Terrafugia will Deliver Their First Flying Car in 2019

Woburn, MA based Terrafugia announced in a press release today that they would manufacture the first Transition Flying Car that will be sold to customers in 2019, and that the flying car would include new features that have not been previously disclosed by the company.

“Developing this new technology has allowed us to test several different mechanisms and generate process improvements along the way,” said Terrafugia CEO Chris Jaran. “We are at the critical point where we can implement the best design features based on years of flight and drive testing. This will improve function, safety and aesthetics for the optimal flying and driving experience.”

The features include:

• Hybrid-Electric Motor – The Transition® will now drive in hybrid mode, using a combination of an internal combustion engine and a LiFePO4 (Lithium iron phosphate chemistry) battery – proven to be much safer than other lithium battery chemistries.
• Boost – The throttle incorporates a boost feature for a brief burst of extra power while flying.
• Interior – The interior is remodeled with upgraded seats, an attractive and intuitive user interface experience, and increased luggage capacity.
• Safety – Updated safety systems include: improved seat belts, airbags, and increased visibility with three rearview cameras in drive mode.
• Partners – Terrafugia is partnering with state-of-the-art suppliers for avionics and parachutes. Dynon is providing the EFIS (Electrical Flight Information Systems) and BRS is providing a full frame parachute system.

These features will all be certifiable under both the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and NHTSA (National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration) standards to ensure safety in flight and on the ground.

Why it’s important: While Terrafugia has announced and targeted earlier dates for deployment of their product in the past, this announcement comes ahead of EAA Airventure and other high-profile events that provide showcasing opportunities for new products. Terrafugia’s backing from Geely Holdings also should provide more emphasis on delivering on their 2019 target.

Learn more about the Terrafugia Transition here.

Source

• Terrafugia Press Release