Manta amphibious concept trike
Designed in Belgium, this three-wheeled vehicle is capable on road and on water, thanks to swivelling rear wheels that act as twin propellersIs it a trike, or a car, or a boat? Well, the Manta is a curious blend of all three, an amphibious concept designed by one David Loureiro of Belgium. Though the vehicle is still a concept and has not yet been built, it was one of the winners of the Michelin Challenge Design contest, of which 970 prototypes were entered. Just 34 were picked as finalised.
As the images show, the Manta has an aquatic appearance and powered by an electric motor appears to be more angled towards marine than road use.
Nevertheless, the three-wheeled Manta features a unique dual mode propulsion system, where the two rear wheels drive the vehicle on the road, but can rotate 90 degrees and act as propellers in the water thanks to specially designed alloy wheel rims.
The single-seat vehicle probably isn't the most practical mode of transport, and it will interesting to see what sort of crashworthiness rating it attains if it does get built, but it would certainly make life easier for those living around waterways. Sydney harbour anyone?
Loureiro reckons the design wouldn't be difficult to build, adding that "It can be a low cost vehicle that gives the driver great driving sensations."
Of course, the devil is in the detail, and if the vehicle can only reach speeds of 60km/h on land or 15 knots on the water, and doesn't have a decent range from its battery, it may be deemed useless by the majority.
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