Richard Branson is stupid cool

Entrepreneur Richard Branson has set a new world record by driving across the English Channel in a James-Bond style amphibious sports car in under two hours.

The flamboyant Virgin Group chairman, who has set world records crossing the Atlantic by hot air balloon and speed boat, slashed four and a half hours off the previous amphibious channel crossing record set by two Frenchmen in the 1960s.

Branson crossed the 22-mile (35 km) stretch of water to Calais in France on Monday in a smooth run in the 75,000 pounds sleek grey and black Aquada sports car in just one hour 40 minutes and six seconds.

As the car drove up on to Calais' sandy beach, its windscreen wiper still going, a very wet but elated Richard Branson emerged -- continuing the Bond theme in a dinner jacket.

"A few big ferry waves engulfed us a bit, but it was rather refreshing," Branson said. "Its a remarkable car and it definitely gets a lot of smiles from people on the ferries."

The amphibious car, which seats 3 people, can travel at more than 100 miles per hour on land and 30 miles per hour on sea.

At the flick of a button the British engineered Aquada's wheels retract and its jet engine engages, propelling the car through the water.

Only two previous amphibious crossings of the channel have been recorded, the first by Englishman Ben Carlin in the 1950s with a time of seven hours and 33 minutes and the second by two Frenchmen in the 1960s.

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