Jalopnik: moller

Moller Planning Flying Ferrari 599 GTB For Russian Businessman

Mark Arnold — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:20:00 EDT

We love flying cars, and apparently so does a Russian businessman who contracted Moller to design a flying car based on the Ferrari 599 GTB. Moller is the leading authority on flying "cars", but as far as we can tell this is the first time they're seriously designing a flying machine based on an existing automobile. They call it the Autovolanter — catchy eh? To catch you up on their previous creations, there's the Moller M200 flying saucer, and the M400 Sky Car which has graced the covers of many a buff book over the 200 years it's been in development. Despite being the best in the flying car business, Moller never really got either of those to work out. We hope things are different with this flying Ferrari, but it's not too promising thus far.

The picture you see above is indeed an official image from Moller, but it's just a photoshop-composite of a toy scale model that's been altered as an approximate guess of what the final product might look like. Even the silver car in the wind tunnel looks like a pretty rough guesstimation of the final shape. From what we can see so far, it looks like if the Autovolanter ever does get made, it will hardly have any resemblance to the original Ferrari. So what's the point? After all, if you're going to make an Italian supercar into a flying machine with giant wings, why not start with a Lamborghini? [via Autoblog, TopGear]

Moller Expresses "Substantial Doubt" About Flying Car Future

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:30:00 EST

Oh Noes! Our dreams of owning a Moller M400 flying car may be in jeopardy. The company's deficit climbed to $40.6 million in the third quarter of 2007, with a quarterly loss of $81,071. Execs at the company say that a lot of capital is required of to continue the quest for the vehicle and that they have "substantial doubt" regarding the possibility of operations continuing. Shares of the company dropped to $0.81 with 1,700 shares being passed around. This is what happens when you fly to close to the sun...

Mainstream Media Finds Flying Car, We'll Pretend To Be Surprised

Ray Wert — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT

Oh look, Good Morning America found our post from a month ago on the flying ~~UFO~~ Moller M200 Volantor this morning. Ah, good ol' mainstream media — we can always count on them to get the story — sooner or later.

World's First Flying Car Enters Production

Wes Siler — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:59:00 EDT

In a moment we've been waiting for since the first time we saw The Jetsons, the first flying car has finally gone on sale. Just like the car George uses to drop off the kids, the Moller M200G Volantor is shaped like a saucer. To avoid the need to pass FAA regulations, the civilian version of the Volantor is restricted to heights of 10 feet, but can travel as fast as 50mph and fly for up to 90minutes. Military or rescue versions could be unencumbered by such limitations. Depending on the number of orders, prices could be as low as $90,000. Video of the Volantor in action after the jump.

Moller, better known for the yet-to-reach-production Skycar, have already started work on the 67 orders received so far. They envision uses including extreme off roading - the Volantor is unencumbered by any ground-based obstacles - or as a ferry between a yacht and the land. In the long run, they'd like to see the vehicle used as the ultimate congestion busting commuter. Maximum payload is 250 pounds, so you'll need to buy one for each adult member of the family.

The company is actively seeking military or government clients, who they suggest could use the vehicle for anything from skyscraper rescues to fire fighting.

MOLLER INTERNATIONAL LAUNCHES PRODUCTION OF JETSONS-LIKE GROUND-EFFECT VEHICLE Davis, CA, [June 28, 2007]—Moller International (OTCBB: MLER) has completed tooling and has begun producing parts for its Jetsons-like M200G volantor, a small airborne two passenger saucer-shaped vehicle that is designed to take-off and land vertically (see www.moller.com).
The M200G is the size of a small automobile and is powered by eight of the Company's Rotapower® rotary engines. This vehicle is intended for operation continuously in "ground effect" up to approximately 10 feet altitude.

Dr. Moller calls the M200G, "the ultimate off-road vehicle" able to travel over any surface. "It's not a hovercraft, although its operation is just as easy. You can speed over rocks, swampland, fences, or log infested waterways with ease because you're not limited by the surface. The electronics keep the craft stabilized at no more than 10 feet altitude, which places the craft within ground effect where extra lift is obtained from operating near the ground. This lets you glide over terrain at 50 mph that would stop most other vehicles" he continued. While the Company does not foresee the requirement for significant training or licensing to operate the vehicle, it is prepared to offer demonstration sessions in Davis, California once the vehicle is ready for market.

Production on the initial six airframes started earlier this week using hard-tooled molds with the capability of producing one fuselage per day.

Depending upon engine production volume the M200G price could start as low as $90,000. The key component in determining the M200G production price is the cost of its Rotapower® engines. The Company is working with a strategic partner to produce this engine for a number of different applications in order to obtain the cost benefits of high volume production. Persons interested in purchasing a M200G volantor may reserve a delivery position by making a refundable escrowed deposit.

[via Moller International]