It's 50 years since the Jetsons first predicted we'd be flying the family about in airborne cars. And now we are finally standing on the cusp of that long-awaited milestone, as the world's first flying motorcycle goes on sale. The Pal-V One Helicycle is a two-seat hybrid car and gyrocopter that has the potential for making rush-hour delays a thing of the past. Scroll down for video +8 The Pal-V One - a three-wheeled motorcyle that transforms into a gyrocopter at the flick of a switch - is now on sale for $295,000 (£180,000). It takes 10 minutes to switch between modes and can go from 0 to 60 in the air in under 8 seconds +8 Luxury gadgets site Hammacher Schlemmer is marketing the Helicycle for 'just' $395,000 - a bargain... It is road - and air - legal and now, two years after its maiden flight, it is finally available to buy - if you have a spare $395,999 (£230,000) that is. The Dutch-built Pal-V One can reach speeds of up to 112mph and goes from 0 to 60 in under 8 seconds when driven on the road. THE PAL-V ONE SPECIFICATIONS The two-seater vehicle converts from a three-wheeled motorcycle to a gyrocopter in 10 minutes. It has 230hp, four-cylinder engine and reaches speeds of up 112 mph in the air or on the road. The helicycle goes from 0 to 60 mph in under eight seconds. The gyrocopter is designed to cruise at low altitudes (below 4,000ft) and it requires a 540ft runway for take-offs. For landing, the vehicle needs just 100 ft. The 27-gallon gas tank provides a 220-mile flight range (750 miles on the road). It is made from carbon fiber, titanium, and aluminum and weighs 1,499lbs. Owners must have a Sports Pilot Certificate to fly the vehicle. Owners will need a Sports Pilot Certificate to fly one. The two-seater vehicle can be bought through luxury gadget retailer Hammacher Schemmler which advertises it under name The Helicycle, yet its design and specifications are identical to the Pal-V One's. Despite its helicopter-like appearance, like many flying car prototypes, including the TF-X from Austin-based Terrafugia, the Pal-V needs a 540ft runway in order to take-off. When in flight mode, the vehicle looks like a helicopter, however, it is known as a gyrocopter or autogyro because the main power comes from the rotors at the rear of the vehicle. Its rotors spin considerably slower than a helicopter's blades, too, and can't stall. On the ground, the machine handles somewhere between a motorbike and a racing car - its chassis is built to lean into turns, and the two-seater can reach speeds of up to 112mph. Unlike most fictional flying cars, of course, it can't just extend its rotors then hurtle skywards - the process takes about ten minutes. PAL-V Ultimate Freedom car-plane The Pal-V One, pictrured, needs a 540ft runway in order to take-off. When in flight mode, the vehicle looks like a helicopter, however, it is known as a gyrocopter or autogyro because the main power comes from the rotors at the rear of the vehicle Once the engine stops, the propeller folds itself automatically into the driving position. Pushing a button then lowers the rotor mast into the horizontal position. Rotor blades and tail have to be stowed away by the driver. 'On the ground the vehicle drives like a sports car,' said Pal-V. 'Within minutes its rotor is unfolded and its tail is extended: then it is ready to take off thanks to the advanced gyrocopter technology.' +8 The gyrocopter, pictured, is designed to cruise at low altitudes, below 4,000ft. Although it needs a 540ft runway for take-off, it only needs 100ft to land +8 The 27-gallon gas tank in the Pal-V One, pictured, provides a 220-mile flight range or 750 miles on the road. It is made from carbon fiber, titanium, and aluminum and weighs 1,499lbs +8 +8 The Pal-V One is on sale from retailer Hammacher Schemmler under the name The Helicycle - but the specifications are the same. It can reach speeds of up to 112 mph and tilts like a motorcycle when turning corners, left. The helicycle goes from 0 to 60 mph in under eight seconds on the road, as well 'With these successful test results it is proven that it is not only possible to build a flying car but also that it can be done within existing international rules for both flying and driving.' The Pal-V One features a 230hp, four-cylinder engine powered by petrol. Its 27 gallon tank means pilots can fly for up to 220 miles at low altitudes - around 4,000ft - or drive for up 750 miles. It is made of carbon fiber, titanium, and aluminum and weighs 1,500lbs. +8 The Pal-V One completed its maiden voyage just 18 months ago. It is available in red, pictured, or black +8 To drive and fly the Pal-V One, pictured, owners must have a driving license and a Sports Pilot Certificate Bike to the future! Slick electric motorcycle cruises 125 miles on just one charge -
