Panther (amphibious vehicle)

{{Infobox automobile

| name = WaterCar Panther

| image = WaterCar on Land.jpg

| caption = WaterCar Panther on Street in Newport, CA.

| manufacturer = WaterCar

| aka =

| production = 2013-present

| model_years =

| assembly = Fountain Valley, California, United States

| designer = David March

| class = Compact SUV, Convertible, Boat, Amphibious automobile

| body_style = 2-door SUV, 2-door convertible, 2-door boat

| layout = Rear engine, Rear-wheel drive

| platform =

| related =

| engine = 3.7L (3,664 cc) 24 valve SOHC V6 VTEC gasoline engine

| transmission =

| wheelbase =

| length =

| width =

| height =

| weight = {{convert|2950|lbs}}

| predecessor =

| successor =

| sp = us

}}

The WaterCar Panther is a commercial amphibious car manufactured by California-based WaterCar.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/06/25/amphibious-off-roader-launches-in-california/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626062406/http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/06/25/amphibious-off-roader-launches-in-california/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 26, 2013|title=Amphibious off-roader launches in California|date=June 25, 2013|accessdate=July 31, 2014|publisher=Fox News |first=Gary|last=Gastelu}}{{cite web|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2013/06/25/watercar-panther-looks-to-wrangle-the-road-and-open-water/|title=Watercar Panther looks to wrangle the road and open water|date=June 25, 2013|accessdate=July 31, 2014|work=Autoblog.com|first=Seyth|last=Miersma}} The Panther entered production in 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.carscoops.com/2013/06/watercar-panther-amphibious-car-with.html|title=WaterCar Panther Amphibious Car with Honda V6 Enters Production [Updated]|date=June 17, 2013|accessdate=July 31, 2014|work=Carscoops|first=Andrei|last=Nedelea}} It was introduced in 2013 after 14 years of development by founder Dave March.{{cite web |last=Lloyd |first=Alex |date=June 27, 2013 |title=WaterCar Panther, the amphibious off-road vehicle sets sail |url=https://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/watercar-panther-amphibious-off-road-vehicle-sets-sail-202554676.html |accessdate=July 31, 2014 |work=Yahoo! Autos}} It is currently being produced in Fountain Valley, California.

Overview

The WaterCar Panther design is solely based on a Jeep compact SUV. The vehicle is constructed from lightweight steel for the chassis and fiberglass for the body.{{cite web |last=Jablansky |first=Jeffrey |date=July 22, 2013 |title=The amphibious car makes a splash: Test driving the WaterCar Panther |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/watch-amphibious-watercar-splash-daily-news-test-drive-article-1.1405637 |accessdate=July 31, 2014 |work=Daily News}} The WaterCar Panther has a top speed of {{convert|85|mph}} on land and {{convert|45|mph}} on the water.{{cite web |last=England-Nelson |first=Jordan |date=January 27, 2014 |title=Amphibious WaterCar is a pricey, fast boat, too |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2022770851_autowatercarxml.html |accessdate=July 31, 2014 |work=The Seattle Times}} The Panther has three trim levels, with the top model equipped with a 3.7L (3,664 cc) 24 valve SOHC V6 VTEC engine which produces 305 HP similar to the second generation Acura MDX SUV.{{cite web |last=Dodson |first=Brian |date=June 30, 2013 |title=Is it a Jeep? Is it a speedboat? No, it's WaterCar's Panther amphibious vehicle |url=http://www.gizmag.com/watercar-panther-amphibious-jeep-acura-jet-boat-water-fun/28099/ |accessdate=July 31, 2014 |work=Gizmag}}

{{multiple image

| align = left

| direction = horizontal

| width = 220

| image1 = WaterCar in Action.jpg

| caption1 = WaterCar Panther driving at Lake Havasu, AZ.

| image2 = WaterCar Panther at High Speeds.jpg

| caption2 = Water Car Panther driving at High Speeds on Lake Havasu, AZ.}}

References

Category:Wheeled amphibious vehicles

Category:Cars of the United States