Sail the (calm) seas in the Amphicoach Amphibious Tourist Bus
Amphicoach Amphibious Touring Bus - Click above for a gallery
Amphibious touring vehicles have been around for a while (the Bay Quackers in San Francisco comes to mind), offering vacationers a unique way to explore both the city and the waterways surrounding it. Amphicoach is taking it to the next luxurious level, with a 50-seat bus that combines all the amenities you'd find in a high-end touring coach with the amphibious capabilities required to tackle the seas.
After six years of development and testing, Amphicoach is ready to launch its first model, which complies with all relevant E.U. legislation for passenger vehicles and can handle extended periods submerged in either salt- or fresh-water.
The Amphicoach is equipped with a choice of two diesel engines along with two- or four-wheel drive, is built from marine grade aluminum for light weight and superior strength, features a jet drive unit built specifically for the bus and a one-off wheel retraction system that allows the coach to travel up to eight knots. Inside, it's typical party-bus fare, with LCD screens, DVD players and PA systems, along with all the required safety gear.
Pricing and availability is currently on a need-to-know basis, but for cities trying to stoke tourism, the Amphicoach could be worth the cost of entry... assuming it won't leave pensioners stranded off the shore of Alcatraz.
Gallery: Amphicoach Amphibious Tourist Bus
[Source: Amphicoach via 4wheelnews]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Peter Rockwell 7:04PM (3/18/2009)
Now, can the folks at MIT make it fly too?
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superman211 11:23PM (3/18/2009)
Good! Now keep them off the roads! Ugly things clogging up traffic, we have a train and buses. You should only chose one, both is stupid.
homunculus 7:15PM (3/18/2009)
tonight on top gear...
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Randy 12:22AM (3/19/2009)
Shouldn't that be "Tonight on Top Rudder" ;-)
EskimoPie 7:17PM (3/18/2009)
What happens when everyone rushes to one side of the bus to look out the windows at whatever tourist attraction is passing by?
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2004m3driver 7:43PM (3/18/2009)
Same thing that would happen on a narrow boat I would assume. It'll turn into a yellow submarine, up upside down one. Joking aside, I am pretty sure most of the weight is at the bottom to balance it from tipping like that.
superman211 11:23PM (3/18/2009)
It tips over and sinks, does anyone care?
Randy 12:54PM (3/19/2009)
@superman211
If it sinks in the middle of the ocean, does anyone hear it?
220v 8:03PM (3/18/2009)
"We all live in a ..."
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Ken 9:54AM (3/19/2009)
Yellow Submarine, a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine....
Yar 7:24PM (3/18/2009)
Wasn't this in the movie Stripes?
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P.V. 7:46PM (3/18/2009)
Wow. What an appropriate design (no sarcasm intended). I like it!
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EU_reader 8:00PM (3/18/2009)
Hmm, i don't know.
If i'm at an ocean somewhere, taking a boat trip, i'd like to feel the sun, smell and feel the sea breeze.
What good is this being trapped in a cage for such an occasion? At least make it a convertible (sliding rooftop or something)
I just think it's one of those silly things, a "just because you can" sort of attitude. Practical? no. Usefull? Neither. Kinda cool for lazy people? Most definately.
(by which i mean: you could just as wel stop at a special dock with your bus, get out and walk 20 feet and get on the boat again. A boat + bus wouldn't cost the city paying for one these not even close to what this thing is gonna be priced.)
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Jared 8:55PM (3/18/2009)
That thing is a death trap. Far too easy to capsize. Far too hard to get out of in the event something goes wrong.
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joe23521 10:46PM (3/18/2009)
My thoughts exactly. An open top/convertible design would probably be better, or at least put passengers more at ease.
Polarstar 11:20PM (3/18/2009)
That thing is a lawsuit waiting to happen.
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Max 12:19AM (3/19/2009)
Id want all the windows removed just in case it threatens to sink.......wouldn't want to feel trapped in it.
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BrokenMonkey 1:30AM (3/19/2009)
How does everyone believe that it's a "death trap" and "a lawsuit waiting to happen"? I'd like to think that after 6 years of testing and refinement they'd have thought of more than some guy posting comments on a blog post.
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Tom Winch 1:50AM (3/19/2009)
"After six years of development and testing, Amphicoach is ready to launch its first model, which complies with all relevant E.U. legislation for passenger vehicles and can handle extended periods SUBMERGED in either salt- or fresh-water."
Submerged? Is it a submarine too? Count me out.
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Swede 5:42AM (3/19/2009)
Lawsuit? Where? No you cant sue for getting wet. Or that the coffee is too hot. This thing has five exits, far enough for a small bus like this.
I wonder what chassis they build on. I assume it's IVECO since thats where they get their engines.
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