The Parajet Skycar, a biodiesel-powered, all-terrain dune buggy, doubles as a powered paraglider. It will be "the world's first carbon neutral flying car," according to the company.
The Skycar Expedition team installed a biodiesel-modified Yamaha R1 1000cc motorcycle engine in it and now plans to travel in the Parajet Skycar from London to Timbouctou in 2009.
"Using cutting edge technology a leading UK chemical engineer has succeeded in converting organic waste from landfill sites into synthetic Bio-fuel. This revolutionary process creates fuels with a zero carbon footprint," the project site says.
They say you can achieve flight in about three minutes.
"One pilot and one passenger will travel side by side and in 'road mode' the car will accelerate 0-100 kmph in 4.5 seconds, have a top speed of 180 kmph and a range of 400 km," Skycar explains. "In 'fly mode' the Parajet Skycar will have a take-off speed of 60 kmph, a top speed of 110 kmph and a range of 300 km. Cruising altitude will be 2000 â€" 3000 ft with a maximum altitude of 15,000 ft. Conversion from 'road mode' to 'fly mode' and visa-versa will take just three minutes."
The really cool thing is that you won't need a pilot's license to fly it.
Carbon Neutral Flying Cars
The Parajet Skycar
Trend Themes
1. Carbon Neutral Flying Cars - The Parajet Skycar is setting a trend for eco-friendly flying cars, offering disruptive innovation opportunities in the transportation industry.
2. Biodiesel-powered Vehicles - The use of biodiesel in the Parajet Skycar highlights the trend towards sustainable fuel alternatives, creating opportunities for disruption in the energy industry.
3. Multi-functional Vehicles - The Parajet Skycar's ability to transform from a car to a flying vehicle showcases the trend of multi-functional transportation, presenting opportunities for disruptive innovation in the automotive industry.
Industry Implications
1. Transportation - The carbon neutral flying car trend has the potential to disrupt the transportation industry by revolutionizing personal and commercial travel.
2. Energy - The adoption of biodiesel in vehicles like the Parajet Skycar presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the energy industry by promoting sustainable fuel alternatives.
3. Automotive - The trend of multi-functional vehicles, exemplified by the Parajet Skycar, offers opportunities for disruptive innovation in the automotive industry by merging ground and air travel capabilities.