Strictly in the realms of “what will they think of next?” the Rinspeed sQuba vehicle gives the first ever submersible option to the car-buying public, at least in concept form. No simple modification, the sQuba is a result of a lot of developmental money from the ever-creative and industrious Rinspeed.

                                             There seems to be something wrong with this picture...
 

Using two Seabob jet drives, with two extra motors, the sQuba is a vehicle capable both of being driven on land and underwater, up to 10 meters down. The two Seabob drives are mounted in the front fenders as an aid to maneuverability and to provide extra thrust, while a total of three electric motors – two for the underwater screws and one for running on (dry) land, add to that thrust.

                                             Besides the orange-windmill thingies, this looks like a typical sports car.
 

Being the curious guy I am, I researched a bit more into the project, wondering how the car can submerge – do you trip a valve, or fill it with water ballast? Do you get a periscope, or perhaps sonar? None of the above – the car is actually buoyant when driven onto the water, but once the door is cracked open, The vehicle settles down for a trip down to 10 or so meters. So, no ballast required, but you’ll probably need a ramp to drive out of the water again – the developers didn’t specify.

                                             Just a normal drive (in)to the beach...

No periscope on this thing, but since the car is open to the elements anyway (haha), there’s not much point – you’ll see when you’re about to crash. The car is open due to the difficulties in designing a contained, oxygen-bearing cockpit – pressure and excessive ballast comes into mind. Nonetheless, the open-air design makes it safer, and makes the driver and passenger more “part of the driving experience”. They breathe through special on-board uhmm, Scuba equipment.

                                             Once in the water, simply crack open the door to sink.. No I mean submerge.

There’s no sonar, but the car has a laser-based navigation system that guides the car even when driverless. Less a concern underwater, but Rinspeed didn’t spare any of the bells and whistles in this latest toy. A whole host of features like salt-resistant upholstery, a diamond-treated seat insert to keep you from floating away, the VDO dash indicators for easy visibility even underwater, and well-integrated fins and louvers that does not destroy the base Lotus Elise’s looks, make this more than a vehicle – it makes it a testament to innovativeness and to sheer inventiveness.

                                             A car in its element?
 

For more pics and information, do visit Autoblog - they brought to us this wonderful concept.