Technology

‘Aqua Car’: Volkswagen‘s New Design Gives ’ATV’ a Whole New Meaning

Concept Design for Volkswagen Hovercraft Gives All Terrain Vehicle New Meaning

When most people picture an all-terrain vehicle, especially one that bears a Volkswagen brand, they most likely envision a German-engineered SUV rolling over a rugged mountain trail. This futuristic concept design created in a Volkswagen-sponsored competition takes takes the meaning of all terrain a few steps further.

Concept Design for Volkswagen Hovercraft Gives All Terrain Vehicle New Meaning

(Image via Car Body Design)

The Daily Mail reports that the Volkswagen Aqua car is designed to run on “tarmac, sand, ice… and even water:”

It features a shiny, sleek design with four fans and integrated airbags that inflate to make it hover.

And it’s also environmentally-friendly as its two motors are powered by a hydrogen fuel cell — with zero carbon emissions.

One of the motors inflates a “skirt” around the vehicle to lift it off the ground, while the other drives it forward and controls direction.

Check out the Aqua car design here:

The Aqua car is described as “air cushion vehicle”, which the Daily Mail reports Chinese designer Yuhan Zhang, 21, as calling the best mode of transport because “it travels equally well over land, ice and water.”

The Aqua car, Car Body Design points out, is a hovercraft that would be supported by one engine creating air pressure under the vehicle and propelled and directed by additional engines seen on the back and the sides. Note how the side propellers are fashioned to look like traditional wheels.

Concept Design for Volkswagen Hovercraft Gives All Terrain Vehicle New Meaning

Different views of the Aqua car design. (Image via Car Body Design)

The doors to enter the car are also at the rear of the vehicle.

Comments (161)

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  • Strider100
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 11:14am

    Those tiny ducted fans are just a dream. Very little thrust from fans that small even if they revved up and screaming.

    Hovercraft are great in the proper environment but not practical for the general public’s transportation needs. Heck, we worry about people driving with 4 big rubber tires in solid contact with the road. Put some of them on a frictionless cushion of air and look out! Hovers are just not practical for confined quarters or congested areas.

    Learn more about hovercraft:
    http://www.HoverclubofAmerica.org

    Report Post » Strider100  
    • mrfunn
      Posted on January 4, 2012 at 11:49am

      “Put some of them on a frictionless cushion of air and look out!”
      That is what the bumpers are for.

      Report Post »  
    • Sorocialism
      Posted on January 4, 2012 at 11:52am

      New fan technology has really boosted the thrust capability…it seems counterintuitive, but those “small fans” are actually quite powerful.

      Report Post »  
    • mrfunn
      Posted on January 4, 2012 at 12:02pm

      Wonder if a gyro stabilizer would help?

      Report Post »  
    • mzk1
      Posted on January 4, 2012 at 1:34pm

      You know, in the original Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang (the children’s book written by the author of James Bond) it worked somethign like that.

      Report Post »  
    • westonfe11
      Posted on January 4, 2012 at 6:46pm

      MrFunn has it figured out. I am looking forward to playing bumper cars on I35

      Report Post »  
  • OhioRifleman
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 11:10am

    SHELLY245: Your buddy’s step-sister is one very well paid camwh0re, if she is making $85 an hour.

    These ads are getting old, amigo. Take it somewhere else.

    Report Post » OhioRifleman  
  • MM055
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 11:08am

    How is your memory
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qB0lb401ZU

    Report Post »  
    • RichNGadsden
      Posted on January 4, 2012 at 11:24am

      I remember that ad and others very similar. I also remember National Lampoon being successfully sued by the Kennedy family when they produced their Encyclopedia Of Humor in the mid ‘s that was clearly marked on the cover that all ads were parodies. They pictured a floating VW Beetle with the headline “If Teddy Kennedy Had Driven a Volkswagen He’d Be President Today.”That was funny.

      Report Post » RichNGadsden  
    • mzk1
      Posted on January 4, 2012 at 1:35pm

      On what basis did they win the suit?

      Report Post »  
    • PrfctlyFrank
      Posted on January 4, 2012 at 1:41pm

      I remember that ad.. Funniest thing I saw until the, ” Buy This Magazine or We’ll Shoot this Dog,” cover.. Now that’s funny right there..

