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BMW-Powered AirCar Completes First Inter-City Flight In Slovakia [motor1.com]:

Unlike other flying cars we've seen before, the AirCar is a dual-mode car-aircraft vehicle that can transform from a car to an airplane in under three minutes. Its wings and tail can be deployed/retracted, therefore completely transforming the vehicle from a four-wheeled "sports car" to a full-blown aircraft. However, the AirCar isn't ready for your garage just yet as it still needs a runway to take flight.

There are two prototypes of the AirCar. Running using regular pump fuel, the Prototype 1 is powered by a 160-horsepower BMW [motor1.com] engine fixed-propeller and a ballistic parachute. It has completed over 40 hours of test flights under the supervision of the Civil Aviation Authority. It has already flown up to 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) and reached a maximum cruising speed of 118 miles per hour (190 km/h).

The second prototype, the Prototype 2, is more powerful. With a 300-hp engine in its heart, is has received the EASA CS-23 aircraft certification with an M1 road permit. It has a variable pitch propeller and expected to have a cruising speed of 186 mph (300 km/h) with a range of 621 mi (1,000 km).

There isn't any announced date for a production version of the AirCar but with the development milestone you've witnessed above, we can expect it soon.

Got a tip for us? Email: tips@motor1.com [mailto]

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