Meet the car of the future that can drive on roads, sand, ice - and even water
Last updated at 8:16 AM on 13th June 2011
An inventor has come up with a new design for a car that will drive on roads, sand, ice - and even water.
The all-terrain vehicle, which has a top speed of 62mph and works like a hovercraft, can move seamlessly between different surfaces.
Female designer Zhang Yuhan, 21, created the amazing machine - called the Volkswagen Aqua - for a competition sponsored by the German car manufacturer.
Aqua: The incredible new concept car can travel on road, sand, ice and even water
The vehicle's sleek sportscar-like design incorporates four high-powered fans and integrated airbags that inflate to lift it from the ground.
A large windscreen stretches above the front seats to give a panoramic view of the landscape ahead.
You enter and exit the car from a hatch at the rear of the car.
Based on technology that is currently available, the Aqua uses a hydrogen fuel cell to power two motors - with zero carbon emissions.
One motor inflates the skirt around the vehicle to make it hover, while the second drives it forwards and controls its direction.
Car of the future: The Aqua would free drivers from the roads
'There is no better form of transport than an air cushion vehicle because it travels equally well over land, ice, and water,' said Ms Yuhan.
The mechanic design graduate, from China, added: 'I hope Aqua will become an affordable supercar that is available to the general public one day.'
The Xihua University student made the shortlist from the CDN China Car Award.
The competition asked designers to come up with a 'Chinese off-road vehicle' with 'go-anywhere' capabilities.
All terrain: The car was was the winning entry to a Volkswagen-sponsored competition that asked designers to come up with a 'Chinese off-road vehicle'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2002726/Meet-car-future-drives-roads-sand-ice--water.html#ixzz1P9v9Vk7z
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