Ever wondered what would happen if the designers of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 turned their hands to boat-building? Marine Technology Incorporated of Wentzville, Missouri took that outrageous concept one step further and actually built this ZR1-themed powerboat on a stretched version of their 42-foot (12.8 metre) tunnel-hull racer.
And this is the result: the ZR48 - 14.6 metres of carbon-fibre hull, with all its above-water lines styled from the current ZR1 Corvette, including the hull sides headlights, tail lights, marker lights, special ZR48 emblems and engine vents.
The gull-wing cockpit doors have built-in escape hatches, and the canopy has an electric sliding rear window.
All the original Corvette components - inside and out - were bought from GM dealers (No pirate parts here - pun intentional). For instance, the steering wheel is a genuine ZR1 part, the shifter operates both engine throttles and all the original 'Vette gauges (speedometer, fuel gauge, two rev counters, are hooked up and working.
The interior is trimmed in a mix of synthetic leather and alcantara, with six air-conditioned seats. The helmsman and throttle operator's seats are power-adjustable, with built-in footrests.
(If a powerboat comes off the top of a wave with the throttle wide open it will over-rev the engines, so one member of the crew does nothing but read the waves ahead and chop the throttles just before the propellers leave the water.)
Ambient lighting for the cockpit area is provided by specially-made Lumiflex and LED fittings. The eight-kilowatt audio system is contained in a separate pod that rises from the foredeck and includes 12 speakers, a liquid-cooled amp, an Apple TV with Wi-Fi network, an iPod dock in the (genuine) ZR1 glove compartment and separate volume controls for the sub-woofers, cockpit and exterior sound.
The audio system and 24 000 BTU aircon even have their own power supply - a 4.2kW Fischer Panda diesel generator, so that you can party at your berth without running the main engines.
Oh yes, the engines; the ZR48 has two nine-litre, twin-turbo Mercury Racing V8's rated at 1007kW each. That's right, Dave, this thing produces more than two megawatts of power, enough to light up a small town.
Even the engine bays are 'Vette-themed, with carbon-fibre trim, LED and Lumiflex lighting, special ZR48 badges and embossed bulkhead panelling. Even the engines have ZR-1 replica rocker covers to give them that authentic Detroit look.
MTI won't be drawn on how fast it will go, probably to avoid the attention of the DEA, but they will quote you a price.
$1.7 million.
That's R13.5-million, about the same as a top-of the range Lamborghini, which has only two seats and 470kW.
Oh, and MTI will throw in a specially built, matching trailer, with power-washing facilities, stainless-steel floor, nearly 1000 LED lights, air suspension, billet aluminium steps, stainless-steel bumpers, chromed handrails, hydraulic landing gear and custom paint.
The ZR48 is way too wide to be transported by road so, at the press of a button, the trailer tilts the boat almost on its side, making the rig narrow enough to be driven on public roads without special permits - although you do have to supply your own tractor.