Going Rogue in a Luxury Hybrid Snowmobile

When we heard that Sarah Palin got a $1.25 million advance for Going Rogue, we wondered how she was going to spend the loot. With a new wardrobe in the closet and donors clamoring to her PAC like cranky old people to a town hall meeting, we think it’s time for her to listen to her new pal Oprah and live that best life now.

We’ve got just the thing: a luxury snowmobile snow machine just perfect for a fabulously wealthy Alaskan former First Family.

The i-Scoob (Get it? No? Sound it out! Ice cube — good one!) is a concept from designer Jeff Darling. It’s a plug-in hybrid with a well-appointed interior that can also be hosed out. It’s designed to be as capable carrying precision instruments to measure the thinning permafrost as it is hauling bullet-riddled polar bear carcasses. Plus, there’s an electric-only feature for crossing those especially environmentally sensitive areas of the tundra on the way to a seal hunt.

It’s purely a concept — even in Alaska it’ll never see the light of midnight, but gosh is it fun.

Depending on the time of year, Darling said that on-board solar panels may be useful for when all other fuel sources are expended. “While there may not be much sun in the areas the i-Scoob would operate, every little bit helps,” he said. “Even if it takes a couple days to generate enough power to finish the journey it’s better than being permanently stuck.”

The passenger compartment of the i-Scoob is enclosed by a front-hinged capsule, and every hollow compartment is filled with foam for insulation and flotation. “Should the vehicle fall through ice into frigid water it will remain afloat,” Darling said. “The foam also helps insulate the drivetrain components and occupants from the harsh environment.” A glazed cockpit traps warm air from the sun, providing skeptics a real-life demonstration of the greenhouse effect.

Steering and acceleration are via joystick, while a radio and climate control keep passengers comfortable and entertained.

Posted in: Hybrid,Snowmobile