Rinspeed Splash History

Shown at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show, the Rinspeed Splash is a two-seat amphibious sports car with an integrated hydrofoil system. Built entirely from multi-layered carbon composite, the 825 kg vehicle is powered by a 140 hp turbocharged 750 cc two-cylinder natural-gas engine. On land it accelerates 0–100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and reaches nearly 200 km/h; at the push of a button the hydrofoils deploy and it 'flies' roughly 60 cm above the water at up to 45 knots.

In July 2006 — two years after its Geneva debut — Frank M. Rinderknecht piloted the Splash across the English Channel from Dover to Sangatte in 3 hours 13 minutes 47 seconds, setting a world record for a hydrofoil-assisted crossing. The Splash was never intended for production.