Frank M. Rinderknecht, a Swiss auto visionary and lover of all things James Bond, has come up with the sQuba, a sexy, sleek, convertible that drives you in luxury, whether on land or under water. "For three decades I have tried to imagine how it might be possible to build a car that can fly under water. Now we have made this dream come true."

Rinderknecht explains, "You drive the car into the water and the car floats. That is, until you crack the door to let the water in. Immediately the sQuba starts on his way to the underwater world. The occupants' breathing air comes from an integrated tank of compressed air that divers know from scuba diving. For safety reasons we have built the vehicle as an open car so that the occupants can get out quickly in an emergency. With an enclosed cabin opening the door might be impossible."

The outside of the car is covered in an embossed foil that not only helps to protect it from the demands put on it both on land and under water, but also gives it the look of shark skin. Created with the colors of a Yellow Tail Snapper in mind, the interior is yellow and silver, with the seats designed to look similar to fish scales. Diamond coating has also been added to help keep those in the car firmly seated.

One of the most attractive, luxurious materials the sea has to offer has been used for the door linings, steering wheel and gear knob: mother-of-pearl. Veneered like a fish scale the elegant organic material on the gear knob corresponds to the pearly fibred yarn, also manufactured using the "tweaving" process, which discreetly shimmers under the textile coverings and on the display. With an innovative suspension system, LED light technology, and touch button driving, the sQuba is also a zero emission vehicle.

Right now the sQuba is only a concept car, which means that no production plans or a release date are in the near future. However, you can see it live at the Geneva Motor Show from March 6-16, 2008.

» sQuba.