The Switchblade is a three-wheel vehicle, created by Oregon-based Samson Motors.
The car has two seats, and on the ground is 5.1 metres tall.
However it likewise has extendable wings and a retractable tail that fold out, pointing the car’s length to 6.2 metres, indicating it can be used both on the road and in the sky.
On the ground, the Switchblade’s top speed is 100mph (160 km/hour), where as in the sky it can reach speeds of 200mph (320 km/hour).
Contrary to vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicles, this vehicle cannot departure from the road, and will have to be flown from regular airports.
A representative for Samson stated: “You can drive the Switchblade to any public airport to take off, and may land at the same, or any other, public airport.”
“You can also take off and land from any private airport where you have advantages,” the representative added.
In terms of engine, the Switchblade is supported by a 190bhp liquid-cooled 1.6-litre V4 engine, which provides the car a range of about 450 miles from the 113-litre fuel tank.
And while the existing version uses unleaded petrol, Samson is looking ahead to other choices.
The Samson representative added: “We have already completed layouts for both hybrid, and electric drive systems pending on a proper battery solution.”
The vehicle is kitted out with a range of functions, consisting of a stereo, reversing camera and a digital instrument display.
Numerous security functions are likewise included, such as a parachute for the entire car, rollover defense and crumple zones in the front and rear.
Three versions of the car exist– the Snowbird, for colder environments, the Trek, developed for heavy-duty landing, and the Aurora, which integrates the Snowbird and Trek.
Samson states that rates will begin at around $120,000.
But it isn’t really as simple as buying the automobile and setting off on a trip.
A private pilot’s licence is needed to fly it, and a complete driving licence is required to run it on the roads.
