Filed under: Etc., Supercars, Audi
Vizualtech developing Audi R8-inspired catamaran
Click above for more renderings of the Vizualtech Catamaran
Ever wonder what an Audi R8 would look like if it were to transform into a speedboat? Neither had we, but maybe it would look a bit like this machine, developed by a Swedish company named Vizualtech. The most notable styling element of the R8 are its contrasting blades of color just aft of the doors, and these make the transition to Vizualtech's catamaran along with the integrated fuel-filler. At the rear are large openings with strakes that mimic the look of the R8's hind-end nicely. One thing that the Audi doesn't have are this catamaran's gull-wing doors. We expect Audi to drop a V10 engine in the R8's engine bay soon enough, and this sea worthy ship will feature one of its own, though powered by biodiesel and making about 320-horsepower. Top speed falls a bit behind the vehicle that inspired its design at 110 miles per hour, but that's supercar speed on the water.
Gallery: Vizualtech R8 Catamaran
[Source: ZER Customs]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Yar 2:42PM (9/30/2008)
They say they'll drop (what I assume to be) an Audi V10 in it, but if this thing ever does become a reality it will most likely be powered by Mercury Marine.
Car engines don't integrate well directly into boats.
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GCreek99 3:05PM (9/30/2008)
Umm... well Chevy 350's seem to be one of the more popular choices for boats.... Yeah sure they are different from car motors but they are very similar.
Yar 3:25PM (9/30/2008)
Yes, because they're Chevy's. Mercury Marine uses GM based blocks, and they are beefed up considerably from what is available from GM. Ilmor does the same thing to Viper V10s when they make them marine compatible.
Of course, we're talking about very simple and robust engines.
Ford Wannup 3:56PM (9/30/2008)
conversely, if I remember correctly, Mercury Marine built the circa 90s Corvette C4 ZR1 32-valve engine.
arturo 2:43PM (9/30/2008)
wow. this looks very unique in the speed boat industry. i like it better then the car.
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Torrent 2:52PM (9/30/2008)
lmao
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housegsx 3:21PM (9/30/2008)
110mph out of only 320hp??? I'd be impressed, but those seem like unrealistic #'s.
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From My Cube 3:36PM (9/30/2008)
in what manor? That it should go faster or be slower?
Water is very resistant
housegsx 3:44PM (9/30/2008)
That it should be slower. Smaller boats that have this much or more power don't get anywhere near that speed.
MONTE 4:28PM (9/30/2008)
I agree that it seems like a very generous speed figure for only 320hp even with it be a catamaran. Automobile engines take a huge amount of redesigning to get into marine service because the water passages all need to be iron or brass because aluminum can't handle salt water. Mercruiser engines while technically GM engines do have brass water jackets in the heads and cast iron blocks to get around this problem. It is possible they use a standard engine and just don't recommend salt water duty. I would still prefer one of these.
http://www.malibuboats.com/review/MalibuReview_Jan.html
MajorGeek 3:45PM (9/30/2008)
No.
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dwightB 4:28PM (9/30/2008)
It doesn't look bad, but I think it looks a little TOO much like the R8. :-/
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G-Meister 4:53PM (9/30/2008)
I can Imagine stuff too. The cat hull doesn't lend itself to a big single engine. Twin jets would fit this imaginary boat much better.
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P3+J3^u! 5:39PM (9/30/2008)
I think the corvette cigarette boat concept looked a lot better. I actually liked that one. This seems more like a "jump-on-the-bandwagon" kind of thing...and I don't think the result is as pretty as the corvette one was.
Ironically, I think the R8 is prettier than the Corvette.
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chuck 1:45AM (10/01/2008)
A boat with a permanent hardtop? Isn't that kinda silly? There's a reason speedboats are convertibles, not coupes. At least give the thing a retractable roof to let the breeze and sun in.
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Hamud 7:19AM (10/01/2008)
Really nice looking boat.
Just curiosity, what's the MPG of a boat with such or similar power??
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G-Meister 9:48AM (10/01/2008)
On small boats, figure 10000 divided by the weight (in pounds) under optimal cruise. gets much worse if you go fast. Diesel will be a little better, of course
akboss 1:36PM (10/01/2008)
Doesn't a catamaran have two hulls? This is clearly a V-bottom boat.
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