VW Aqua Hovercraft

[Wizzo]

Designed by 21-year-old Yuhan Zhang from China, the Volkswagen Aqua hovercraft concept offers an insight of a futuristic vehicle powered by hydrogen and propelled by an impeller. It has been designed as a solution to address the variety of terrain covering China, from the lakes, rivers and coastal waters to the roads, wetlands and snow. The futuristic vehicle was also shortlisted in the CDN Car Design Awards China, based on the brief titled “Chinese off-road vehicle” by Volkswagen.

The Volkswagen Aqua air cushion vehicle runs on more than one engine. Its hydrogen fuel cell-powered primary motor runs the main fan to inflate the skirt around the vehicle, which help raise the VW Aqua just above the ground. The fans at the rear run on individual electric motors to provide forward thrust and directional control. The Aqua has a minimalist exterior and interior design, and it can seat two inside.

The telescopic steering wheel enhances the driving experience. The Aqua all-terrain vehicle is capable of traveling to any place with an adjustable ground clearance. Aqua perfectly interprets the philosophy of Volkswagen Design with no parting line and laconic appearance.

[John S]

They'll need more than a telescopic steering wheel to enhance the driving experience, a hovercraft is much harder to steer precisely than a helicopter. It's one of the main reasons, besides the noise, why they have never caught on big time.

Looks good though ..... oh, does it come in red? 

 

[Scott]

I wonder if having a sort of static tiller hanging down off the back end wouldn't provide stability in a hovercraft.  Seems to me it would be quite effective on water, and even a bit on land.  Something flexible pointed down on about a 45degree angle.  Like a stick of some kind that could either be made of something that could withstand a beating or disposable and cheaply replaceable. 

I'm no engineer, but a hovercraft in general seems to me a great idea, but not quite finished.