Amphicoach, the world's first true amphibious passenger coach

Say ‘ahoy there’ to AmphiCoach, an amphibious 50-seater coach that’s as happy in water as it is on land.

Built in Malta, the aluminum bus is the brainchild of Scotsman George Smith and can withstand 3,500 hours of constant use, in and out of water, without any adverse effects.

After 6 years in development, AmphiCoaches are now on their way across the world, with the first of the Amphibious tourist vehicles set for Belfast and Budapest.

Managing director Steve Smith was quoted on the Daily Mail website this week as saying: ‘Since the first pictures of the AmphiCoach showed up on the Internet, interest has gone through the roof – our website visitors have gone up from 700 a month to more than two million, and we’re getting inquiries for orders from companies wanting to 20 or more across the globe – We just need to be able to match the demand.’

On the road, the vehicle can travel at normal speeds of up to 70mph, but unlike a normal coach, the driver can simply flick a switch and, without stopping, simply drive into the sea.

Amphicoach, Amphibious Tourist Vehicle

The wheels retract into the hull and an air-piston begins powering the AmphiCoach,  now the equivalent of a fully-fledged catamaran, across the waves at speeds of up to 8 knots.

Mr Smith said: ‘It’s a seamless transition from road to water.

‘Once at sea the steering wheel makes way for a joystick and there’s no need for the vehicle to stop while the wheels lift and the jet propulsion takes over.

‘The boat is well-weighted in the water and the passage is smoother than being in a boat of the equivalent size.’

Each of the vehicles costs £280,000 and Amphicoach say they can build 12 ship-shape roadsters every year.

Mr Smith added: ‘We have reworked and reinvented the amphibious tourist vehicle as everyone knows it. By creating a unique and exciting vehicle that is going to transform the world of city and harbour tours.

‘Soon people will no longer be satisfied with just a city coach tour, they will want the complete package, a city coach tour with a water cruise built in.’

Check out this short video on the making of the AmphiCoach, along with a demonstration of the final product from Waterbus International Ltd. – world leaders in amphibious technology.

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