The American roadable aircraft corporation Terrafugia has revealed the TF-X hybrid electric aircraft that can drive on land as well as in the air.
The Terrafugia TF-X is designed to be able to cruise on the streets as a plug-in hybrid vehicle, and then take off, and land vertically when the driver wants to take to the skies.
Transforming from a futuristic car to a high-tech aircraft, the Terrafugia TF-X is equipped with a computer that controls flight operations so that passengers just have to enter a destination, and it will take care of the rest.
Combining an electric motor with a 300 horsepower engine, the T-FX would have a 500-mile range and be able to achieve cruising speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. When airborne, the vehicle would also use a rear duct fan for thrust, and its propellers can be folded up during cruising mode.
As for the the T-FX, its pricing has yet to be announced, but the company says that it will likely be priced similar to “very high-end luxury cars of today.” But here’s the real bad news: Terrafugia says the T-FX will be “in development” for eight to 12 years.
In addition, US-based Terrafugia said the new design for the TF-X will be tested as a one-tenth scale model in a wind tunnel. The model is currently on display at the EAA AirVenture aviation convention in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.[wzslider height=”400″ lightbox=”true”]
