Filed under: Gadgets, Hybrids/Alternative
Gridlock got you down? Put a Skycar under the Christmas tree
Always looking for that perfect Christmas gift for the person who has everything, Neiman Marcus has put the ultimate commuter vehicle in this year's catalog - the Moller M400 Skycar. The ethanol-fueled Skycar is said to be capable of speeds over 350 mph, and gets 21 mpg. The Skycar has been under development for a (very) long time, but according to NM, a "limited number" of the vertical takeoff and landing plane will be available within the next three years. Offered for sale this year is the prototype version. Considering that its first manned, un-tethered flight will only happen in the next couple of months, this has to be one of your riskier gifts. Oh, and the lucky recipient will need to get Federal Aviation Administration authorization.
How much does it cost? Let's just say, if you have to ask, you can't afford it.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Non-Bizarro Adam 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
If people can't keep in their own lane or obey stop signs, how can they be expected to obey air traffic laws? Just look at a few of the posts here:
http://www.autoblog.com/entry/1234000067060990/#comments
Now, I am a big proponent of personal freedoms, but I don't think people should have assault rifles either. Flying cars, without ridiculous levels of regulation, are nothing but a pipe dream.
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the great beyond 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
is it just me, or does that picture make the plane look like smoke is coming out and it's about to crash?
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Chris 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
I saw a documentary on that plane in the Discovery Channel.... 5 years ago.
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Matthew 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
Instead of "assault rifles", you mean guns that are 'nasty-looking' in your eyes, right?
I agree on the flying car idea and its feasibility.
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Hank 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
So let me get this straight. This gets better mpg than a Tahoe? Sweet.
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Ryan Green 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
I toyed with this plane in X-Plane (an excellent flight sim for its cost), and its surprisingly simple to fly around in. It's stable, makes a transition from regular to vertical flight easy. Its something that even a non-pilot like me would want to buy.
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Tom N 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
Yah sure it will be out in the next three years. The designer has not even flown one other than to hover it on a cable. I don't believe he will ever produce these things.
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Buckus 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
If you go back through old issues of Popular Science, you'll realize this thing has fooled them about 2 dozen times in 20+ years. That's right, this thing has been in development for over 20 years, mainly because the inventor refuses to hire more engineering resources and outside investors.
So, the "in three years" should be rephrased "when pigs fly" because I don't personally believe this thing will ever fly due to the hubris of the inventor.
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Will O'Connor 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
I'm so tired of this stupid car. Always shows up on some TV show about the future, blah blah blah. This thing will never get off the ground. If it was flight worthy we'd see some shots of it taking off and landing by now. It's not like the technology is not available yet. Maybe Burt Rutan should buy this guy out and make this thing a reality.
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Glenn 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
with all the traffic in Pennsylvania and the pisspoor drivers in this state, sign me up, I'm all for it.
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Back to the future 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
So the question I have is this..
With all the technology we have today.. WHY can't we have a flying car that just hovers off the ground maybe say 4 to 10 feet off of the ground. You wouldn't have to worry about the plane traffic above.. Remeber the film
BACK TO THE FUTURE?? I think if auto companies came up with a way to do this not only would it be inovative but fuel mileage would have to be much better.
just a thought.
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starlightmica 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
Also on Slashdot:
http://slashdot.org/articles/05/10/01/0148210.shtml?tid=105&tid=126&tid=159
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El Norte 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
Ah, yes... the ultimate in vapourware. Three years? Whatever...
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Lucas 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
Why are people calling it a Skycar? Isn't it really just a plane? I would imagine a Skycar as something being able to both drive on regular streets keeping up with traffic and be able to fly. I mean a plan can taxi on a street you really wanted to do that.
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Brian 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
This thing has been in development since the 1960s and the best it has done so far is hover a few feet off the ground with a safety cable attached. Now they are saying it will be ready within the next three years?
Sounds like investor money is running low.
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ROB KELSESKY 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
ID LIKE IT, BUT ID LIKE TO KNOW WHEN WILL YOU BRING OUT THE HOVER BOARDS ? I WANT ONE AND HOW MUCH WILL IT COST ?
PITTSBURGH, PA
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