By Kate Midena
The Superbus was developed by former Dutch astronaut Wubbo Ockels and his team. Picture: EPA / Lex Van Lieshout
The bus is fully powered by electricity. Picture: EPA / Lex Van Lieshout
Tourists look at the first Superbus prototype, on display at the World Exhibition of the International Association of Public Transport in Dubai. Picture: EPA / Ali Haider
It looks more like the Batmobile than a bus, but visitors to the United Arab Emirates could soon be travelling at 255 km/h in this super-luxurious Superbus.
The most glamorous invention to hit the UAE to date, the Superbus was designed by Dutch astronauts over a seven year period.
Resembling an elongated limousine, the Superbus if fully powered by electricity, and was constructed with light carbon fibre materials to make it more energy efficient.
Coming in at close to $18 million to create, the Superbus measures 4.5m, has six wheels, 12 doors, and seats 23 passengers.
Inside each passenger will have a personal air bag, television and internet access.
The Superbus was unveiled at the World Exhibition of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) in Dubai by Dutch astronaut Wubbo Ockels, who was a mission specialist on the Challenger.
'The strength of the concept is that the Superbus can drive everywhere where a normal bus can drive," Mr Ockels told The Daily Mail.
The vehicle has adjustable height, rear-wheel steering and a turning circle of roughly 10m.
If it passes government inspections, it will go into service in popular areas around the UAE.
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