Meet the car of the future that can drive on roads, sand, ice - and even water

Feuer Frei! · 06-13-11, 06:57 AM

An inventor has come up with a new design for a car that will drive on roads, sand, ice - and even water.

The all-terrain vehicle, which has a top speed of 62mph and works like a hovercraft, can move seamlessly between different surfaces.

Female designer Zhang Yuhan, 21, created the amazing machine - called the Volkswagen Aqua - for a competition sponsored by the German car manufacturer.
The vehicle's sleek sportscar-like design incorporates four high-powered fans and integrated airbags that inflate to lift it from the ground.

A large windscreen stretches above the front seats to give a panoramic view of the landscape ahead.
You enter and exit the car from a hatch at the rear of the car.
Based on technology that is currently available, the Aqua uses a hydrogen fuel cell to power two motors - with zero carbon emissions.
One motor inflates the skirt around the vehicle to make it hover, while the second drives it forwards and controls its direction.

'There is no better form of transport than an air cushion vehicle because it travels equally well over land, ice, and water,' said Ms Yuhan.

The mechanic design graduate, from China, added: 'I hope Aqua will become an affordable supercar that is available to the general public one day.'
The Xihua University student made the shortlist from the CDN China Car Award.
The competition asked designers to come up with a 'Chinese off-road vehicle' with 'go-anywhere' capabilities.

SOURCE

Schroeder · 06-13-11, 07:59 AM

Sounds pretty stupid to me. Besides I fail to see whats new about this. Hovercrafts have been in use for a long time. I believe they are too difficult to handle (you can't just step on the brake...), with horrific energy efficiency. Let alone that they are pretty loud as well.
I don't see any use for this for the average John Doe.

*Edit*
Bah, never mind I just noted your source is the Daily Fail.

AVGWarhawk · 06-13-11, 08:16 AM

It's a Volkwagen...the damn thing will be on the side of the road in the typical non-running condition VW is normally found.

Schroeder · 06-13-11, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

It's a Volkwagen...the damn thing will be on the side of the road in the typical non-running condition VW is normally found.

Any statistics about that. Mine are telling a different story.

AVGWarhawk · 06-13-11, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Any statistics about that. Mine are telling a different story.

I lived the dream or should I say nightmare? 2006 VW Passat=rubbish!

Safest car on the road because it was always in the shop!

Service manager on speed dial!

Schroeder · 06-13-11, 08:38 AM

Electronics or what is the problem?

Buddahaid · 06-13-11, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

It's a Volkwagen...the damn thing will be on the side of the road in the typical non-running condition VW is normally found.

Mine's 48 years old and still being driven daily.

AVGWarhawk · 06-13-11, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buddahaid

Mine's 48 years old and still being driven daily.

Congratulations. Mine was 50 minute old and died like a piece of garbage that it was. One can not compare the old aircooled VW engines of 48 years ago with the finicky turbo charged fly by wire Passat. A screwdriver and piece of tape could keep the old aircooled running for years.

Schroeder · 06-13-11, 01:56 PM

Had a look at the 2006 Passat on the net and it really seems to have been one hell of a failure....

06-13-11, 06:57 AM	#1
Feuer Frei! Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Valhalla Posts: 5,295 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 17	Meet the car of the future that can drive on roads, sand, ice - and even water An inventor has come up with a new design for a car that will drive on roads, sand, ice - and even water. The all-terrain vehicle, which has a top speed of 62mph and works like a hovercraft, can move seamlessly between different surfaces. Female designer Zhang Yuhan, 21, created the amazing machine - called the Volkswagen Aqua - for a competition sponsored by the German car manufacturer. The vehicle's sleek sportscar-like design incorporates four high-powered fans and integrated airbags that inflate to lift it from the ground. A large windscreen stretches above the front seats to give a panoramic view of the landscape ahead. You enter and exit the car from a hatch at the rear of the car. Based on technology that is currently available, the Aqua uses a hydrogen fuel cell to power two motors - with zero carbon emissions. One motor inflates the skirt around the vehicle to make it hover, while the second drives it forwards and controls its direction. 'There is no better form of transport than an air cushion vehicle because it travels equally well over land, ice, and water,' said Ms Yuhan. The mechanic design graduate, from China, added: 'I hope Aqua will become an affordable supercar that is available to the general public one day.' The Xihua University student made the shortlist from the CDN China Car Award. The competition asked designers to come up with a 'Chinese off-road vehicle' with 'go-anywhere' capabilities. SOURCE __________________ "History is the lies that the victors agree on"- Napoleon LINK TO MY SH 3 MODS

06-13-11, 07:59 AM	#2
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	Sounds pretty stupid to me. Besides I fail to see whats new about this. Hovercrafts have been in use for a long time. I believe they are too difficult to handle (you can't just step on the brake...), with horrific energy efficiency. Let alone that they are pretty loud as well. I don't see any use for this for the average John Doe. Edit Bah, never mind I just noted your source is the Daily Fail. __________________ Putting Germ back into Germany.

06-13-11, 08:16 AM	#3
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,253 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	It's a Volkwagen...the damn thing will be on the side of the road in the typical non-running condition VW is normally found. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

06-13-11, 08:38 AM	#6
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	Electronics or what is the problem? __________________ Putting Germ back into Germany.

06-13-11, 01:56 PM	#9
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	Had a look at the 2006 Passat on the net and it really seems to have been one hell of a failure.... __________________ Putting Germ back into Germany.