Hyundai Kite

The Geneva International Motor Show is one of the very few places on earth where you might find Rimac and Lamborghini unveiling cars that adapt to the mood of their driver while Volkswagen is across the hall unveiling a concept with prominently featured shag carpeting. It’s a celebration of possibility and innovation and, yes, sometimes, unnecessary-but-really-cool vehicles. One concept that falls squarely into the “don’t need it, want it anyway” category is the Hyundai Kite, an all-electric two-seater amphibious dune buggy that turns into a single-seater jet ski.

Hyundai paired up for a second time this year with 15 students at Turin’s Istituto di Design to create the unrepentantly fun concept. The Kite is meant to be powered by four brushless engines inside the wheels when on land and by jet propulsion at sea. Without doors, windows, or a roof, the clean design remains functional without losing sight of how downright playful it is.

While most land-to-sea vehicles tend to adopt an aesthetic that is at home in whatever James Bond film was released closest to its model year, the Kite sports a different look altogether. With a monocoque chassis, partially exposed suspension, and off-road tires, the Kite combines retro styling with modern amenities and is designed to be driven by the user’s mobile phone. Its a true concept, there’s no word of possible production, nor is it clear how the transition from buggy to jet ski occurs. Also unclear, and perhaps best left unspoken, is the fate of the second passenger when the conversion to single-seat jet ski is complete. Learn more at Hyundai.

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