For years, even decades, Popular Science magazine and futurists alike have predicted we would all own and commute in flying cars.  And who, while sitting in commuter traffic, hasn’t daydreamed about the amazing day when you would be able to just fly up and over the rubber-neckers and their penchant for making you late for work?  Well, that future is finally here! Sort of.

The Terrafugia Flying Car completed it’s first flight tests just a few weeks ago.  It combines all the inconvenience of a 4 wheeled airplane (that still needs a runway) with the inconvenience of a bulky and oddly shaped car.  To put it into perspective, the car is one inch narrower and 37 inches longer than an H2 Hummer.  When on the ground the vehicle isn’t powered by the rear facing prop.  I guess that puts the kibosh on me living out those fantasies of slicing and dicing random pedestrians.  Instead, the power from it’s 100hp Rotax engine is directed through the front wheels.

At the push of a button, the wings can unfurl in less than 30 seconds and the power is transitioned from the front wheels to the prop.  Now you are ready to fly!  …if you are properly licensed to do so and happen to be on a runway.  In the air, the car can cruise at 115mph.

One of the great things about having an airplane that you can fold up and drive home is that you don’t need to rent hangar space at the local airport anymore.  It fits right into your rich guy garage!

As a car guy, I can’t get past the fact that the front wheels don’t match the rear.  But all in all, if you only have $190k to spare, and you NEED both a plane AND a car, the Terrafugia might be right for you!

For more info on the Terrafugia car, visit their site.  They are taking $10k deposits if you are interested.