convertible concept. But could you please add a shark cage to it!

[Ian Armstrong @ Feb 14th 2008 4:28PM]

A lot of people figure the convertable thing is just a rendering mistake. It's not. There is a far better gallery - including pictures of the real thing (plus hot spy-girlfriend blond) over here: http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/14/geneva-08-preview-rinspeed-squba-concept-for-the-spy-who-lov/

[EdZ @ Feb 14th 2008 3:29PM]

What, not a Lotus Espirit?

[Liam @ Feb 14th 2008 4:53PM]

EXACTLY what I was going to say...

[Joel Stephen @ Feb 14th 2008 3:35PM]

ooh KITT

[Dan Davis @ Feb 14th 2008 3:32PM]

If you're looking for me, you'd better check under the sea. Cause that is where you'll find me...

[Andrew @ Feb 14th 2008 3:39PM]

Underneath the Seeeeea Laaaab, underneath the water, Seeeeea Laaab, at the bottom of the sea.

[DT @ Feb 14th 2008 3:33PM]

I don't know about you, but there's nothing I like more than taking the top down on a nice warm day and letting the currents run through your hair.

[Dan Davis @ Feb 14th 2008 3:43PM]

LMAO! Yeah, my dogs might think twice about sticking their heads out of the window now!

[HOOPER @ Feb 14th 2008 3:39PM]

Aww man. It's nowhere being available...

[Joe S @ Feb 14th 2008 3:47PM]

Someone always forgets to tell the carmakers when we're in a recession. Car prices at an all-time high? Sell more SUV's. Economy in the tubes? Design and promote a Nyemobile.

[alex @ Feb 14th 2008 3:48PM]

Still nothing like James Bond.

[ugg.tryptophan @ Feb 14th 2008 4:44PM]

Well it is a Lotus, and it is submersible...

[j12997967 @ Feb 14th 2008 3:50PM]

Holland Tunnel?! We don' need no stinkin' Holland Tunnel!

[KillerSiafu @ Feb 14th 2008 4:19PM]

Seems like an interesting idea but unless you plan a very slow descent or stop ever 5' or so to equalize... might be a painful sunday drive.

[tl @ Feb 14th 2008 5:35PM]

Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads...

[Zondajag @ Feb 14th 2008 4:36PM]

James Bond eat your heart out! Now theres a new (ageing middle aged by the looks of the vid) spy in town...

[Les @ Feb 14th 2008 4:43PM]

Please tell me there is a way to close the cabin.

[ugg.tryptophan @ Feb 14th 2008 4:48PM]

no

[Tom Oliveri @ Feb 14th 2008 5:07PM]

lol! loving the windscreen wiper!

[PhilxBefore @ Feb 14th 2008 5:24PM]

This isn't really practical unless the cabin has an air-tight seal. We drive cars in the rain instead of walking to stay drive. If we want to go deep-sea diving we SCUBA dive.

That, plus how comfortable is it to drive with a scuba tank on your back? If you've ever been arrested and put in a cop car, multiply that times 10.

They should name this the Lotus BENDS, as this would be the result of ascending to quickly.

[PhilxBefore @ Feb 14th 2008 5:24PM]

stay dry I meant.

[PhilxBefore @ Feb 14th 2008 5:33PM]

After watching the video, I think I'm taking back everything I said.

[celanor @ Feb 14th 2008 5:35PM]

"Honey, wheres the kids?"
"I don't know, last time I checked they were in the car"
"Hoooney, where are the keys"
"They're... in... the... car..."

[Celanor @ Feb 14th 2008 5:37PM]

Does it come with On Star?

[Anonymous @ Feb 14th 2008 6:06PM]

Built exclusively for Michael Scott,
comes with custom Navigation system...

[Ollie @ Feb 14th 2008 8:31PM]

I havent seen the video yet because I'm at work but based on the 83 photos I just looked at, I'm calling shenanigans. There isnt a single photo in that set that couldnt have been by some old dude with a Lotus Elise, a $50 hooker and 3 hours of photoshop experience.

If it's real, why do they not provide some realistic looking pictures?

[schmic @ Feb 15th 2008 3:18AM]

It is for real. They had a cover yesterday evening by the public television in Switzerland. But it's still not meant for mass production or even any other form of production. I think at the moment it's just a proof of concept and a very expensive hobby of a man who has a lot of money and an unhealthy motivation to be like Bond :D

[Leigh John @ Feb 16th 2008 8:31AM]

I guess I had better start looking for some off shore spot to build my underwater glass bubble home in the caribbean. I could dig such a commute especially if I did not have to wear a wet suit.

[BaT @ Feb 16th 2008 10:02AM]

Just maybe,he could drive to atlantis!