Moller International has invested $200 million over 40 years to develop flying cars, but only prototypes have been made. The M400X skycar is expected to go into production in 2009, but previous promises were not kept. The M200G “flying saucer” is in production and could cost less than $100,000, but only hovers about ten feet off the ground. The M400X’s specifications include a max speed of 375MPH, cruising speed of 275MPH, and range of 750 miles. It remains to be seen if the M400X will reach production.
Inventors have attempted to develop flying cars since about 1965, but to date with little success. The closest anyone has ever come to is Moller International, but its prototypes thus far haven’t done much more than hover. This is despite an estimated investment of $200 million dollars and 40 years in the making. However, Moller is accepting deposits for its M400X skycar, which will cost between $500,000 and $1 million US dollars (USD) depending on the delivery location. The skycar is expected to go into production around 2009, but several promises have been made in the past to this effect and the skycar has never been put into production.
Moller has put its M200G “flying saucer” into production, which could cost less than $100,000 USD. However, this isn’t a flying car per se, as it only hovers about ten feet off the ground. However, if it can be used in everyday contexts, it could become quite popular. Like the M400X skycar, the M200G is a VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) aircraft, “capable of flying quickly, nimbly and agilely”. Dr. Paul Moller, founder of the company, calls these handcrafted “steering wheels”. Prototype flying saucers, no bigger than a small truck, have been built since the 1960s, but studies have usually determined they’re more expensive than they’re worth.
Fueled by alcohol and powered by economical Rotapower engines with few moving parts, if the M400X does indeed launch, it will have the potential to transform transports. Even if the M400X is further delayed, it’s only a matter of time before some company successfully develops the flying car concept. On Moller’s website, the M400X’s specifications are advertised as follows:
Passengers: 4
Max Speed: 375MPH
Cruising Speed (20,000 Feet): 275 MPH
Range: 750 miles
Size: large car
Best Mileage: Approx. 20MPG
Payload: 750 lbs
It can hover with a failed engine
Time will tell if the M400X reaches production. But if it does, what a result!
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