My curiosity obsession for today is amphibious vehicles. While the idea of submarine cars has fascinated inventors and enthusiasts for decades, the reality of these vehicles remains limited to prototypes and concept cars. The engineering challenges of seamlessly transitioning between land and water, as well as safety concerns and regulations, have made it challenging to bring these vehicles to the mass market. Nevertheless, the history of submarine cars highlights the ingenuity of human minds and the constant pursuit of innovation in the automotive industry.
Here is a chronological loose list of real and fictional vehicles that may or may not qualify as amphibious cars.
1931 – Light Amphibious Tank – Vickers-Carden-Loyd, United Kingdom {Wikipe}
A small tank used by the British army during WWII, capable of traversing water obstacles.
1932 – Amphicar – Maker: Amphicar GmbH, Germany {Wikipe}
The Amphicar is the world’s first mass-produced amphibious car. It can travel both on land and in water, capable of reaching speeds up to 7 knots in water and 70 mph on land. It was designed primarily for leisure activities and featured a convertible top.
1942 – Ford GPA, Seep – Maker: Ford, USA {Wikipe}
A World War II amphibious military vehicle produced by Ford, used by the US Army and the British Army.
1942 – Chariot Mark I – Maker, United Kingdom {Wikipe}
The Chariot was a British manned torpedo used in World War II.
1943 – DUKW – Maker: USA {Wikipe}
Also known as “Duck,” it was a six-wheel-drive amphibious truck that saw extensive use during WWII.
1944 – Chariot Mark II – Maker: UK {Wikipe}
This manned torpedo was 30 ft 6 in (9.3 m) long, 2 ft 6 in (0.8 m) diameter, 3 ft 3 in (1 m) maximum height. It weighed 5,200 lb (2,400 kg) and had a maximum speed 4.5 knots and a range of 5–6 hours at full speed. It could contain two riders, who sat back to back. The Mk.II is easily visually distinguishable from the Mk.I as the crew would sit fully enclosed within the hull except for their heads, which would protrude.
1961 – Amphicar – Maker: English inventor, Frank R. Smith. England {Wikipe}
Produced from 1961 to 1968, the Amphicar was designed to be a functional car on land as well as a boat in water. With a top speed of 70 mph (112 km/h) on land and 7 knots (13 km/h) on water, it attracted buyers who wanted a versatile vehicle for both terrains. The Amphicar featured a folding soft top that could be removed for a boat-like experience, and it became a popular novelty item during its production period.
1961 – Sea Lion – Maker: Geraldine Sea Lion Corporation, United States
The Sea Lion is a fictional underwater car featured in the movie “The Absent-Minded Professor.” It was a modified Model T Ford equipped with a diving mechanism. While it captivated audiences on the big screen, the actual creation of an underwater car was not possible at the time. See: Supermarine Sea Lion I flying boat, 1919. {Wikipe}
1965 – Alvis Stalwart, Maker: UK {Wikipe}
A heavy-duty amphibious military truck, primarily used by the British Army.
1965 – Rinspeed Submarine Car – Maker: Rinspeed Inc., Switzerland
Rinspeed, a Swiss automotive manufacturer, created a fully functional submersible car called the Rinspeed Submarine Car. This vehicle can operate both on land and underwater, allowing the driver to explore the depths of the ocean. It achieved a speed of 1.8 mph underwater.
1966 – Thunderbird 2 – Maker: International Rescue, Country: Fictional (from TV show “Thunderbirds”)
Thunderbird 2 is a fictional submersible vehicle featured in the television series “Thunderbirds.” It is one of the iconic rescue vehicles used by International Rescue and can transition from land to underwater operations.
1967 – Spray – Maker: Volkswagen, Germany
The Spray is a fictional underwater car featured in the James Bond film “The Spy Who Loved Me.” Although it captured the imaginations of viewers, the underwater capabilities of the car remain fictional, and no such production vehicle was created by Volkswagen.
1968 – VW Schwimmwagen – Maker: Volkswagen, Germany
A small amphibious four-wheel-drive vehicle produced during WWII by Volkswagen.
1971 – WaterCar Panther – Maker: Dave March, USA
Amphibious car designed for both on-road and on-water use, created by Dave March.
