Swiss create Bond-like underwater car

Cabaniss said the lithium-ion batteries in Rinspeed’s car were “state-of-the-art” and added that the car industry in general would be looking for more ways to make things work electronically. But he was skeptical of the overriding idea.

“Other than some kind of a movie situation, for Bond-like stuff with lots of gimmicks, I can’t imagine it will have any practical value,” Cabaniss said. “Maybe people will need to go from land to water, and traverse a body of water, but underwater? Especially as it gets your suit wet.”

Rinderknecht said it cost more than $1.5 million to make the sole sQuba in existence, and that it was difficult to make a car watertight and pressure-resistant enough to be maneuverable underwater.

“The real challenge, however, was to create a submersible car that moves like a fish in water,” he added.

Rinspeed is in discussion with commercial manufacturers about making a limited number of the cars. The price? “It would be cheaper than a Rolls-Royce,” he said. A 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe has a sticker price of more than $400,000.

Rinderknecht said it was unlikely that people would soon spot the sQuba tolling down the highway or popping up in your nearby lake.

“They might sell as toys for rich people, perhaps,” he said. “I don’t see mass transportation switching to cars that dive.”

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