Flying Car Gets New Design

The builder of the new flying car, Terrafugia, unveiled the latest version of its “roadable aircraft” at EAA’s Oshkosh convention.

The new design includes several structural changes aimed at improving the roadable aircraft’s safety and flying characteristics, a spokesman said.

Terrafugia said it expects to fly the new version to next year’s convention in Oshkosh. The new design includes several performance improvements according to the company.

The new design loses the small canard wing at the front and sports a revised wing. And area between the fuselage and the tail is now open, allowing for a larger propeller.

Powered by a 100-horsepower, four-cylinder aircraft engine, the new Transition design is a rear-wheel drive car that will meet all of the federal highway safety regulations for a sport utility vehicle, the company said.

Terrafugia says it will have a flying cruise speed of 105 mph and a range of nearly 500 miles before needing to land and drive to a gas station.