Techtalk

For decades, the idea of the flying car has captured the public’s imagination and it’s no different today. With ever-more congested roads, the appeal of the concept is at an all-time high and hybrid technology may just be the enabler to get us a step closer. American aviation company Terrafugia was founded in 2006 and was recently purchased by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co (the owner of Volvo). It announced its Transition two-seater flying hybrid car will go on sale later this year. The Transition is powered by a 75 kw Rotax four-cylinder engine when in flight mode, with a top speed of 160 km/h and a range of over 600 km. Its party trick is that the wings fold up when it lands and it transforms into a car with electric motors driving the wheels. Because of the limited visibility, there are three external cameras. Little info is available about its road performance except the vehicle can be driven to your home from the airport and be fuelled at a normal fuel station for its next flight. It would require both a pilot’s and driver’s licence to operate and no word on the price yet…