Could Quadski be a side-by-side?

By BRYAN LAVIOLETTE

Since Gibbs Technologies Chairman Neil Jenkins told me a year ago that we would be surprised by what they were planning for the production Quadski, I’ve been trying to figure out what he was talking about.

I finally think I might have an idea what he meant. While Gibbs has continued to refuse to show pictures or even illustrations of the amphibious all-terrain vehicle, I have an idea what they might be planning. Call it a hunch. In a few weeks or months when we finally see the production version of the Quadski, you might call it wrong.

So here it goes: The Quadski will be a side-by-side style utility-terrain vehicle, just without much of the utility. Don’t expect to see a John Deere Gator-style bed in back. Do expect to see a pair of regular seats next to each other.

Instead of a traditional all-terrain vehicle, the Quadski could look more like a Polaris Ranger RZR. A rollcage seems unlikely since Gibbs officials have said that most people do not like the idea of a boat with any sort of roof in place.

The original Quadski prototype is more like a traditional all-terrain vehicle or Yamaha WaveRunner type of device where one or two riders straddle a hump, motorcycle style.

Side-by-sides, or UTVs, have grown increasingly popular in the last decade, offering a combination of sportiness and utility that is not available in other off-road vehicles.

Could I be wrong? Very possibly. But until Gibbs releases information on the product, all we can do is speculate.

But this comment from Jenkins indicates that the production Quadski will have little resemblance to the prototype, which resembles a Yamaha WaveRunner with wheels:

“The one that we are going to put (into production) really is pretty special,” Jenkins said. “It’s nothing like what you would expect.”

Click here to read Amphibious wllz’ original story about the Quadski.

Besides that statement, about all that Jenkins has divulged about the Quadski is that it will be capable of traveling up to 45 mph on land or water. Also, it will be two-wheel drive only; no four-wheel-drive version is planned.

Like the Aquada amphibious car that Gibbs is also developing, the Quadski will be capable of transitioning from water to land mode, or vice versa, in five seconds. Gibbs has a patented system that raises the wheels into the hull, allowing the vehicle to plane.