All the companies that are working on ‘flying cars’ or roadable aircrafts, are small start-ups. The primary reason is probably that the world is not yet ready for something like that, there are challenges with regard to their classification, practicality, safety, approvals and many different things.
China’s Geely, which owns Volvo Cars and Lotus brands hopes to change that. According to the South China Morning Post, Geely has agreed to buy Terrafugia for an undisclosed amount.
Founded by MIT graduates in 2006, Terrafugia’s first project the ‘Transition’ is claimed to be the “world’s first practical flying car”. The Transition received the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classification as a Light Sport Aircraft, last year. The company is accepting reservations for a refundable deposit of $10,000 and hopes to deliver within the next three years.
The Transition has a 100 hp single Rotax 912 engine, with a max cruise speed of 100 mph (161 km/h), and a range of 400 miles (643 km).
The TF-X we see in these pictures is Terrafugia’s next project, it will have a hybrid powertrain with an 800 km range and 320 km/h cruise speed. The electric pods will produce 1 MW of power. The TF-X will have vertical take-off and landing capability.
Sources: SCMP, Terrafugia
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