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Splash Sets World Record
By Errol Pierre-Louis
8/15/2006 3:12:00 PM
An amphibious concept car called the Rinspeed Splash set a world record for the fastest crossing of the English Channel on July 26th, by speeding across the world's busiest waterway in 3 hours, 14 minutes.
The Splash differs from most amphibious cars in that, instead of displacing water, it skims over the water on extendable wings like a hydrofoil. It actually works more the way a surfboard does than.
The record-setting vehicle features extensive improvements over the original version, which debuted at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show. The current model contains structure enhancements for offshore use, and a new powerplant provided by Weber Motors. With its new 140-hp engine, the Splash can achieve a top speed of 80 kph (about 50 mph) on smooth water.