Audi R8 inspires new super-speedboat

A Swedish design company, Vizualtech, has released renderings of a new super-speedboat called the R 8.8 BioCat, a name that hints at the strong influence of Audi's R8 sportscar on its design.

The computer generated images clearly show a glasshouse following the profile of the Audi, while the detailing also echoes the German sportscar. Vizualtech has even retained Audi's 'sideblade' feature, which can be specified in various colours and materials.

However, one major difference between the speedboat and the car is the adoption of dramatic gullwing doors for the seagoing craft.

Power is provided by either a V10 turbodiesel running on bio-diesel or a pair of 320bhp V8 turbodiesels, either of which could be marinised versions of Audi's own engines.

At this stage, it's not clear whether the speedboat will get the go ahead, though it has been created for a Dubai race boat company and it is quoted as having a top speed equivalent to 110mph.

Shane O' Donoghue