British Adventurer Takes To The Skies - In His Car

via Gizmodo UK


http://uk.gizmodo.com/skycar%201.jpg

There's a novel new way to dodge traffic jams and all you need is a flying car or, in this case, a flying buggy.

Starting on Weds from London, risk-taking Neil Laughton will set out to travel to Timbuktu in an experimental buggy [for charity] that can take to the skies when the terrain demands. The trip will zip through Western Europe, North Africa and he plans to fly the Skycar through the Pyrenees, over the Straits of Gibraltar and the Moroccan Atlas mountains on the way. The Skycar is being claimed as the first road legal biofuelled flying car.

The buggy, capable of a fast 0-60mph in under 5 seconds on the ground, has a top speed of 100mph and to get it off the ground, it's been fitted with a nylon "ParaWing" that can be fitted and deployed in a few minutes.

The giant fan on the back helps it get off the ground when the buggy hits 45mph and it can soar at speeds of up to 70mph at altitudes between 3,000 and a very cold 15,000ft.

If successful, the £250,000 prototype buggy will be recreated in a commercial form for sale to the public at the bargain price of around £50,000.

However, attempting to dodge jams on the M1 will most likely get you arrested. If they can catch you, that is.