Driven to Fly - A Car (FEATURE)
(Video FlyingCarFilm)
Terrafugia (ter-ra-FOO-gee-ah) is derived from the Latin for "Escape the Earth". It's also the world's first flying car. Or, is it a car that's a plane? Terrafugia is the name of a Massachusetts based company which just built, 'The Transition Roadable Aircraft' - a car that becomes a plane. Founded in 2006 by award-winning MIT-trained aeronautical engineers & MBA's, who are also passionate private pilots, the company’s mission is to provide innovative solutions to the challenges facing personal aviation. It's made of carbon fiber, titanium & aluminum; costs $279,000 & seats only 2 with some trunk space. The hybrid completed its first flight on March 23, 2012 with a cruising speed of 100 mph in the air, & it'll burn about 20 MPG of mid-grade octane fuel. On the ground, when the flat-four engine powers the rear wheels (not the propeller), drivers can expect about 35MPG. It's making its major debut this week at the NY Auto Show. (Read more at Engadget)