NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Terrafugia Transition flying car

The launch of the Terrafugia Transition flying car was a very low key affair at the 2012 New York Motor Show, but it could herald the beginning of a new era of flying cars.

Measuring six metres long, the flying car is about a metre longer than a Holden Caprice, and at two metres wide it won't be easy to park, but the idea is compelling, particularly for a country like Australia.

Richard Gersh, the VP of Business Development at Terragfugia, told motoring.com.au that the vehicle is indeed going global and that two Australian orders for the almost $300,000 flying car had already been received.

"I've met both buyers," said Gersh. "They've been over and one of them has a landing strip right next to his house.

"I've never been to Australia, but I understand it's a very large country. [With] long distances between cities, this is perfect. And that's the demographic. Both are business people, because traditionally purchasers tend to be business owners, entrepreneurs and people who love to fly."

Power for the rear-wheel drive flying car comes from a 73kW Rotax 912ULS engine, and it is aimed at people who want to park the street-legal car in a garage and avoid hefty hangar rental fees.

The Terrafugia Transition has a maximum speed of 100 knots (185km/h) and cruises at 93 knots (172km/h), tipping the scales at 440kg unladen, or less than a quarter the weight of most large cars. It can carry a 210kg load for a gross takeoff weight of 650kg.

The automated electromechanical wings fold up at the touch of a button, hugging the Terrafugia Transition's fuselage in car mode. This makes for a 2.3 metre width, but after folding out in around 30 seconds - as we witnessed in New York - wingspan extends to eight metres.

"Our primary market is the United States," added Gersh, who said that around 90 per cent of the 100 or so orders are from US pilots -- owners will need both a driver's licence and a pilot's licence.

Though official production of the Terrafugia Transition flying car has not yet begun, the vehicle is street legal in the USA and has successfully completed its first eight minute test flight. It needs slightly more than 500 metres of clear road/runway to take off, and has a cruising range of just under 800 kilometres.

Fitted with four wheels, the flying car has room for two occupants, their golf clubs and carry-on luggage. It's designed to fly at lower altitudes, and during its inaugural test was cruising at 1400 feet (426 metres).

It also comes with an optional parachute. Because there are somethings an airbag was just never designed to do...

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...