#airplane

Maybe you remember Terrafugia, the company that brought a flying car to the 2012 New York Auto Show’s hallway.

VTEC must have really kicked in because Honda is taking to the skies. The Japanese automaker known for its cars, motorcycles and power equipment just began commercial production of aircraft.

The Terrafugia Transition has been a work in progress since 2006, but will finally show off its unique design at the 2012 New York Auto Show. 

The Transition is being called the first practical street-legal airplane by the company, and will no doubt garner some attention when it hits the show floor. The car has folding wings and a full propeller drive system that allows it to take flight as well as drive on the street.

Terrafugia will need to impress the right people, as the Transition is estimated to cost $279,000.

For that price, the eccentric consumer gets a small airplane that fits in a single-car garage. The Transition also runs off super unleaded gas instead of airplane fuel and is able to drive safely on the road, according to the company.

The same 100-hp engine capable of spinning the rear-mounted propeller or powering the wheels on the ground, both via a continuously variable transmission.

Terrafugia’s video explains most aspects of the car in detail. You can watch it below.