      Report Post » PrfctlyFrank  
    • RichNGadsden
      Posted on January 4, 2012 at 3:38pm

      The “We’ll shoot this dog” cover actually came out a couple of year before the Encyclopedia Of Humor edition. But, that was a funny one as well. MZK1, don’t recall the basis for the win of that suit. Just recall that he Kennedy’s ran over them and won. I do recall a sympathy for the assassination
      of his two brothers. Afraid that I don’t recall all of the details.

      Report Post » RichNGadsden  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:40am

      @MM055
      “How is your memory”

      A lot better than that! Look at the bumper. That’s not even a pre 1968 VW. His 1970 clothes also give it away. Not that old for us old farts. I’ve owned many V-dubs, transporters mainly and never had a bumper that new.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
  • Naram-Sin
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 11:06am

    It will never be produced. I doubt that they will even try making a prototype. And if they did, I suspect that the price tag would make Lamogorginis look cheep.

    Report Post »  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on January 4, 2012 at 11:33am

      yes and imagine the cost of getting rear ended in that thing. I thought a new bumper on my truck was expensive couldnt imagine the cost of replacing the rear end of that thing.

      Report Post »  
  • RichNGadsden
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 11:05am

    The new Schwimwagen!

    Report Post » RichNGadsden  
  • JLGunner
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 11:05am

    Ok, now what?

    Report Post » JLGunner  
  • SamIamTwo
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 11:00am

    for coastal liberals, no doubt eh?

    Report Post » SamIamTwo  
  • SageInWaiting
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:59am

    I can see myself in that. NEED MORE SPECS! What size waves can it handle?

    Report Post » SageInWaiting  
  • wraith67
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:59am

    Interesting but mostly useless – they’d have to come up with a whole new set of rules for hover vehicles mixed with regular cars, I‘m thinking that they don’t stop very quickly.

    The good thing about it is someone is bringing up the idea of hydrogen fuel cells again. That’s the way to go, not much needed to modify a conventional internal combustion engine to work with hydrogen, it’s more powerful than gasoline, and we’ve got an essentially unlimited supply of it. Too bad the Obama administration canned the hydrogen fuel cell thing in favor of electrics.

    Report Post » wraith67  
    • DougfrominsolventCA
      Posted on January 4, 2012 at 1:15pm

      Aren’t fuel cell cars basically electric? I don’t think they produce hydrogen to be used as fuel. I think electricity is the product of the hydrogen conversion process.

      Report Post »  
    • wraith67
      Posted on January 4, 2012 at 1:30pm

      @Doug – these are sorta electric, but there was quite a lot discussion/research about direct usage a while back. The concept was about the same as the people that are using CNG in thier cars now…slightly different fuel containment and injectors, tank has to be a tougher/puncture resistant and wa’la. Here’s a start: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/tech_validation/pdfs/fcm03r0.pdf

      Report Post » wraith67  
    • FingerBlisters
      Posted on January 4, 2012 at 1:31pm

      Hydrogen readily available? Where? Hydrogen is not readily available, it has to be produced. The cheapest way to produce hydrogen is with steam reforming of methane (Google it). Burning hydrogen in an internal combustion engine is a very inefficient use of hydrogen compared to a fuel cell.

      Report Post »  
    • jimster
      Posted on January 4, 2012 at 1:43pm

      Do not have to worry about rear ending anyone just rev it up and cruse over them.

      Report Post » jimster  
  • 2GodBeTheGlory
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:59am

    Talk about a noise hazard! If you ever heard a hovercraft, you know what I mean. There is multiple safety issues – FOD, impact of high wind on the “car”, steerage, and the amount of time/distance it takes to stop a hovercraft are just a few that come to mind. I do like the fuel, however, a hovercraft is not a suitable replacement for tires.

    Report Post » 2GodBeTheGlory  
  • 2GodBeTheGlory
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:58am

    Talk about a noise hazard! If you ever heard a hovercraft, you know what I mean. There is multiple safety issues – FOD, impact of high wind on the “car”, steerage – mountain driving, and the amount of time/distance it takes to stop a hovercraft are just a few that come to mind. I do like the fuel, however, a hovercraft is not a suitable replacement for tires.

