Designer and maker of the first flying cars, Terrafugia has announced that its transition design are set to go on sale to the public as early as 2015.
The automaker said the flying car is in part a sedan and partly a private jet with two seats, four wheels and wings that fold up so it can be driven like a car. The car will be on sale in less than two years.
The Massachusetts-based firm has also unveiled plans for a TF-X model that will be small enough to fit in a garage, and won’t need a runway to take off.
Last year, the Transition successfully flew at 1,400 feet for eight minutes.
Commercial jets fly at 35,000 feet.
However, it will not be cheap, as the Transition will cost £190,000 ($300,000),
Terrafugia said owners must have pilot’s licenses, and will need to pass a test plus complete 20 hours of flying time to be able to fly the car.
Despite the advances in technology the Transition demonstrates, critics have said that it is still not the vision of flying cars seen in many sci-fi films.
To answer these critics, Terrafugia has now also released designs for a TF-X Model of its Transition range.
Whereas the Transition requires a runway, the TF-X can take off from a vertical position because of motorised rotors on the wings.
These rotors will work in a similar way to helicopter rotors.
Being able to take off from standstill means owners will be able to go from the road to the air straight from their driveways, car parks and even when stuck in traffic.
Although you will still need at least 100 feet in diameter in order to open the wings.
According to Terrafugia, the vehicle will carry four people ‘in car-like comfort’.
It is expected to be able to fly, nonstop, for 500 miles.
The TF-X model has not been tested yet, and prices haven’t been announced.
The automaker said the flying car is in part a sedan and partly a private jet with two seats, four wheels and wings that fold up so it can be driven like a car. The car will be on sale in less than two years.
The Massachusetts-based firm has also unveiled plans for a TF-X model that will be small enough to fit in a garage, and won’t need a runway to take off.
Last year, the Transition successfully flew at 1,400 feet for eight minutes.
Commercial jets fly at 35,000 feet.
However, it will not be cheap, as the Transition will cost £190,000 ($300,000),
Terrafugia said owners must have pilot’s licenses, and will need to pass a test plus complete 20 hours of flying time to be able to fly the car.
Despite the advances in technology the Transition demonstrates, critics have said that it is still not the vision of flying cars seen in many sci-fi films.
To answer these critics, Terrafugia has now also released designs for a TF-X Model of its Transition range.
Whereas the Transition requires a runway, the TF-X can take off from a vertical position because of motorised rotors on the wings.
These rotors will work in a similar way to helicopter rotors.
Being able to take off from standstill means owners will be able to go from the road to the air straight from their driveways, car parks and even when stuck in traffic.
Although you will still need at least 100 feet in diameter in order to open the wings.
According to Terrafugia, the vehicle will carry four people ‘in car-like comfort’.
It is expected to be able to fly, nonstop, for 500 miles.
The TF-X model has not been tested yet, and prices haven’t been announced.
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