Autoblog

Click above for high-res gallery of the flying car from Milner

Our environmentally-attuned brethren at AutoblogGreen pointed us into the lower hall of the Javits Center to check out something they knew we'd love. After wading through the trucks and specialty makers on hand, we reached the Milner Motors booth. To one side was the Milner Motors ElectriCar. Across from it was the Milner Motors AirCar, which was what we came to see. Essentially the same as its electric vehicle, the flying car adds a set of wings and twin engine nacelles that theoretically supply enough thrust and lift for 1,000 miles of flight at 200 MPH. When earthbound, the wing package folds up and the car's 40-hp electric motor powers it up to 85 mph thanks to its light weight and great aerodynamics (the cd is only .209). This particular one is a non-functioning prototype, but we think we'll toss it off the roof of the Empire State building to test its glide prowess. We can only guess how much fun this thing might be if we could figure out a way to use those jet engines and their extra 300 hp to power this 1,800 lb. missle on the ground.

Click above for high resolution photos of the car

We doubt Danny Panoz envisioned anyone attaching wings to an Esperante, let alone actually flying one. Of course, throw Jesse James of West Coast Choppers into the equation and anything can happen. This 2004 Panoz Esperante actually took flight on an episode of Monster Garage, making it off the ground for 280 feet before touching down safely. The interior has been stripped to make room for a full roll cage, a propeller is mounted in the trunk, and the 36' wings are handmade.

The final bid of $45,000 ($54,000 after auction fees) wasn't too high, although the Monster Garage cars haven't been commanding high numbers. We can't imagine what exactly you would want to do with this vehicle, so it's no surprise that bidding didn't come close to six figures.

The flying car is the equivalent of transportation's carrot on a stick. It's a concept that always seems to be 3-5 years down the road. According to an Isreali inventor named Rafi Yoeli, the flying car will actually be here by 2010 in the form of his X-Hawk. The X-Hawk uses a ducted fan design that allows it to have the same manueverability of a helicopter without exposed blades that prevent choppers from hovering near buildings and the like. Yoeli's own company, Urban Aeronautics, is developing the X-Hawk first as a workhorse vehicle that could be used by firefighters, rescue teams, and the military to aid in the recovery of people stranded in hard to reach places.

Like a helicopter, the X-Hawk can take off and land vertically, it will be able to fly up to 155 mph, reach an altitude of 12,000 ft and remain in the air for two hours. The size of the X-Hawks rotors, which are powere by four internal combustion engines, will be much smaller than a helicopters, which will make the vehicle quieter but also guzzle 50% more fuel. The X-Hawk only exists as a full-scale mockup right now, but Yoeli expects an unmanned Mule version to fly in 2009. A larger version capable of carrying ten people is also planned. The estimated price for an X-Hawk will make a Veyron owner blush: between $1.5 and $3.5 million, and Yoeli admits those estimates might be low.

At this point, we're prepared to pony up whatever cash is necessary to make the most famous example of automotive vaporware a reality. Check out more details on the X-Hawk after the jump.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Related posts:
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LaBische FSC-1TM could be the flying car we're waiting for
The Hammerhead: Is this the flying car we've been waiting for?
Alfa Romeo Spix flying concept car
NASA funds Flying Car competition

The Moller SkyCar. The Terrafugia. The Alfa Romeo Spix flying concept car. All three of these winged machina have been dangled in our faces like a carrot at the end of an impossibly long stick. Jeff Allen Case is hoping he'll be the first to deliver on the promise of flying cars with his Hammerhead prototype. He's a few steps behind the Moller SkyCar and Terrafugia, having only a couple renderings of the Hammerhead and a spec sheet that exists on paper only. The Hammerhead has a three-fan configuration with two forward fans that tilt for both lift and thrust. Though we weren't told what engine would power the Hammerhead, Case says he expects a top speed of 250 mph at 8,000 ft. with a range of 300 miles. It both takes off and lands vertically, and Case claims the vehicle is characterized by being lightweight, easy to operate, safe and fast. The renderings show a one-seater cockpit, but the production version would seat two in tandem. Of course, a production version is the next step that the Hammerhead won't reach until Case finds some funding. He's hoping Jay-Z or P. Diddy might be interested in supplying the Benjamins needed to put the Hammerhead in production, but we suggest he go for that second mortgage and enter his design in NASA's Personal Air Vehicle Challenge. Perhaps he can catch the attention of some deep pockets at DARPA.

Follow the jump for an additional high resolution shot of the Hammerhead.

[Source: Jeff Allen Case]

We swear to all that is good and holy that we will not leave the mortal shackles of this terrestrial plane until we see flying cars become a reality. Perhaps the LaBische FSC-1TM will be the flying car that allows us to die in peace. If so, by the time we expire the skies will be filled with the FSC-1TM that features wings and a rear propeller that both fold up and disappear inside the car when driving on the street. When airborne the craft can reach speeds up to 275 mph, a figure based on calculations garnered from scale model prototypes being tested by LaBische. While we were hoping flying cars of the future would be powered by scramjet technology, if it's got to be prop-driven, then so be it. While a full-scale functioning prototype of the FSC-1TM has yet to be produced, the company is accepting deposits for build-it-yourself kits that will set you back $175,000 upon delivery. Upon delivery... we're waiting.

[Source: LaBische via Engadget]