Amphibious floating V6 roadster once set the weirdest record the world has ever seen
- This amphibious car should’ve had its moment back in 2002
- It was associated with Richard Branson and it even broke a weird world record
- It was not only fast on land, but also incredibly speedy at sea
Published on May 17, 2025 at 6:46 PM (UTC+4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on May 17, 2025 at 6:46 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
This amphibious floating V6 roadster is one of the coolest vehicles the world has never seen, but did you know that it once set the weirdest record ever?
Created in 2002, the Gibbs Aquada 2.5 V6 had speed on both land and water, looked quite cool and was actually successfully amphibious.
It wasn’t just a boat with an engine and wheels stuck to it, every aspect was considered to make it work both on land and on water, however one big problem caused it to be commercially unsuccessful on the American market.
Despite its link to noteable billionaire Richard Branson and its weird world record, the 2002 Gibbs Aquada 2.5 V6 struggled commercially due to its hazy safety practices and its hefty price tag.
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You might have thought that as it is 2025, we would have flying cars or at least everyone would be driving amphibious cars.
In 2002, the dream of an amphibious car came true in one of the best ways through the Gibbs Aquada 2.5 V6 thanks to car/boat automaker Gibbs Amphibians.
This wasn’t a gimmick amphibious car either; this was no boat with an engine and wheels strapped on, it actually worked.
With a land top speed of 110 mph and a water top speed of 31 mph, the Aquada was incredibly speedy with a V6 engine and 175 hp.
It also looked really cool and had a patented and ingenious hydraulic system that helped reduce drag in water.
The amphibicar gained interest from billionaire Richard Branson who used this car to break a weird world record: Fastest Crossing of the English Channel by an Amphibious Car, a record we didn’t even know existed.
However, as is obvious by the fact there aren’t regular amphibious cars zooming around the sea, it didn’t have the commercial success that it really should have.
Crashing against the waves would register to the car as a crash, which would repeatedly deploy airbags, as well as the shady sea laws that didn’t really apply to the road.
Only 45 of the cars were made and only constructed and sold by order.
It’s a shame it didn’t work out, because this little amphibicar had potential for big things.
Daisy is a technology journalist, covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, digital business, and emerging technologies. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral tech hacks and the latest developments in the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex technology stories into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work focuses on the products, platforms, and innovations that are transforming the way people work, communicate, and interact with technology. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
