AmphiCoach GTS-1
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| AmphiCoach GTS-1 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | GS Specialist Vehicles |
| Parent company | G Smith Group of Companies |
| Production | 2006-present |
| Assembly | Malta |
| Class | Amphibious motorcoach |
| Platform | Irisbus |
| Engine(s) | Iveco Tector Common Rail Turbo Diesels Intercooler 2/4 WD |
| Designer | George Smith |
The AmphiCoach GTS-1 is an amphibious passenger coach designed by Scotsman George Smith and built in Malta. The final prototype has been recently tested at Marsaxlokk Bay, Malta. The prototype was hand-built on the island, with a considerable contribution from former Malta Drydocks workers whose skill Smith described as "invaluable". Smith is now negotiating with Malta Industrial Parks about a suitable factory for production, aiming for 12 buses a year. Employees are expected to grow to around 50.
The price of the AmphiCoach GTS-1 is set to around £280,000. To date there are over a dozen orders confirmed or in the final stages, with another 50 serious enquiries. An Australian firm is considering buying 20 buses over a five-year period, a Dutch entity is considering seven, and a German company is considering three.
Another amphibious vehicle intended for search and rescue purposes is currently being designed on the same concept.