1976 – LARC-LX – Maker: USA {Wikipe}
Known as the “Giant Duck,” it is a large amphibious cargo vehicle.
1977 – Lotus Esprit Submarine Car – Maker: Lotus Cars, Country: United Kingdom
The Lotus Esprit Submarine Car gained fame through its appearance in the James Bond movie “The Spy Who Loved Me.” It was built by Perry Oceanographic and is a functional submarine that closely resembles a Lotus Esprit on land.
1985 – Hydra Spyder – Maker: Marc Witt, USA
An amphibious sports car created by Marc Witt, capable of high speeds.
1990 – Gibbs Aquada – Maker: Gibbs Sports, United Kingdom
A high-speed amphibious car capable of reaching 100 mph on land and 30 mph on water.
1992 – AmphiRanger – Maker: Unlisted, USA
A small, off-road amphibious vehicle designed for various recreational activities.
1997 – Rinspeed Splash – Maker: Rinspeed, Switzerland
A concept car that can transform into an amphibious vehicle, presented at the Geneva Motor Show.
1998- Proteus – Maker: Deep Flight Inc., USA
The Proteus is a two-seater recreational submarine designed to explore the depths of the ocean. It allows for easy maneuverability and features tilt and dive controls, making underwater exploration accessible to individuals.
2002 – Gibbs Humdinga – Maker: Gibbs Sports, United Kingdom {Wikipe}
A four-wheel-drive, High Mobility Amphibious Vehicle developed by Gibbs Sports.
2003 – Gibbs Aquada – Maker: Gibbs Sports Amphibians, United Kingdom {Wikipe}
The Gibbs Aquada is a sports car capable of reaching high speeds on land and then seamlessly transitioning onto water. It features a unique retractable hydrofoil system that provides lift, allowing the car to “fly” above the water at speeds up to 30 mph (48 km/h).
2003 – Gibbs Aquair – Maker: Gibbs Sports, United Kingdom
A personal watercraft that can be used as a Quad bike on land and a Jet Ski on water.
2004 – Ocean Pearl – Maker: Ocean Modules Sweden AB, Country: Sweden
The Ocean Pearl is a compact personal submarine designed for leisure activities such as cruising, underwater exploration, and scientific research. It offers a comfortable cabin with large viewing windows.
2004 – WaterCar Python – Maker: Dave March, USA {Wikipe}
A custom-built, high-performance amphibious car designed by Dave March..
2006 – Gibbs Quadski – Maker: Gibbs USA {Wikipe}
A quad bike that can transform into a personal watercraft. It can reportedly reach a top speed of 72 km/h (45 mph) on both land and water using a proprietary marine jet propulsion system as well as wheel retraction, with transition between land and water in about five seconds.
2006 – Seabreacher – Maker: Innespace Productions, Country: USA {Wikipe}
The Seabreacher is a recreational watercraft that combines the characteristics of a high-performance speedboat with the abilities of a submersible. It can dive below the water’s surface, roll, spin, and leap out of the water.
2007 – WaterCar Panther – Maker: Fictional: James Bond – The Spy Who Loved Me {Wikipe}
An amphibious vehicle famously driven by James Bond in the movie “The Spy Who Loved Me.”
2008 – Rinspeed sQuba – Rinspeed, Switzerland {Wikipe}
The Rinspeed sQuba is an electric-powered concept car that can operate both on land and underwater. It can dive to a depth of 10 meters (33 ft) and features advanced underwater propulsion systems. It features a convertible top, allowing passengers to cruise underwater while enjoying the marine life. While the sQuba was never intended for commercial production, it showcased the potential of combining driving and diving experiences.
2008 – WaterCar Gator – Maker: Fictional: James Bond – Live and Let Die
An amphibious vehicle used by James Bond in the movie “Live and Let Die.”
2009 – sQuba – Maker: Rinspeed Inc., Switzerland
The sQuba, also developed by Rinspeed, is a fully functional, all-electric submersible car inspired by the James Bond movies. It can drive on land, float on water, and dive up to 33 feet beneath the surface. This real-life underwater car featured in the movie “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.”
2009 – Seabreacher X – Innespace Productions, United States
The Seabreacher X is a high-performance submersible waercraft designed to resemble a shark. It is not technically a car but operates similarly, featuring a cockpit with driver and passenger seating. The vehicle can dive underwater, perform high-speed maneuvers, and breach out of the water like a real shark.
