The Quadski is the latest in the Gibbs line up. It transforms from a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle (ATV) to a fully functional water vehicle in less than five seconds. With a petrol-driven engine, the Quadski covers major miles whether it's on water or land, reaching speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.
Although this dual-purpose vehicle's features make it the ideal option for search-and-rescue, military, and emergency-services missions, it's also perfect for hours of entertainment.
Gibbs Technologies Ltd., which was originally founded in New Zealand but moved to the U.K., was created by Alan Gibbs, who is described as "one of New Zealand's most inventive businessmen." Gibbs thinks the Quadski's versatility is what makes it such a hit.
Gibbs went on to point out that the Quadski will also benefit farmers and other outdoor workers who need to be able to alternate between land and water transportation in their day-to-day business.
While on land, the Quadski rides like any all terrain vehicle. However, its wheels can be tucked up into its shell in a matter of seconds once the rider is ready to do a little off-roading. The newly transformed Quadski can then be ridden for up to two hours on the water.
Another one of Gibbs' amphibious vehicles is the Aquada. This particular vehicle, though quite costly, can reach up to 100 miles per hour on land and 30 miles per hour on water. The Aquada only needs a mere six seconds to morph from a sports car to what gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine describes as a "jet-powered marine vessel."
The Aquada looks a lot like a small boat when on the water. As soon as it hits the water, its accelerator peddle becomes the throttle; and its wheels are held up with electromagnetic locks. Boasting a V6 engine, four-speed automatic transmission, and a jet-propulsion system, the Aquada is perfectly street and water legal in the U.K.
"Powerful enough to tow a water skier and with a style and class of its own, the Gibbs Aquada is the perfect leisure vehicle," a statement on Gibbs Technologies' website said. "It combines the thrill of an open-top car with the sheer exhilaration experienced in a high-performance speedboat."
Also from Gibbs, the Humdinga is a four-wheel drive, SUV, amphibious concept vehicle with a V8 engine. Housing completely different component parts than the Aquada, the Humdinga can seat five people and is able to go where no SUV has gone before. Created for travel to and from hostile areas and rugged terrain, the Humdinga can reach up to 100 miles per hour on land and 40 miles per hour on water.
"This 4WD [high speed amphibian] HSA demonstrates that the technology is adaptable for a whole range of applications," Gibbs said in a statement on the company's website. "It took us eight years, a million…hours, and tens of millions of pounds to develop HSA technology. With this…vehicle, I'm sure that the technology's potential is clear for all to see."
However, since the Humdinga is only a concept vehicle at this point, it will be a couple of years before it hits the market.
More information on all three vehicles, including vehicle brochures, can be found on Gibbs Technologies' website at www.aquada.co.uk.
