Daimler’s first amphibious vehicle is now ready to brave the seas

The first amphibious vehicle in smart history will cross the Strait of Sicily for its inaugural journey.

This summer Daimler’s smart will unite the Italian peninsula, connecting Messina to Villa San Giovanni with the inaugural launch of the forsea, “a versatile concept car that broadens the horizons of the ultimate urban vehicle.” Following the smart forrail, which put the ultimate city car on a railway, smart aims to achieve the dream of a boundless journey, where the absence of asphalt is no limit. The forsea is the next step in the rich history of water cars, which date back to the early 1900s and have mainly been explored for military purposes.

forsea an open boat with two comfortable seats and a wide transom lined with teak and inspired by the classic lobster boat. This one of a kind cruiser features a small refrigerator and an ice bucket for a fresh drink. The vehicle’s interior was produced by Focaccia Group, smart’s Italian partner based in Cervia.

 

The 90 hp rear engine was easily paired with a custom-made water-jet propeller and connected to a joint shaft on the rear differential. Transferring traction from the rear wheels to the water jet is managed by an ECU that handles the differential lock and transfers torque from the axles to the universal joint shaft.

Thanks to the careful study of fluid dynamics and innovative technology that allows the wheels to be angled at 35° – thus lining up with the hull and the underbody – the smart forsea offers a cruising speed of 10 knots, with peaks at 15 knots and 3 hours of navigating autonomy. The steering wheel provides complete control over the boat, guiding the jet of water with extreme precision, in keeping with the marked agility of the for two.