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Tuesday March 9, 2010
Emissions-Free on Land and Water

Rinspeed's sQuba concept is a combination of a convertible sports car and a submarine. Get ready to submerge in style

Emissions-Free on Land and Water

By Stuart Schwartzapfel

The sQuba, designed by Swiss company Rinspeed, is a high-performance sports car, boat, and submarine wrapped up into one emissions-free package. The sQuba relies on three electric motors for propulsion: one to power the wheels for land travel and two to power a pair of rear propellers for underwater travel. It will make its debut Mar. 6 at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show.

Rinspeed claims that when submerged the sQuba is stable at a depth of 10 meters. Based on the looks of a topless Lotus Elise, its most striking design element is its lack of a roof. Yes, this submarine is a convertible. What about oxygen? Rinspeed thinks this would be delivered the old-fashioned way, with scuba gear. The car's interior, meanwhile, is completely waterproof.

The Verdict: A highly imaginative if utterly far-fetched concept.

Stuart Schwartzapfel is a regular contributor to BusinessWeek.com. He has studied the automotive marketplace and works as an advertising and marketing strategist for major manufacturers. He does not write about any car brands for which he currently works.

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