Back in the 1940’s and 50’s a number of futurists declared that flying cars were “just around the corner,” and that they would revolutionize the world of personal travel. That never quite happened, but almost 60 years later it is now possible to own a very similar contraption that promises to extend the utility of the personal airplane in a brand new direction.

Terrafugia Transition's Flying Car

Terrafugia Transition's Flying Car

The Terrafugia Transition is less a flying car and more an airplane that can be safely driven on public roads. In terms of appearance, the James Bond-style transporter is either an odd-looking airplane or a completely off-the-wall automobile…depending upon how you look at it. But one thing is certain: it succeeds both in the sky and on the ground in providing its pilot with excellent flying and driving characteristics.

The Transition is primarily designed with air travel in mind. A split tail frames a rear pusher-type propeller, and a small front stabilizer wing rides in front of the vehicle’s two forward landing gear. The plane makes use of a 100 horsepower horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine that provides enough grunt to cruise at up to 115 miles per hour with a range of 460 miles. While in the air, the plane burns fuel at the rate of 5 gallons per hour, and it can haul up to 460 lbs.

Filling up the flying car.

Filling up the flying car.

Of course, the weather doesn’t always cooperate with even the best laid flight plans, which can often leave pilots stranded halfway through their journey as they wait for the skies to clear. This is where the Transition really shines.

At essentially the touch of a button, the plane’s wings fold up and the vehicle becomes completely road legal. Front-wheel drive, it gets 30 miles per gallon when traveling on the ground and can seat up to two passengers. This means that when it rains, getting to the next destination is as simple as finding the nearest highway. The plane / car’s cargo hold is also large enough to accommodate skis and golf clubs, which makes it practical for weekend getaways all over the country.

Not only can the Transition’s road-going abilities help out when the weather gets gloomy, but its compact size and shape can also save on hangar fees. In car mode, the Transition measures just under 7 feet in height and is only around 80 inches wide, meaning it can fit in a standard one-car garage. This allows pilots to simply drive it to and from the airport.

Of course, there are trade-offs when it comes to building a compromise like the Transition. For one, the wings do form blind spots on either side of the vehicle when they are folded, and the rear tail also serves to block visibility. This means that pilots have to be extra careful when maneuvering the Transition on the ground. It might also be a bit difficult to explain to your insurance company just exactly what you are trying to get them to cover – a plane that is also a car, or a car that is also a plane. However, for $194,000 the Terrafugia Transition seems to be a bargain in the world of exotic vehicles. After all, when was the last time you saw a Lamborghini take to the skies?

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