New Gibbs Quadski features 175hp engine, $40K retail price
October 15, 2012
Filed under News, Top Stories, Uncategorized
News release
The world’s first high-speed sports amphibian — the GIBBS Quadski — will go on sale in the United States next month.
The dream of two visionary entrepreneurs, years of development work in the United States, New Zealand and the U.K., and millions of research dollars, the GIBBS high-speed amphibian will be produced at a 54,000-square-foot assembly plant in Auburn Hills, Mich.
An entirely new form of transportation for U.S. consumers, the Quadski is capable of reaching speeds of 45 mph on both land and water and transitions between both in five seconds or less.
Introduced at a Gibbs Sports Amphibian press conference today in Detroit by Alan Gibbs, the company’s founder, and Neil Jenkins, its chairman, the Quadski is equipped with a 175-horsepower BMW Motorrad engine and transmission. With the press of a button, its wheels retract when entering the water and deploy when approaching land.
Jenkins told reporters in Detroit that Quadski will retail for about $40,000 when introduced in November. The company expects to have more than 20 dealership locations in place within the next 12 months, primarily in the Midwest, New York, Texas and the southeastern United States.
Powersports Business associate editor Liz Hochstedler hopped aboard a Quadski on Sunday at a demo event in Michigan, and will provide a report in an upcoming edition of the magazine.
The GIBBS amphibian weighs 1,300 pounds, is equipped with a 15-gallon fuel tank and will be available in five colors — red, yellow, blue, silver and black. Suggested retail pricing and details about GIBBS’ dealer network will be announced prior to public introduction in mid-November.
GIBBS has more than 300 patents and patents pending on its High Speed Amphibian (HSA) technology for consumer, commercial and first-responder use.
“Quadski represents an investment of more than $200-million and two-million man hours of work over a period of 15 years,” said Alan Gibbs. “With the introduction of Quadski next month, our dream of providing high-speed amphibian transportation to consumers will become a reality.
“It’s been a long, uphill battle, but clearly worth the effort. Quadski will pave the way for a host of other HSAs for consumers, sports enthusiasts, law enforcement agencies, first responders and other commercial enterprises.”
Jenkins noted that Gibbs Sports Amphibians expects to add a total of more than 200 jobs at its Auburn Hills facilities on Brown Road and its new assembly plant at 50 Corporate Drive in the next 12 months. At maximum capacity, the plant will be capable of producing 20 units per hour. The company currently has 100 Michigan employees.
“Although Quadski initially will be available for sale only in the U.S., we expect to find a ready market for it in Europe, Latin America and elsewhere around the world in 2014 and beyond,” Gibbs added.
“We’ve created an entirely new powersports category with our patented HSA technology. Quadski is especially designed for families and individuals who enjoy the outdoors, watersports, off-road travel, hunting and fishing. It offers premium powersports buyers a combination of power, safety, comfort and versatility that has never been available before.”
The new HSA’s BMW four-cylinder, water-cooled engine is considered the lightest power plant in its segment and features electronic fuel injection, a double-overhead camshaft and dry-sump lubrication. GIBBS spent more than 18 months and 75,000 engineering man hours to pair BMW’s Motorrad powertrain to its high-tech amphibian system.
Designed to meet applicable state and federal safety requirements, the Quadski is 10.5 feet in overall length; 5.2 feet in width, and 4.3 feet in height with a wheelbase of 5.8 feet. It initially will be offered for use by one person.
I find it interesting that you write this article as if this is a “new” thing. Yet, right in the “Other stories that might interest you…” you have stories from 2006 talking about the same vehicle.
You should check your archives.
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JA Reply:
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:56 pm
You should read the article. It is now in Production.
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If it is in production, how come I can’t find a dealer despite extensive research to buy one?
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Liz Hochstedler Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 9:59 am
I know two of the first dealers are RIVA Motorsports & Marine, http://www.rivamotorsports.com/, and Cycle Springs Powersports, http://www.cyclespringsonline.com/default.asp.
- Liz Hochstedler, Managing Editor, PSB
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Now in stock the new Gibbs Sports Amphibians.
Ready for summer fun !!!!
Contact Rick
Honda Kawasaki West
817-244-5201
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Toto Reply:
March 28th, 2013 at 12:40 am
Hi Rick,
I live in Indonesia and very interesting with this Gibbs Quadski.
Pls inform me the model, stock and price.
Thanks,
Toto
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Must register in the USA. Buyer responsible for shipping.
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Quadski’s in stock!!
Stop on by to see these incredible amphibious machines for yourself!
Any questions please feel free to contact us at any time!
ph: 727-771-1211
fax: 727-771-1116
Email: Noel@CycleSpringsOnline.com
http://www.CycleSpringsOnline.com
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At Last!! Alan Gibbs and his team have been battling not only technical issues but the impressive might of our disconnected beaurocracies (i.e.: conflict between road use regulators and maritime regulators – especially in relqtion to the
humdinga!!) To succeed now is remarkable and to be applauded. I wish them every success and can’t wait until we can get them here in its “native New Zealand”.
Mike R
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