The Future Is Here: Start "Flying" Car Shopping
The future has arrived. Forget that Chrysler 300, or that Chevy Camaro! At a starting price tag of $200,000, you can pass up the Joneses and keep up with The Jetsons in your first ever flying car.
The flying car by Terrafugia has been approved by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The vehicle is being aptly called the Transition. The approval by the NHTSA comes with special exemptions. One of which is that the tires that it uses are approved for highway speeds but not typical of other multi-purpose vehicles. It will also come equipped with its own type of special windscreen made of polycarbonate materials. Terrafugia argued that if the Transition windscreens were made from the glass found on typical vehicles it would impair vision in the event of something as simple as a bird impact.
Terrafugia insists that more testing is required on the Transition before it can begin shipping the vehicle to those who are purchasing spectators. The testing will consist of intensive crash testing and other protocols to be in compliance with current safety standards. It is expected that the Transition could be out for sale as early as late this year. It can be yours with a deposit of $10,000.
I always thought that it would be more exciting to know that there are going to be cars that fly. We are one step closer to Star Trek and The Jetsons. Okay, actually closer to The Jetsons.
If this is indeed to be the bold and brave future of the automobiles, what happens to those of us who are enthusiasts? We love to spin donuts, peel out in a fit of rage after leaving our significant other’s house after an intense argument. What about V8, and 6.8 liter vehicles that can do 0-60 MPH in less than 5 seconds. What is to become of those things?
This of course is nothing to speak of when it comes to the environmental aspect. Will the Transition indeed transition us into a greener planet? Or is it just making hollow promises in hopes of appealing to a generation that is desirous of change? Stay tuned, we’ll find out… Just be careful, I hear George Jetson has sky rage!
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