Flying car to be sold in UK within six years - but it will cost you £200,000

The prospect of Jetsons-style flying cars in our skies moved a step closer with the announcement by Terrafugia that its new TF-X four-seater, unveiled in 2013, could go on sale by as early as 2021.

Terrafugia's earlier Transition car-plane made a successful maiden flight in 2012. Powered by a 99bhp Rotax aircraft engine, it had a cruising speed of 100mph and a claimed 35mpg on the road.

By contrast, the TF-X features a plug-in hybrid powertrain which powers the wheels in car mode and two electrically-driven rotors in flight. No runway is needed as it can take off and land vertically. Claimed air range is 500 miles, 90 more than that of the Transition.

The makers also say that the TF-X can autonomously avoid other air traffic, bad weather and restricted air space and find its own way to a pre-specified landing zone, although the driver must approve the final landing. There are manual controls and overrides and a full-vehicle parachute system.

Terrafugia quotes five hours for learning to drive the TF-X, which fits into a standard single-car garage, and says that its final design "should be statistically safer than driving a modern automobile".

Pricing will be set to compete against luxury cars. The Transition currently costs $279,000 (about £180,000), so expect a starting price of over £200,000 for the TF-X.

Source: Flying car to be sold in UK within six years - but it will cost you £200,000