Gibbs Technologies Ltd, the world’s only High Speed Amphibian (HSA) technology specialist, today unveiled a prototype of the first commercially viable high-speed amphibian Quadbike/All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) - Quadski.

Quadski is the third demonstration of Gibbs’ HSA technology following the successes of the Aquada and the Humdinga. It is capable of travelling up to 50 mph (72 kph) on land and water and makes the transition at the flick of a switch.

Commenting on the launch of the Quadski prototype, Alan Gibbs, the founder of UK based Gibbs Technologies Ltd. said, “Quadski is both exciting and practical with a multitude of uses”.

“I know consumers will love the fun of driving a Quadski on land one minute and then head straight into the sea or river the next. But there is a very serious side to Quadski as well: emergency services and aid workers will be able to reach areas and people no two or four wheel drive vehicle could reach.” Gibbs Technologies intends to license the design and technology for the Quadski and is seeking expressions of interest.

Gibbs Technologies originated in New Zealand (the home of another amphibious vehicle manufacturer, SeaLegs) but has taken the technology and his company to the United kingdom. Quadski shares the same Gibbs' patented High Speed Amphibian (HSA) technology with the recently launched Aquada - the amphibian car which set the water speed record for amphibian craft, as well as the world record for crossing the English Channel - and the Humdinga, a five-seater, four-wheel drive vehicle capable of travelling up to 80 mph (130 kph) on land and 45 mph (70 kph) on water.

Quadski is powered by a 140 BHP petrol driven engine, which provides drive to the wheels on land and a marine jet pump on water. It is capable of travelling at 50 mph (72 km/h) on both land and water and the transition from one medium to the other takes less than five seconds. On entering water, the wheels are retracted into the body of the vehicle at the flick of a switch. Quadski's fuel tank allows it to travel for up to two hours on water and has a land range of 600 kilometres.

Mr Gibbs estimated it would retail for around $25,000.