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Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Amphibs: English Channel recordAmphibs: English Channel record

Rinspeed Splash amphib

Amphibs are great. And this one made a new new record in crossing the English channel.

Driven (piloted?) by Rinspeed chief executive Frank Rinderknecht, the custom "Splash" amphibious car zipped across the English Channel Wednesday, covering 36 km in 3 hours 14 minutes, setting a new Guinness Book of Records mark for a hydrofoil car on the world's busiest waterway.

The record-setting version of the Splash was extensively modified from the original version, which debuted at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show. The structure was considerably strengthened for offshore use, and a new powerplant was provided by Weber Motor. The lightweight 750 cc, two-cylinder engine puts out 140 hp at 7,000 rpm, good enough for a top speed of 80 kph on smooth water.



Rinspeed Splash amphib

Rinspeed Splash amphib

Rinspeed Splash amphib

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Source: Autoblog


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