La pasión de diseñar lo imposible
21/04 21:19 CET
Para Frank Rinderknecht, diseñar los coches más inimaginables es el trabajo de su vida, su pasión, su modo de expresión. Resultado: un automóvil anfibio, otro que se adapta al estado de ánimo del conductor, uno de estilo budista… Porque según Frank, la inspiración llega, por sorpresa, en los momentos más insospechados.
Cars / talent
Pushing the limits of design
21/04 21:19 CET
Frank Rinderknecht has taken inspiration from everything from James Bond (0007) to a Buddhist monk to create some of the world’s most challenging concept cars. This Swiss designer is known for pushing the limits – combining speed and style with green fuels and cutting edge materials.
Swiss car designer sets new world record – Across the English Channel and into the Guinness Book of Records * Cash Back, Weber Motor and BayerMaterial Science support Rinspeed with prototype hydrofoil car
Dover (GB) / Sangatte (F) – The cross-channel trip that took place on July 26th, 2006 from the British port of Dover to the French town of Sangatte was certainly an adventure.
The world record was broken in the Rinspeed “Splash” – a completely new concept in amphibious vehicles which had already caused a sensation at the Geneva Motor Show in 2004.
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The successful record ride over the waves was a tough ordeal not only for the pilot but also for the material. The 140 bhp, 750 ccm Weber Motor engine can take the “Splash” up to 80 kph, and at that speed even small waves feel as hard as rock.
In theory, the 36 km or so between Dover and Sangatte would have taken just under half an hour but, says Rinderknecht, “I may be able to drive at that speed at home in Switzerland on Lake Zurich with no wind and the surface as smooth as glass, but not on one of the most difficult stretches of water in the world. But safety was always the prime concern.”
With his arrival at the French town of Sangatte, he captured his entry in the Guinness Book of Records. Frank M. Rinderknecht was overjoyed: “We Swiss are not just good at making the tastiest chocolate; we can also build the fastest hydrofoil vehicle in the world – even though we’re not exactly a seafaring nation …”.