Autoblog

Gibbs Technologies, makers of vehicles like the Aquada seen above, has managed to snag tax breaks from both the state of Michigan and the city of Auburn Hills to open its world headquarters near Detroit, the U.S. capitol for automakers. While we're sure that Michigan's Oakland County is happy to see Gibbs' investment in the area and the additional jobs it'll bring along with it, one must wonder just how many $85,000 aquatic vehicles the company plans to sell to sustain itself. Though it's headquartering itself in the Detroit area, manufacturing may be done elsewhere. Michigan is still reportedly in the running, but we'd imagine a less seasonal climate may prove beneficial for the research, development and testing of its upcoming amphibious line of vehicles.

[Source: The Detroit News]

It's been just about a year since we last heard anything about the Gibbs Aquada, which should be coming to American roads and shores near you shortly. Last we heard, Gibbs was looking for an American partner and a place to get some engineering work and production done. At least one of those goals seems to have been met, as reports are now coming in that Saleen, makers of super-fast Mustangs and exotic cars, has been tapped to provide design and engineering work for the U.K. based aquatic vehicle company.

Saleen will be working on the U.S. version of the Aquada, a vehicle which is intended to offer sportscar performance on land and speedboat thrills on the water. Other vehicles from Gibbs include an all-terrain Hummer-style aquatic utility vehicle known as the Humdinga and the Polish Quadski, which combines the capabilities of a four-wheeled ATV and a jet ski.

[Source: WWJ Newsradio]

Maurizio Zanisi apparently has way too much time on his hands. The Italian engineer has modified a Fiat Panda 4x4 with a flotation belt and a waterjet propulsion system to create the Panda Terramare 4 - a vehicle that adds a new dimension to "off-roading."

Zanisi's Panda paddleboat splashed into the English Channel today at the British seaside town of Folkestone and came ashore on the French coast at Cap Griz Nez six hours later. The distance covered by water was 25 nautical miles across a body of water that's the H2O equivalent of an L.A. expressway.

The watertight Panda has been paddling about since 2005, but this has been its longest ocean journey to date. Zanisi, who builds specialty vehicles for a living, estimates that the Terramare version of the Panda would sell for about €80,000 (around $100,000).

Thanks to Into Gear for the tip!

[Source: Italiaspeed, Quattroruote]

At some point during our formative years, we were afforded the chance to take a ride in a mid-1960's Amphicar, the German automotive equivalent of a platypus-- neither fish nor fowl. The little cruiser was in truth never made for a particularly good car or boat, but that didn't stop nearly 4,000 of the tailfinned buggers from finding homes... it certainly didn't keep owners from having a ball in theirs, if a little slowly.

More recently, the Miata-aping Gibbs Aquada has made waves as a better car/boat compromise, but at an absurdly high price. For those looking for something in an under triple-digit amphibious car, UK firm Dutton has quietly been making examples for more than a decade, most of them based on the ancient Suzuki Samurai.

But now Dutton has gone and upgraded, creating their new Commander S2 out of Jimny bits, including its 1.3-liter four-cylinder, a modified transfer case, and dashboard, among other things. Of course, all of the little offroader's parts have been lashed to GRP hull in order to facilitate water landings. Interestingly, the firm maintains that none of the 'Zuki's off-road prowess has been sacrificed (and those buggers have always been able to climb deceptively well). Given its exceedingly modest top nautical clip of 6 mph, it could easily be argued that Dutton's latest remains more accomplished on land than on water.

Still, it's hard not to be fascinated or amused by these types of propositions, even when they aren't terribly well resolved or are prohibitively expensive. About that: the Commander S2 starts at just under £30k (roughly $56,000 USD), and for that, owners get a basic model without any protection from the elements. Fortunately, an excellent SMG rating (smiles-per-gallon) come standard.

Click on the link for official company website.

[Sources: Dutton; AutoExpress]