BMW-powered Quadski/A what?

[Lee Borgersen]

BMW-powered Quadski (Jetski + ATV) Hits the Market Next Month

 
       

 
The awe-inspiring vehicles of our childhood super-hero's are just about one month away from reality. For the past 15 years, Gibbs Sports Amphibians has been pumping money and research into an aquatic ATV. Essentially, a land roving four-wheeler which folds its wheels under itself when in water, then blasts away like a personal watercraft.

The watercraft ATV is powered by a BMW 1.3-liter four cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and 103 lb-ft torque. It’s 15-gallon gas tank will allow for a long journey as the driver traverses easily through water and on land. The wheels fold within five seconds with the push of the button and the Quadski is ready to rip through the waves instantly.

Considering the time and money that went into this, the Quadski is estimated to retail at $40,000, but an official price will be released at the time of the vehicles release next month. Now, if only we could actually make the batmobile fly…

Original press release issued by GIBBS on October 15, 2012
The world’s first high-speed sports amphibian – the GIBBS Quadski – will go on sale in the United States next month.

The dream of two visionary entrepreneurs, the GIBBS high-speed amphibian is the product of millions of research dollars and years of development work in the United States, New Zealand and the UK. It will be produced at a 54,000-square-foot assembly plant in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

An entirely new form of transportation for U.S. consumers, the Quadski is capable of reaching speeds of 45 mph on both land and water and transitions between both in five seconds or less.

Introduced at a Gibbs Sports Amphibian press conference in Detroit by Alan Gibbs, the company’s founder, and Neil Jenkins, its chairman, the Quadski is equipped with a 175-horsepower BMW Motorrad engine and transmission. With the press of a button, its wheels retract when entering the water and deploy when approaching land.

View the video below to see the Quadski in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP6-G2IvDns&feature=player_embedded

[lentz]

That is sick

That's what you need for ice fishing or you could just get a argo

[BowFever91]

That thing is probably to bulky to be a good fourwheeler for the woods, and probably too heavy to be a good jetski. And the price is pretty steep. But all in all its a pretty cool idea!

[Retired on Osakis]

There is only one problem I see with them in Minnesota. An ATV cannot go beyond the OHWM of any lake or river in Minnesota unless the water body is frozen. So how do you get it into the water? The only way it would work is if the lake is high and you can get it into the water before you reach the OHWM. Or if you use a public access, which many don't allow ATV's.

[lentz]

Just buy a Argo and a 10 HP kicker