Electric bike has an almost-silent motor integrated into the rear wheel -
Tiny motor provides 14hp and a top speed of 74mph
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Side mirrors have integrated displays showing bike’s speed and range The uptake of electric vehicles is usually limited by how far they can travel on a single charge, with experts even coining a new term to describe the feeling of uncertainty over whether you have enough power to reach your destination; 'range anxiety'. Now one Austrian company is hoping to tackle the problem with the introduction of the Johammer J1 - an electric bike that can travel 125 miles (200km) on a single charge. Scroll down for video... +7 One Austrian company is hoping to tackle range anxiety with the introduction of the Johammer J1 - an electric bike that can travel 125 miles on a single charge Created by Bad Leonfelden-based group Johammer, the electric bike has an almost silent motor integrated into the rear wheel. The 11 kilowatt hub-mounted motor provides 14 horsepower and a top speed of 74mph (119kph). +7 The stiff middle-frame of the electric bike is made from aluminium and has been designed to contain the battery pack Electric hub-mounted motors contain the electric motor within the wheel hub, or central part of the wheel. To drive the wheel, the motor contains a coil which generates an electromagnetic field as power flows through it. The field attracts the outer part of the motor, which attempts to follow its direction, and in doing so turns the connected wheel. The hub motors eliminates the need for a heavy transmission, gear train, and axles which reduces the weight, making the electric bike far more efficient. In place of traditional gauges, the side mirrors have high-resolution displays that show information on the bike’s speed and range. +7 Electric hub-mounted motors contain the electric motor within the wheel hub, or central part of the wheel. The motor is shown here on the rear wheel +7 Created by Bad Leonfelden-based group Johammer, the electric bike has an almost-silent motor integrated into the rear wheel +7 A close-up of the front wheel on the bike. The company claims the design provides a safe driving experience. 'Steering and footpeg allow for individual adaptation,' it said JOHAMMER J1 SPECIFICATIONS J1.150 Price: £19,000 ($31,600) Range: 93 miles, speed: 75mph Battery capacity: 8,3 kWh Charge time: 80 per cent in 2.5 hours J1.200 Price: £20,600 ($34,500) Reach: 125 miles, speed: 75mph Battery capacity: 12.7 kWh Charging time: 80 per cent in 3.5 hours ‘The extreme torsion stiff middle-frame made from aluminium provides space for spring damper and battery pack,’ the group writes on their website. ‘Perfectly balanced (at 350mm mass centre height) the Johammer offers an unmatched and safe driving experience. Steering and footpeg allow for individual adaptation.’ The bike, which can be purchased from the Johammer, currently comes in silver, white, blue, yellow and green options. The J1.150 will set you back £19,000 ($31,600) while the J1.200 will hit your wallet a bit harder at £20,600 ($34,500) in exchange for a bigger battery and longer range. +7 The bike, which can be purchased from the Johammer, currently comes in silver, white, blue, yellow and green options To drive the wheel, the motor (shown on the rear wheel) contains a coil which generates an electromagnetic field as power flows through it. The field attracts the outer part of the motor, which attempts to follow its direction, and in doing so turns the connected wheel +7 In place of traditional gauges, the side mirrors have high-resolution displays that show information on the bike's speed and range |
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