WaterCar Gator: An Amphibious VW Beetle-Based Jeep Lookalike for the Budget Minded

In October ’09 we brought you details and pictures of WaterCar’s US$200,000 Python: a Corvette-engined sea going convertible / roadable speed boat. It wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t cheap, but some child-like part of us was enthralled with the sheer absurdity of it. Well, if you're on a tight(er) budget, the company also offers a considerably cheaper model. The Gator is essentially a kit car, albeit an impressive looking one at that.

Inspired by the Myers Manx of the 1960s (and looking like a Jeep Wrangler), the US$29,500 Gator comes with a complete fibreglass body, gear box and transmission, water jet propulsion unit, high torque drive axles, front and rear suspension parts, head lights, steering assembly and various stainless steel parts.
All an enterprising buyer has to do is bolt in the chassis and engine from a Volkswagen Beetle and e viola; you have your very own amphibious automobile. Though one has to wonder: does this make the Python, which costs almost ten times as much, redundant?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

By Tristan Hankins

Link: Watercar

What is included in the kit:
1. WaterCar Fiberglass Body and Hull Assembly
2. WaterCar Patented Gear Box and Transmission Assembly
3. Rear Water Jet Propulsion Unit
2. Hood
3. Doors
4. Deck Lid
5. All Various Stainless Hinges and Door Latches
5. Windshield
6. Left and Right High Torque Drive Axles
7. Front and Rear Suspension Components
8. Head Light Assemblies
9. Steering Assembly (Both water and road)
10. Stainless Steel Hardware
PRICE FOR KIT: $29,500.00

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Marchionne: 2012 Jeep Wrangler to get Pentastar V6, Dodge working on a new compact car

In the announcement on Chrysler's third-quarter sales results, the company's CEO Sergio Marchionne confirmed that next year's 2012MY Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited will both get a new 3.6-liter V6 "Pentastar" engine. Mr. Marchionne also spoke of a new Dodge sedan as well, which is currently being developed on the underpinnings of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback.

The Pentastar V6 first debuted on the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and is gradually making its way on other models, including the 2011 Dodge Charger and Grand Caravan.

Now it's the Wrangler's turn, which received a significantly upgraded interior for the 2011 model year, but Jeep's modernizing efforts were somewhat overshadowed by the old 3.8-liter V6, capable of delivering 202 hp (151 kW).

The new engine will solve this problem, though output is not known yet. For the record, the the Pentastar V6 produces 283 hp (211 kW) and 305 hp (227 kW) on the aforementioned Dodge models.

During the sales call, Sergio Marchionne also spoke about Dodge's upcoming compact model that will be based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, confirming that it will be a sedan and not a hatchback like the 2011 Dodge Caliber.

The new platform is set to "govern all of Chrysler's C- and D-segment vehicles, both passenger cars and SUVs, for the foreseeable future", said Marchionne, meaning that next-generation midsize sedans and crossovers will use it.

The small Dodge will enter production in early 2012, at the Belvidere Assembly Plant, which is undergoing an extensive renovation process that is costing the Chrysler Group $600 million.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Kicking Tires

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