World’s first submersible supercar created introducing luxury to the ocean
- sQuba is the world’s first and only underwater car
- The all-electric convertible was inspired by a James Bond film
- It’s been marketed as a “toy for rich people”
Published on Jan 29, 2024 at 6:17 PM (UTC+4)
by Andie Reeves
Last updated on Feb 02, 2024 at 8:47 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Alessandro Renesis
The sQuba looks like something James Bond would have in his garage.
It’s the world’s first and only submersible car, designed to easily drive both above and below water.
Not only is it a childhood dream come true for many, but it also looks incredibly stylish.
READ MORE: This is the world’s first submersible superyacht worth $2bn – and it can remain underwater for weeks
Rinspeed is a Swiss mobility lab known for its out-there car designs.
Its iChange changes shape and configuration depending on the number of passengers, and is controlled by an iPhone.
It’s not affiliated with Apple though, which has its own plans for an iCar.
The company also created Oasis, an autonomous car made out of glass that has a garden on the dashboard.
While these concepts are certainly interesting, it’s the sQuba that’s really captured the world’s attention.
This car is inspired by ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’, where James Bond is seen driving a modified Lotus Esprit underwater.
The actual vehicle was bought by none other than Elon Musk, who plans to turn it into a functional submarine car one day.
The Rinspeed team took on the task of making a Bond-worthy car themselves, using the chassis from a Lotus Elise as the base.
The sQuba is all-electric and has three motors: one for land use and two for underwater.
When on land, the car can reach speeds of 75mph and has room for a driver and one passenger.
The sQuba floats on the surface of the water until its interior is flooded and it submerges into submarine mode.
It can head 33 feet below the water’s surface and is salt- and water-resistant.
Once submerged, the occupants use scuba diving gear to breathe comfortably while flying through the water.
The vehicle uses twin water jets at the front of the vehicle to steer and lift while the rear propellers move it forward.
The thrill of driving underwater will have to suffice, as its top underwater speed of 1.9 mph is not very thrilling.
The prototype of this submarine supercar cost seven figures to make but Rinspeed says it will sell for “less than a Rolls-Royce”.
Currently, there is no official release date for sQuba, but it is being marketed by the company as a “toy for rich people” rather than a practical mode of transport.
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Andie is a content writer from South Africa with a background in broadcasting and journalism. Starting her career in the glossy pages of Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire, Andie has a broad portfolio, covering everything from sustainability solutions to celebrity car collections. When not at her laptop Andie can be found sewing, recording her podcast, taking board games too seriously or road-tripping in her bright green Kia.
