What a way to beat the traffic! Flying car developer says he's $80 million closer to making sci-fi dream a reality

  • Moller International joins with outside firm to move production to China
  • Founder expects a working prototype by the end of 2013

By JOSHUA GARDNER

Published: | Updated:


Developers of a flying car say they're about $80 million closer to giving your morning commute a real lift.

For years, Moller International has been working on a way to make the old science fiction dream of turning tires into turboprops a reality.

Their SkyCar, designed for speeds of over 300 MPH at altitudes as high as 36,000 feet would seat four people and isn't trying to replace commercial air travel.

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Scenic drive: In this undated photo, Dr. Paul Moller stands with two prototypes of his SkyCar and his company's flying saucer, the Neuera, which he helped develop and himself piloted in the 1970s

Scenic drive: In this undated photo, Dr. Paul Moller stands with two prototypes of his SkyCar and his company's flying saucer, the Neuera, which he helped develop and himself piloted in the 1970s

Nor do they want their vehicle to cater to only the elite hobbyist. As of today, very few people have had the rare pleasure of riding in any iteration of the SkyCar.

Instead, the company intends to bring their 'vertical take off & landing (VTOL) fast, low-cost personal recreational or utility vehicle' to the masses.

Basically, an eye-catching alternative to the earthbound sports car.

Jet set: To bring flying cars to a wide market, Dr. Moller insists they must take off and land vertically, like his SkyCar, pictured here in an unmanned demo of its hovering ability

Jet set: To bring flying cars to a wide market, Dr. Moller insists they must take off and land vertically, like his SkyCar, pictured here in an unmanned demo of its hovering ability

Now, according to a Jan. 24 company statement, founder Dr. Paul Moller has persuaded a Southern California firm to offer up the hefty sum to speed his vehicles' path to the marketplace.

The joint venture with Athena Technologies, Inc. of Harbor City California, is intended to pair the 30 years of technological experience backing Moller with Athena's affordable manufacturing capabilities overseas in Chinese facilities.

And the $80 million is just the tip of the iceberg.

Flying high: Moller International has been working to bring a car/plane hybrid into reality for 30 years and the company's founder's latest attempt is the SkyCar 400, pictured here as an illustrated imagining of the car in flight

Flying high: Moller International has been working to bring a car/plane hybrid into reality for 30 years and the company's founder's latest attempt is the SkyCar 400, pictured here as an illustrated imagining of the car in flight

The companies are projecting an eventual $480 million investment into several varieties of the car-plane hybrid.

This includes the 'Neuera' vehicle, basically a flying saucer powered by high-velocity fans.

The company's website boasts the Neuera 'can operate up to 10 feet above any surface: land, water, sand, snow, swamp or grasslands...combining the capabilities of a boat, hovercraft, ATV, snowmobile or other off-road vehicle.'

But don't start shopping around for pilot gear just yet.

Production on the vehicles wouldn't begin until at least 2014 and the agreement between Moller and Athena isn't even yet official.

"The formal agreement is expected to be approved by both parties within weeks' Dr. Moller, said in a statement.

Moller expects a working test vehicle, however, by the end of 2013.

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