LONDON: Here comes another invention for motoring enthusiasts as now they buy a $2 million (£1.2 million) sports car that can be driven underwater.
The ‘Submarine Sports Car’, inspired by James Bond’s famous sub-Lotus, is powered by an electric motor that allows it to reach a maximum speed of 75mph (121kph) below the waves. It claims to be the only vehicle that drives as well underwater as it does across land. The design is inspired by the submarine Lotus Elan in 1977 film, The Spy Who Loved Me, which was more angular in shape.
The new version of the submarine car is a convertible that floats when first driven into water. The two-seated vehicle then submerges with the pull of a lever, which sends it deeper underwater.
The car is fitted with propellers at the rear and two water jets mounted behind rotating vent-like louvers at the front of the vehicle, which provide steering and lift. It has two built-in scuba tanks and diving regulators to allow two people to remain underwater for up to an hour.
The zero-emission vehicle has the same steel chassis used in the Lotus Elise. It has a 54kW 160NM electric motor inside, which is powered by six 48-volt Lithium-ion batteries.
They last for 18 miles (29km) on land and provide power for three hours underwater after a four hour charge. The interior in the car is impervious to fresh or salt water and an on-board laser-guided sensor enables it to cruise along autonomously.
Measuring 12ft 6inches (3.8metres) long and 6ft 4inches (1.9metres) wide, the car weighs 145 stone (921kg). It can be bought from online retailer Hammacher Schlemmer.
