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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Officially Confirmed: New Volkswagen Golf R to go on Sale in the USA

Hot hatches are mostly a European fad, but Volkswagen’s R- and GTI-badged products have proved successful in the North American market over the years. That said, VW loyalists will be happy to know that the new Golf R has finally received the green light for America. No specific launch date was given, but according to the official announcement, the U.S.-bound Golf R will be released in “limited numbers and for a very limited time” starting from 2012.


Already offered in Europe and other markets, the Golf R32's successor ditches the naturally aspirated V6 in favor of a turbocharged 2.0-liter TSI engine. The Euro-spec model’s four-pot is rated at 270 hp and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque, bringing it closer to the STi and EVO X. Available in both 3- and 5-door flavors, the R also features VW's 4Motion all-wheel drive with a Haldex differential.
The 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint is completed in 5.7 seconds when the Golf R is equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, and in 5.5 seconds when gears are shifted with VW's optional DSG dual clutch transmission. In both cases top speed is limited to 250km/h or 155 mph.
As for the U.S. version, detailed specifications should be available later on.

By Csaba Daradics

Key attributes:

• 2.0L turbocharged engine with significant hp increase over GTI
• 4th generation Haldex 4Motion - all wheel drive
• Increased rotor diameter translating to improved braking
• Sport tuned ESP
• Upgraded sport tuned suspension
• 2 door or 4 door
• Manual Transmission Only
• Unique 18" alloy wheels
• Unique steering wheel
• Unique interior trim
• Exterior R model badge and bodykit
• R model shift knob
• R model door sills
• R model front and rear fascia with dual, center exit, exhaust

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China Market 2012 Volkswagen NMS Unwrapped?

Chances are you've already seen a set of pictures, supposedly depicting the U.S. market version of the 2012 Volkswagen New Midsized Sedan (NMS), floating around on the web-o-sphere this week. As always, we looked around and tried to find the original or one of the original sources of the photos. Turns out that these pictures originated from a Chinese car site called Autohome. If we are to believe the report, what you see here is the China-market version of the NMS. Even so, we would like to note that we're not entirely convinced of their authenticity as the photographs could very well be fabricated.
Either way, it won't be long before we find out what the North American market spec NMS looks like as Volkswagen recently confirmed that the car will get its world premiere at next month's Detroit Motor Show, with U.S. sales to begin in the third quarter of 2011.

Source: Autohome

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