The Milner AirCar has four seats, four doors and four wheels in "ground mode" but in a matter of seconds its giant wings fold out to reveal a pair of propeller engines. In air mode the diesel-powered plane will be able to cruise at speeds of 200mph - at 25,000 feet. To switch back from plane to car, the wings simply fold inwards, the rear wheels pivot forwards to give extra ground clearance and the front wheels pivot downward to keep the vehicle level. The Milner AirCar designed by designers Milner Motors is about the same size as a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic. It is powered by a separate 40 horsepower diesel engine, allowing it to hit a top speed of 85mph. Inside, the AirCar has two flat-panel computer displays showing the appropriate information for air mode and for ground mode. The driver will steer both the plane and the car using a traditional steering wheel.
In the air, the Milner AirCar will be powered by two,160 brake horsepower ducted fan engines and will have a range of up to 1,000 miles before needing to re-fuel. Back on the ground, designers Milner Motors say the main 28ft-wide wing folds away across the rear of the vehicle, while the smaller canard wing folds into the front.
Co-designer Chris Milner came up with the idea with his father James, who he says has always wanted to create a flying car. The father-and-son team, from Vancouver, Canada, says they have already built a fully drivable prototype of the AirCar but are still working on a flying version. They predict that an Milner AirCar r will cost around $450,000. It will be unveiled at the New York International Auto Show, which runs between March 21 and March 30.
Milner Motors was founded in 2005 to develop innovative transportation solutions. Based in Vancouver, Washington and Bethesda, Maryland, they believe that a truly clean-sheet approach to vehicle design can produce commercially viable vehicles that respond to today's environmental and energy needs in a way never before possible.
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