Do you remember the name Pal-V? Well, if you don’t, the brand has debuted two different flying car concepts, one in 2009 and one in 2012. Both of which have been put through rigorous testing and led the way to the brand’s first official production models that will be known as the Liberty Pioneer and the Liberty Sport. What’s more, the Dutch company has officially opened its order books, and you can get your hands on one for just shy of $400,000. That’s more than models like the Rolls-Royce Dawn and the Bentley Continental GT, but that’s okay because the Pal-V can actually fly!
According to Pal-V, both models – the entry-level Liberty Sport and highly personalized Pioneer Edition – are both fully compliant with the various safety standards and regulations set forth by global governing agencies. That means that this baby should be legal to fly just about anywhere as long as you have the proper credentials and a flight plan in place. The first 90 models will be sold as Pioneer Editions at $599,000. For that kind of money, you get personalized touches here and there to go with extra features like power heating, for example. Once the initial run of 90 Pioneer editions are sold out, Pal-V will start producing and selling the entry-level Liberty Sport model and $399,000.
According to the company, “Pal-V deliberately chose to engineer, design and build a flying car with proven technologies and fully compliant with existing regulation. This leads to a first product delivery date that is realistic and imminent.” Pal-V expects North America to be a major market for its flying car.”
Those looking to enjoy the ability to fly and drive all in one model will need a driver’s license and a flying license, but outside of some special training and the big check you have to write, that’s all you need to take the world’s first production flying car for a spin.
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Why it Matters
Since we’re talking about a flying car here, it should be no surprise that there are two different modes and a whole handful of specs to let soak into your brain. In Drive Mode, the engine produces a total output of 100 horsepower and can hit 62 mph in less than nine seconds. Top speed is 99.41 mph, and fuel economy is rated at 30.95 mpg – not too shabby. In flight mode, the engine delivers 200 horsepower and consumes 6.86 gallons of fuel per hour. At the maximum take-off weight, and saving enough fuel for about 62 miles worth of driving, it can travel up to 248 miles. With one person in tow and the same reserve, that range is increased to as much as 310 miles. Maximum altitude is rated at 3,500 meters or 10,500 feet. Minimum in-flight speed is just over 31 mph while maximum speed is 111 mph.
It almost sounds too good to be true, but white as rain, there’s officially a flying car on the market. Sure it might have a pretty high price tag, but what other option do you have? It seems well worth it to me, and if I happened to have an extra $600,000 sitting around, I just might find myself adding my name to those order books.
What do you think about the world’s first flying car? Will it always be a novelty, or is this just the tip of a large iceberg? Let us know in the comments section below.