#pal-v

PAL-V is teasing its first production-ready flying car, the Liberty. 

Riding on the heels of April 1, better known as April Fool’s Day, it’s harder than steel to believe that the PAL-V Flying Car is more than an elaborate hoax, but against our better judgement it seems like it might be real.

Based on the detail-rich site and video footage, we’re reluctantly ready to say that the outlandish three-wheel helicopter-mobile you see above might actually be more than a joke. Still, don’t expect a first drive or review any time soon. The PAL-V Flying Car functions as both a road vehicle and a helicopter which would make licensing complicated and ownership difficult.

Few people would possess the qualifications to use such a thing (we say thing because it’s not really a car).

Still, the Dutch company seems committed to both selling its product and authorizing customers to use it. The site has section that puts customers in touch with flight schools. In a press release it also claims that licensing to fly only takes about 20 to 30 hours.

Pricing isn’t available yet, but if there’s any truth to any of this it seems the U.S. government is already preparing for increased air traffic from vehicles like this.

A single passenger vehicle, the flying car can reach top speeds of around 110 mph on land and in the air, with a flying range of about 220 to 315 miles depending on wind conditions.

On the ground it’s said to drive — and accelerate, like a sports car thanks to its three-wheel setup and leaning capability that make it feel like a car-motorcycle hybrid.

Watch the video footage of its maiden flight below.