The car that 'drives' on water: Special edition convertible Mini makes waves at regatta (but can it REALLY float like a boat?)

Mini is making a splash with its new model - a floating car.

The auto manufacturer turned heads in Cambridge, Massachusetts, over the weekend when it tested its buoyant special edition Mini on the Charles River.
The convertible boat, which is powered by a 6hp outboard motor, is a fiberglass version of a 2004 Mini hard-top.

Special edition: Mini turned heads in Cambridge, Massachusetts, over the weekend when it tested its convertible boat on the Charles River

Innovative: The craft is powered by a 6hp outboard motor, is a fiberglass version of a 2004 Mini hard-top

The fibreglass car was created from a mold and then mounted to a boat hull.

It was then decked out with all the usual Mini accessories, including wheels, tyres, headlights, badge, steering wheel and grille.

It was built as part of Mini USA's annual Motor-Tober activities, when the firm dedicates the month of October to celebrate all that is fun about its brand.

 

This year's program is called the Not Normal Sales Event, and this one-of-a-kind boat was the Mini USA Eastern Region's interpretation of 'Not Normal'.

Tom Salkowsky, Mini USA's marketing manager, said: 'We challenged our regional staff and the dealers in their respective areas to identify 'Not Normal' ways to celebrate this Motor-Tober by engaging the Mini community and demonstrate why it's an exciting brand family to be part of.

'The Mini USA Eastern Region has created the perfect example of what the Motor-Tober Not Normal Sales Event is all about with the Mini convertible boat.'

Decked out: The boat comes with all the usual Mini accessories, including wheels, tyres, headlights, badge, steering wheel and grille.

The vehicle was built as part of Mini USA's annual Motor-Tober activities, when the firm dedicates the month of October to celebrate all that is fun about its brand

The car was shown off to spectators before the Head Of The Charles Regatta.

Fred Schoch, executive director of the HOCR event, said: 'We are pleased and excited to support Mini in this creative activation strategy and look forward working with them this weekend. We have never before allowed a company to float a car on the Charles during racing.'

Aside from the rowing competitors, the Mini boat was the only vessel on the race course, which is three miles long and between the Boston University Boathouse to Christian Herter Park.

It was operated by a member of the HOCR River Control Committee, who used it to monitor the safety of the rowers.