This RX-7-Equipped Amphibious Monster Transforms Water into Your Private Autobahn | Carscoops

      A handcrafted amphibious vehicle with rotary power and jet propulsion challenges the boundaries between land and water.

      17 hours ago

      by Stephen Rivers

      The Sea Lion is a uniquely constructed amphibious car that took Marc Witt six years to complete.

      It is equipped with a supercharged 13B rotary engine sourced from the RX-7, enabling it to reach speeds of up to 180 mph.

      This car employs jet propulsion along with a single steering wheel to manage movement on both land and water.

      We cover nearly every category of vehicle here—cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, and buses—but few compare to this one. Over six years, this amphibious machine, aptly named the Sea Lion, presents a remarkable blend of high-speed land performance and water navigation capabilities.

      When it first appeared in 2012, it was claimed to be the fastest amphibious car globally. Now, as it approaches auction, each detail about it feels increasingly unconventional, particularly its supercharged Mazda 13B rotary engine.

      More: Brazil Considers Law to Require Automakers to Offer Amphibious Vehicles

      This engine, found in the Mazda RX-7, here comes with the distinctive sound produced by a supercharger. This fusion is what allowed the Sea Lion to earn the title of the fastest amphibious car on land at the time.

      Reportedly, it could achieve speeds up to 180 mph (289 km/h), although there were faster amphibious vehicles on water. In that context, it is best viewed as a very rapid road car capable of traversing waterways when necessary.

      Marc Witt, the creator, claimed to have driven the vehicle to 130 mph (209 km/h) at El Mirage when it was newly built. This is not merely a custom body sitting atop a pre-existing chassis; Witt crafted nearly every visible aspect, from the chassis to the body panels, as well as much of the system that enables the Sea Lion to operate on both land and water. The exterior panels are made of CNC-milled and TIG-welded 5052 aluminum throughout.

      When it’s time for water travel, the Sea Lion utilizes side pods for flotation and a jet propeller for thrust and steering. Notably, the same steering wheel that manages the front wheels also directs the rear thruster.

      At the front of the vehicle, a significant section serves as a chin spoiler during land use and can flip up to redirect waves beneath the vehicle when in water. However, it might obstruct the driver’s view, presenting one limitation of ownership.

      Mecum has not provided extensive details on the current condition of the Sea Lion. Therefore, it remains unclear whether it is seaworthy or roadworthy at this point. Additionally, this vehicle is designed for a single occupant, so don’t anticipate taking anyone along. As far as we can ascertain, it is not street legal either. Nonetheless, it will go up for auction on Saturday, September 20th.

      So, is the Sea Lion practical? Not at all. However, the allure of a single-seat, jet-propelled, aluminum-framed rocket that also floats is hard to dispute. If this kind of extravagant engineering resonates with you, you’re not alone. Check out the list here to see how this amphibious peculiarity compares.