Australian Car Guide

Amphi-Ranger at sea.

The Amphi-Ranger was a purpose built amphibious four wheel drive vehicle. A fresh start makes for fewer compromises in the design than an adapted four wheel drive such as the amphibious Jeep or Seep. The hull is made of sea-water resistant aluminium alloy. Difficult design decisions in an amphibian include the suspension design and getting the steering and drive through the hull in a water-tight way. This is all much easier when starting from scratch.

Water drive is by a propellor which is retracted by an electric motor. The front wheels do the steering in water.

The main disadvantage of a specialised design is cost - about $54,000 (Aus) back in 1985.

- /4WD.html

Melbourne Motor Show

AmphiRanger 2800SR Specifications ~ 1985.

• 4 seats, 2door or 4 door
• loa: 4810mm, width: 1835mm, height: 1915mm, weight: 1950kg (unladen)
• GVM: 2750kg
• wheelbase: 2500mm, track: 15200mm/15200mm
• turning radius: 6m
• 2772cc petrol V6
• bore: 93mm, stroke: 68.5mm, c.r.: 9.2:1
• power: 99kW at 5200rpm, torque: 216Nm at 3000rpm
• transmission: 4m (? later 5m ?), quadra-track, selectable front drive
• suspension: independent, brakes: disc/disc
• tyres: 215R 16, fuel-tank: 80L

Speed in water: 18 kph
AmphiRanger 2000SR: 1954cc, 4cyl, 91mmx77mm, 74kW at 5200rpm, 153Nm at 4000rpm
Present status: unknown
RMA: Rheinhauer Maschinen und Armeturenbau GmbH.

Go the the civilian and military amphibians page