World’s fastest amphibious vehicle hits blocks for a cool $259,500

Amphibious vehicles may not have the same kind of mass appeal as the family coupe but that did’t stop designer from trying to make all-terrain vehicles that can go really, really fast. Created by Marc Witt and Applied Design, the 2012 Sea Lion prototype was developed over the better part of the last decade using spread sheet calculations, CAD software and a 1974 Mazda 13B Rotary engine which has helped it achieve the title of being the world’s fastest amphibious vehicle albeit unofficially for now.

Fastest Amphibian

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Fastest Amphibian

World's Fastest Amphibian

With a welded unibody center section, the integrated monocoque can transport both cargo and serves in the floatation process as well. Removable front and rear fenders, removable side pods and almost all other components on the Sea Lion have been created out of CNC milled components, CNC plasma burned shapes constructed from 5052 Aluminum (TIG welded) and a whole lot of parts hand built for the custom vehicle. With a very aerodynamic shape and an extremely small frontal area, the vehicle was developed for the Amphibious World Speed Record Competition.

The handcrafted, one-off vehicle had a top land speed of 125 mph on land and 45 mph in the water when the project first began in 2006 though it has increased its performance to 60mph in the water in the latest version. Geared for speeds in the range of 180 mph, the transaxle on the Sea Lion configures it to be the world’s fastest amphibious vehicle in terms of land speed though it would have to up its performance in the water to officially claim the title. Though its creator hopes to improve the design it, the prototype can be purchased for $259,500.

Via: Autoholics