Twenty-five years of Rinspeed concepts, amazing cars to dream about

A few days ago we received images of a Rinspeed model equipped with a drone built into its bodywork, complete with a landing pad and everything. This brand may not be familiar to every motoring enthusiast, but for several years it has been presenting conceptual models that never fail to surprise. These are not the kind of concepts conventional manufacturers usually show; they are far bolder and more original ideas.

The company was founded in 1979, although one of its models was not seen until 1991. The wait was certainly worth it. There have been 25 models, and we bring you only a few of them so you can get an idea of the wildly unconventional ideas it has produced throughout its already long history. All of its models have debuted at the Geneva Motor Show, although this year it will make an exception: it will first be shown at the CES, in a few days’ time.

One of the first cars it presented was the Rinspeed Nissan 300 ZX Speed-Art from 1992, which was based on the Nissan. In its customised form, power rose from 238 CV to 420 CV. Curiously, the car’s decoration was handled by Swiss artist Rolf Knie, who painted those 420 horses onto the bodywork. To say the least, original.

The Rinspeed Roadster I + SC-R arrived in 1995 and is the only one of all these models that reached production, although in a very limited run. It was built from the same aluminium used in the aerospace industry and had a 218 CV engine, though an upgrade to 305 CV could also be requested.

At the 1999 Geneva Motor Show the Rinspeed X-Trem M.U.V was unveiled. It was a pick-up designed to serve as the base for a hovercraft for use on the beach or on rural tracks. Indeed, it was mounted at the rear and was lowered off with a crane so it could be ready within minutes. It could also carry a scooter or even a jet ski, depending on needs.

The first car with “.com” in its name was also the work of Rinspeed. This was the Rinspeed Tatooo.com, which arrived in 2000 and aimed to appeal to buyers, especially younger ones, through that suffix so typical of the 21st century. As a Rinspeed, it came with extreme diving equipment in the rear, so that it would not be an ordinary car.

Also designed for water, they created the Rinspeed Splash, which floated and skimmed across the water like a hovercraft, and the Rinspeed sQuba, which could be used as a submarine. The first used hydrofoils that let it “fly” over the water, while the second was based on James Bond’s Lotus. Of course, its occupants had to wear diving gear, because it was a convertible…

Finally, the Rinspeed Etos will arrive this year, and I invite you to get to know it a little better thanks to the article we devoted to it a few days ago. In it you can find information about its mechanics and the inclusion of a drone to make it even more spectacular.

Source | Autoexpress