Gibbs developed this illustration, called the Terraquad, along with Lockheed Martin, which is assisting it with development of a military-spec high-speed amphibian. Could the Terraquad give us an idea what the production version of the Quadski will look like?
By BRYAN LAVIOLETTE
While Gibbs Technologies continues to keep details of the production version of its Quadski high-speed amphibian a tightly guarded secret, these illustrations of a possible military vehicle could provide an idea what the company is planning.
This illustration of the Gibbs Terraquad seems to show the vehicle as having two seats behind each other, but it would more likely have two side-by-side seats.
The illustrations of the Terraquad concept are posted on a Web site for military amphibians – www.gibbslockheedamphibians.com – that it co-hosts with Lockheed Martin. Gibbs and the well-known military contractor are working on military vehicles using Gibbs’ amphibious vehicle technology. Whether or not the companies have actually built a Terraquad prototype is doubtful.
A spokesman for Gibbs had this to say about the Terraquad and other concepts on the military site:
The image of the Terraquad on water shows a vehicle that looks somewhat like a side-by-side utility terrain vehicle. In the land image, it appears that one of the riders is sitting behind the other but doesn’t look quite right.
Although some of the numbers don’t seem to make sense, the site says that the Terraquad is 152 inches long with a 81-inch wheelbase and a track of 77 inches. The two-seat, four-wheel-drive concept has a gross vehicle weight of 2204 pounds, indicating a vehicle weight about about 1,700 pounds. The site says it would be capable of traveling up to 50 mph on both land and water.
Amphibious wllz speculated Wednesday that the Quadski would be a side-by-side UTV rather than a traditional ATV with a motorcycle straddle-style seat. Prototypes of the Quadski look similar to a Yamaha WaveRunner with the motorcycle-style seat. Click here to read the story.
Gibbs is testing prototypes of the Quadski now. Company officials have said that the vehicle will be capable of 45 mph on land or water. It will use Gibbs’ patented system to raise the wheels into the wheel wells, allowing the vehicle to plane. No pricing has been announced.
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