Russian Sherp is the Ultimate Amphibious 4×4

Boldride
February 9, 2016


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It goes without saying that specialization sometimes brings up limitations in vehicles. A car designed for the track will not do well with the least bit of dirt or rocks, while a 4×4 designed for the trail won’t be able to corner at high speed. But some vehicles can do just about anything, and when we come across those, it raises our eyebrows.

The vehicle in question is called the Sherp. It is a Russian ATV that can not only go over all manner of land, but can also take to the water. The wild looks of the Sherp are not just to conjure up images of your childhood Tonka trucks, but is because the huge tires allow it to go over bodies of water as well.

RELATED: Check out another amphibious ATV- the Quadski XL


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On land, the wheels move more like tank treads, locking up or slowing up one side to turn rather than actually tilting the wheels. According to Top Gear, the huge tires are self-inflating and patented, and feature paddle-like treads for propelling it over water. Just look at the video below.

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The 2,866-lb. machine is propelled by a 1.5-liter Kubota inline-4 turbodiesel engine. It makes a not-so-robust 44 hp, but no worries, as the gearing helps it get by. It tops out at 27.9 mph on land, an less than 4 mph in the water. But it goes on land and water, so don’t get too hung up on the specs.

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The Sherp is being branded as a work vehicle for extreme environments, and will get you and your tools to a spot on the mountain, or power lines, or swamp where no other vehicle will go. The base model, which features a soft tent-like roof will set you back $65,000, while a hardtop “Kung” model starts at $70,000. Seems like short money for a vehicle that can go where the rest of your work fleet dare not even try.