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Is The Future Of Company Cars In The Skies?
25 July 2016
From the interior dashboard and in-car equipment, to the energy that powers the engine and the automated driving systems; the technology of our cars is changing at a staggering rate.
And just when you thought you could no longer keep up with all the advancements, another one comes along which could completely redefine personal transportation and the driving experience in unimaginable ways.
Flying cars — yes, like the ones you’ve seen in The Jetson’s and Harry Potter — have been in development for years, and have recently made a significant leap forward as one of the most famous flyer car manufacturers has received certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Massachusetts-based startup Terrafugia began development of its first road-legal aircraft — the ‘Transition’ — back in 2006. In 2009 it ran a series of test flights of a concept vehicle, and 3 years later tests of its second-generation prototype.
The vehicle resembles a partially modified light aircraft, just big enough to snuggly fit two people inside and be stowed away in a garage, thanks to its foldable wings. One big drawback of the Transition however is that in order to get it in the air, you need to reach a certain speed which is only possible on a runway.
The company is now working on the third-generation prototype which is due to be tested later this year or in early 2017. If the flight is successful, they plan to bring their creation to market shortly after.
Making The Flying Company Car Fleet A Reality
Terrafugia is also behind another flying car called the TF-X, which similarly to the Transition has foldable wings, but this time with two twin electric motors attached to each end. This crucially means the TF-X can take to the skies from a standing position, eliminating the need for a runway.
The TF-X brings more power than the Transition from its 300 horsepower engine, making it possible to hit a cruising speed of 200mph and increase the flying range up to 500 miles.
It’s also more practical, being able to seat 4 people comfortably and be operated much more easily — just type in your destination and learn some basic controls and away you go.
According to Terrafugia, the complete road- and sky-ready version of the TF-X will be ready by 2018, with the expectation to go on general sale in 2024.
Flying cars are no longer restricted to sci-fi epics, but are rather shaping the very real and not-to-distant-future of personal transportation. The first we will see of them may be in manned vehicles which act in the same way as a taxis do — except with less physical boundaries. But you won’t have to wait until long until you’re able to buy your very own fleet, kitting out your company with the ultimate in personal door-to-door transportation.
If you’d like to find out more about our other leasing options or our fleet management service, send us an email at info@marshall-leasing.co.uk, or call us on 01480 414541.
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