    Report Post » 2GodBeTheGlory  
  • Pacapapa
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:58am

    From the looks of the body style it looks like a squished bug, or beetle, if you will. I hope the engine is electric or their going to hear it from those enviromentallist wackos.

    Report Post »  
  • Kelso
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:57am

    Anyone notice the bicycle in the corner? Besides the obvious “green” tone, at least if the thing quits, they still have a ride home. lol.

    Report Post » Kelso  
  • 2GodBeTheGlory
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:56am

    Talk about a noise hazard! If you ever heard a hovercraft, you know what I mean. There is multiple safety issues – FOD, impact of high wind on the “car”, steerage (i.e. mountain driving), and the amount of time/distance it takes to stop a hovercraft are just a few that come to mind. I do like the fuel, however, a hovercraft is not a suitable replacement for tires.

    Report Post » 2GodBeTheGlory  
  • Lotus503
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:54am

    Won’t work…you can’t stop it or control it with any accuracy. That’s the problem with all hovercraft. Just try to stop one at a stop light, or turn a sharp corner with one.

    Report Post »  
    • Kim Karcrashian
      Posted on January 4, 2012 at 1:56pm

      Why not stop using the Fred Flintstone method using your feet? If it would run on methane, you could put a cow in the trunk with a tube up it’s rear…or you could stop in at a Mexican food resturant and power the thing yourself…..

      Report Post »  
  • Mahdi Al-Dajjal
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:51am

    I’ll bet the flood insurance add-on for your auto insurance policy will be rather expensive for most folks. Also, what do you do if the vehicle gets flipped by a wave? I mean… other than drown?

    Report Post » Mahdi Al-Dajjal  
    • RabiaDiluvio
      Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:57am

      I doubt very much anyone would drive it on the ocean, mo…more likely a lake, inlet, slow river, etc. Not a lot of wave action there and if there were waves, one would expect the particle of common sense to kick in…that it might not be a great idea.

      Report Post »  
  • ZAP
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:50am

    Yeah right ,they can build a transmission to stay in my ford truck,but they’re going to make that work,good luck

    Report Post » ZAP  
  • Sleazy Hippo
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:48am

    oh, Great!

    Now, when the Rapture comes I’ll need to watch for unmanned vehicles heading for my powerboat!

    Report Post » Sleazy Hippo  
  • Hrothgar
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:45am

    Oh wow Volkswagen you made a hovercraft, I’ve never seen one before. So innovative and original…..about as original as a burrito.

    Report Post » Hrothgar  
    • Sr Newk
      Posted on January 4, 2012 at 2:04pm

      Couldn’t have said it any better myself. This is a compact amphibious craft that isn‘t even as efficient as the Navy’s large amphibious craft, but at least those machines can carry a heck of a lot more then just two people. An expensive and stupid design, to put in an efficient hydrogen fuel cell and then turn around and waist the energy it produces on low efficient axial fans to lift and move the craft. More GREEN CRAP!!!!!!!!! Dumb just plain dumb, and this is Volkswagen idea, oh whatever happen to keeping it simple.

      Report Post » Sr Newk  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:45am

    Iran has ordered 50 military versions. The Strait of Hormuz has been officially changed to VW Way

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:44am

    No thanks, i ll just take the bridge over the water…

    Report Post »  
  • MidWestMom
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:43am

    Looks like a kid’s remote control car. Do those big bumpers on the front keep it from banging up the walls?

    Report Post »  
    • mrfunn
      Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:54am

      “big bumpers”?
      Me too.
      Bumper boats?

      Report Post »  
  • Darla_K
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:43am

    It seems like a fun car to have, but is it practical? Seems like people on the water will have to watch out for cars now. lol

    Report Post » Darla_K  
  • ozchambers
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:39am

    Bug out vehicle, anyone?

    Report Post » ozchambers  
    • MidWestMom
      Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:44am

      Maybe but the dollars you’d spend on it would sure buy a lot of food & water. LOL

      Report Post »  
  • Sirfoldallot
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:39am

    How much ?

    Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
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