Rinspeed Splash concept car

  • Thread starter David and/or Betty Anne Field
  • Start date
D

David and/or Betty Anne Field

Guest
Check this website out for the newest amphibian <www.rinspeed.ch>

Rinspeed Splash - A Dream Comes True

In what has become a fond tradition Rinspeed Design, the Swiss creative
powerhouse for automotive concepts and emotions, presents yet another
surprising and astounding attraction at this year?s Geneva Motor Show. To
celebrate their 10th concept vehicle the Rinspeed crew has created the

Rinspeed "Splash?.

Under the ultra-light carbon-composite skin lies much more than just an
agile and lively sports car. The Rinspeed ?Splash? is the true incarnation
of a really cool and fun sports toy. At the push of a button a cleverly
thought-out hydraulic mechanism transforms the sports car into an
amphibious vehicle. But that alone wasn?t enough for Frank M. Rinderknecht
(48), founder and boss of Rinspeed. A highly complex integrated hydrofoil
system enables the ?Splash? to ?fly? at an altitude of about 60 cm above
the water.

On land, on water, and in the air

The almost magical transformation from a street vehicle into a floating
and ?flying? all-rounder is made possible by an electronically controlled
hydraulic system with an array of sophisticated sensors.

The transformation starts with the nondescript rear panel, which flips up
to reveal a Z-drive in horizontal rest position, borrowed from a
watercraft. The Z-drive is fitted with a conventional 3-bladed propeller
and can be lowered to its fully ?standing? position from the cockpit. The
position of the drive is infinitely variable, which guarantees immediate
propulsion upon entering the water. A custom-designed transfer case sends
power to the rear wheels, the propeller or both, depending on the input
from the pilot. Starting at a water depth of about 1.1 meters the Z-drive
can be lowered all the way to its fully ?standing? position. Steering
commands are entered via the steering wheel and transferred to the
Z-drive.

At a minimum water depth of about 1.3 meters the pilot can deploy a highly
complex system of hydrofoils integrated into the sleek body of the
?Splash.? The Formula-1 type rear spoiler rotates 180 degrees down and
comes to rest below the ?Splash.? To the left and right of the high side
walls of the cockpit two hydrofoils integrated into the outside skin
rotate 90 degrees to point straight down before unfolding into their
lifting V shape.

The angle of attack of each hydrofoil can be adjusted individually by the
pilot to account for the various operating states. Already at low speeds
the vehicle begins to lift itself out of the water. The fully suspended
position can be reached at speeds as low as 30 km/h. The unusual vehicle
then travels as a true hydrofoil at an altitude of about 60 cm above the
water. Even the wheels are free of water contact. On smooth water the
?Splash? is capable of reaching a top speed of about 80 km/h (approx. 45
knots).

Naturally the ?Splash? can also be operated as a ?conventional? amphibious
vehicle. With retracted hydrofoils the ?Splash? reaches a top speed of
almost 50 km/h (approx. 28 knots). That is fast enough for water skiing or
knee boarding.

The body of the ?Splash? is designed to be watertight. Additional buoyancy
chambers provide extra lift. Also borrowed from shipbuilding are a
bulkhead design with independent chambers and bilge pumps ? in case some
water does find its way into the cockpit or the engine bay. Fourteen
rubber bellows guarantee freedom of movement of drive train, suspension
and steering.

Compact natural-gas power from just 750 cm3

The ?Splash? is powered by an environmentally friendly bivalent
turbocharged natural-gas engine. Natural gas is an extremely clean-burning
fuel that consists almost entirely of methane with near-zero sulfur
content. The ?Splash? is the world?s first amphibious vehicle to be
equipped with this future-oriented engine technology.

Preserving the environment does not mean sacrificing driving fun - and
neither does the low overall weight: The turbocharged two-cylinder
four-valve engine from Weber Motor powers the watercrafts and snow mobiles
from Polaris, albeit as a gasoline-powered engine. In its bivalent
turbocharged natural-gas configuration the engine delivers a maximum power
output of 140 hp/103 kW at 7'000 rpm. The peak torque of 150 Nm is
available at a low 3'500 rpm. Street performance is nothing to be ashamed
of: The 825 kg quick-change artist accelerates in about 5.9 seconds to 100
km/h and reaches a top speed of 200 km/h.

No bounds

The sleek lines of the ?Splash? draw attention at first glance. However,
one of the basic ideas behind the ?Splash? concept was to design an
automobile whose multi-functional capabilities are not immediately
apparent. Hardly anyone will realize that the ?soft-edge design? ?Splash?
can fulfill the age-old child?s dream of almost boundless mobility at the
push of a button.

The entire body of the ?Splash? consists of multi-layered carbon
composite, a state-of-the-art plastic mainly used in Formula One racing.
It offers exceptional stability at a low specific weight. The striking
bodylines of the ?Splash? are the expression of the fine art of
engineering. The low windshield protects against drafts and its tinted
Folia Tec glass contributes to the futuristic chrome look.

The sporty stainless-steel exhaust system from Remus provides the adequate
powerful engine sound. The chrome-plated dual exhaust tips give the
?Splash? a unique and highly dynamic rear appearance.

The lightweight body sits on a suspension custom-developed by KW
automotive. It features inboard shock absorbers, adjustable ride firmness
and height. The suspension engineers succeeded in creating a suspension
that represents a perfect synthesis of ride comfort and sporty handling
characteristics.

In.pro. custom-developed chrome-plated bi-xenon headlamps for the ?Splash?
as well as LED taillights. The latter not only represent the beginning of
a new design trend, their ability to come on almost instantly also
contributes to the prevention of accidents.

Aye aye, Captain

The interior of the ?Splash? clearly pays tribute to its maritime
qualities. Lightweight and waterproof plastics cover the tubular frame and
the ergonomically shaped plastic seats. The small sport steering wheel is
perfect for the agile handling characteristics of the lively and highly
maneuverable ?Splash.? A number of chrome-plated shift knobs, which govern
the amphibious functions and the angle of attack of the hydrofoils, exude
an atmosphere reminiscent of an airplane cockpit.

Hydroplaning - on water only

The Rinspeed ?Splash? runs on Continental SportContact tires with 17-inch
diameter in front (215/35-17) and 18 inches in the back (225/35-18). The
Continental tires combine environmentally friendly design, very good
handling characteristics and excellent grip. They are mounted on
chrome-plated aluminum rims (7x17? front, 7.5x18? rear) custom-made by
Barracuda.
 
Top