This Russian-Designed, Amphibious Truck with Self-Inflating Tires Looks Badass

Twistedsifter.com ^ | current | Staff

[Rebelbase]

Designed to handle the harsh and unforgiving Russian environment, SHERP is an amphibious truck with self-inflating tires that can go across land, water and everything in between-including obstacles 70 cm (27.5 in) high.

Based out of Saint Petersburg, the first SHERP prototype was built in 2012 by Aleksey Garagashyan. Four years later, SHERP is now available for sale to the public with based models starting just under US$50,000.

According to Jalopnik:

It weighs just 2,866 pounds dry, so while it might only have a 44.3 horsepower 1.5 liter Kubota V1505 four-cylinder diesel linked to a five-speed manual, it will still do 28 mph on land, or 3.7 mph in water, depending on the wind. It will also crawl at up to 9.3 mph in first gear.

With its giant custom tires and the skid-steer, it can also turn in its own length, which is 11 feet. And as long as the trees ahead are at least 8.2 feet apart, this crazy two seater will find a way through them.

[Rebelbase]

looks like a piece of farm equipment that has been genetically modified.

Videos at the article.

[ozzymandus]

What’s it good for?

[frithguild]

Whats it good for?

Cruising for chicks in Minsk

[umgud]

Nice portable duck blind.

[Sirius Lee]

I love it when all the midget clowns pile out of it, honking their noses and opening their polka dot umbrellas.

[Rebelbase]

Going where no man has gone before.

[SeeSharp]

Looks like a motorized duck blind.

[TigersEye]

It’s eating a man!

[DesertRhino]

“What’s it good for?”

Absolutely NOTHIN’,,,, say it again,,,,

[Talisker]

What's it good for?

Judging from the video, just about anything.

Although I must say, I knew some Texas Good Old Boys that were already doing this back in the 70's.

[Rebelbase]

[redfreedom]

A death trap.

[blueunicorn6]

How many cup holders does it have?

[OKSooner]

I think you might have a point...

[datura]

Bumper sticker for it: IF YOUR PRIUS IS MISSING, CHECK UNDER MY TIRES

[catbertz]

That video convinced me to as this vehicle to my dream list. That thing is amazing on land and water.

[null and void]

Less than 3000 lbs. Exempt from most US government regulations?

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

Driving onto ice, breaking the ice, and driving out of the river is amazing. Conditions don't get any worse than that.

I wonder how steep an incline it can take. It must have a high center of gravity.

[null and void]

Dunno. It looks like mose of the weight is down between the wheels:

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

I once killed something that looked like it in my basement.