2010 – SCUBSTER – Maker: Unlisted, France {Wikipe}
A human-powered, one-person submarine with amphibious capabilities.
2011 – Watercar Panther – Maker: Fictional: James Bond – Die Another Day
An amphibious vehicle featured in the James Bond movie “Die Another Day.”
2011 – WaterCar Panther – WaterCar, United States:
The WaterCar Panther is an amphibious car that can be driven on both land and water. Based on a Jeep platform, it features a fiberglass body and is powered by a Honda V6 engine. It offers excellent off-road capabilities and can reach speeds of up to 80 mph (130 km/h) on land and 45 mph (72 km/h) on water.
2013 – Gibbs Quadski XL – Maker: Gibbs, UK
A larger version of the Quadski designed for enhanced performance and stability.
2014 – U-Boat Worx C-Explorer 5 – Maker: U-Boat Worx, Country: Netherlands {Wikipe}
The C-Explorer 5 is a luxury underwater vehicle capable of reaching depths of up to 300 meters (984 ft). It offers a spacious transparent cabin, providing panoramic views of the underwater world.
2015 – WaterCar Wave – Maker: Unlisted, USA
An amphibious sports vehicle with a retractable boat hull and wheels that fold in.
2017 – Ortega Mk. 1C – Maker: Ortega Submersibles, Country: Netherlands
The Ortega Mk. 1C is a versatile submersible vehicle designed for adventurers and underwater exploration. It can function as an electric submarine or a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) and has a range of up to 100 nautical miles.
2017 – UHAC – Maker: United States Army, USA
Ultra Heavy-lift Amphibious Connector, a vehicle designed to transport heavy equipment from ship to shore.
2018 – Biski – Maker: Gibbs Amphibians, UK
A motorcycle that can transform into a personal watercraft.
2018 – Triton 36000/2 – Maker: Triton Submarines, Country: USA
The Triton 36000/2 is a deep-diving, research-oriented submersible capable of reaching depths of 36,000 ft (10,972 meters). It provides scientists and explorers access to deep-sea areas previously unreachable, offering unparalleled visibility and maneuverability.
2019 – Quadrofoil Q2S Electric – Maker: Unlisted, Slovenia
An electric-powered, foiling watercraft with amphibious capabilities.
2019 – Hyundai Hydrogen Fuel Cell SUV – Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea
Though not specifically designed as a submersible vehicle, the Hyundai Hydrogen Fuel Cell SUV showcased its abilities by driving submerged underwater for a short time during a demonstration. It is an eco-friendly SUV running on hydrogen fuel cells and emitting only water vapor, offering renewable energy for transportation.
2020 – U-Boat Worx HP Sport Sub 2 – Maker: U-Boat Worx, Country: Netherlands
The HP Sport Sub 2 is a compact personal submarine that combines performance with style. It features a streamlined design, advanced technology, and can dive to depths of up to 100 meters (328 ft).
2021 – Aska flying car – Maker: NFT, Inc. USA {Suasn}
An electric VTOL flying car with claimed amphibious capabilities.
2022 – OceanOne – Maker: OceanOne Robotics, United States
OceanOne is a fictional underwater exploration vehicle created by OceanOne Robotics. It was developed for deep-sea missions, allowing scientists and researchers to reach unprecedented depths. While it may inspire future technologies, it is not yet a reality.
2022 – Ground Glider – Maker: Fictional: Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
An amphibious vehicle featured in the movie “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.”
2023 – Aqua Hovercar – Maker: Fictional: Futurama
An amphibious flying car featured in the animated TV show “Futurama.”
2024 – AAV-7 Amphibious Assault Vehicle – Maker: USA {Wikipe}
A fully tracked amphibious landing vehicle used by the US Marine Corps.
2025 – Aquatopia – Maker: Tesla Motors, United States
Aquatopia is a fictional concept of an underwater car envisioned by Tesla, an electric vehicle manufacturer. The concept incorporates sustainable energy sources, advanced materials, and cutting-edge technology. Although Tesla has hinted at its interest in exploring underwater vehicles, no such product exists as of now.