Classic 1920s 'Italian Rolls-Royce’ is transformed into a futuristic FLYING car concept capable of reaching speeds of 340mph using four jet engines
- The Hover Coupe is the brainchild of Pierpaolo Lazzarini, head of Rome-based Lazzarini Design Studio
- The concept car is based on the Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8, an Italian luxury car manufactured from 1919 to 1924
- The Tipo 8's spiritual successor features four jet engines mounted on an extremely light carbon body
- It's drone-like design will make it extremely manoueverable and capable of vertical take off and landing
Stunning concept images have revealed an Italian designer's unique vision for a retro-inspired flying vehicle.
Lazzarini Design Studio has merged futuristic technology with 1920s luxury for its Hover Coupe, which resembles a cross between a Rolls-Royce and something from a science fiction film.
According to its creators, the hover car will be able to reach a top speed in excess of 342mph (550kph) using four jet turbines.
Stunning concept images have revealed an Italian designer's unique vision for a retro inspired flying vehicle. Lazzarini Design Studio has merged futuristic technology with 1920s luxury for its Hover Coupe, which resembles a cross between a Rolls Royce and something from a science fiction film
The Hover Coupe is the brainchild of Pierpaolo Lazzarini, head of the Rome-based agency behind the creation of breathtaking images and footage of their vision for the vehicle.
Its unique design features drone-like propellers which would make the flying car capable of vertical take off and landing (VTOL).
The concept car is based on the Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8, an Italian luxury car manufactured from 1919 to 1924, which was the main rival to the Rolls-Royce.
The company has not yet given a time-frame on when the hovercraft might become a reality.
But one of the firm's designs, for the mini-yacht Jet Capsule, was recently created, so the concept may not just be pie in the sky.
In a written statement, a company spokesman said: 'Inspired by the Isotta Fraschini, a full blood Italian legend, here at Lazzarini Design we played with our imagination to relaunch the brand in a futuristic way. And no wheels needed.
'The Hover Coupè maintains the soft lines, yet is powered by four turbine engine, similar to the ones in use in commercial planes, but smaller in diameter at 50 cm (12 inches).
'Four jet engines are mounted on an extremely light carbon body structure. The vehicle measures 4500mm (4.5m/15ft) in length, can hover vertically, moving forward thanks to a system of specially fitted flaps.
'Similar to a drone in the manoeuvrability, the Hover Coupe could reach, hypothetically, an estimated top speed of 550km/h and it turns left and right by the release of the available air inside the turbines.'
Isotta Fraschini underwent a complete change after the First World War, moving from building a wide variety of models, to adopting a single-series policy.
The concept car (left) is based on the Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8 (right), an Italian luxury car manufactured from 1919 to 1924, which was the main rival to the Rolls-Royce
The Hover Coupè is the brainchild of Pierpaolo Lazzarini, head of the Rome-based agency behind the creation of breathtaking images and footage of their vision for the vehicle
Its unique design features drone-like propellers which would make the flying car capable of vertical take off and landing. According to its creators, the hover car will be able to reach a top speed in excess of 342mph (550kph) using the jet turbines
The company has not yet given a time-frame on when the hovercraft, which they say is 'Inspired by the Isotta Fraschini, a full blood Italian legend', might become a reality
The Tipo 8 was the first mass produced car in the world to be equipped with a straight-eight engine, initially producing 80 bhp (60 kW) and eventually 90 bhp (67 kW) in later modelsSala, but European and American coachbuilding firms also offered to supply custom built bodies.
The Tipo 8 was the first mass produced car in the world to be equipped with a straight-eight engine, initially producing 80 bhp (60 kW) and eventually 90 bhp (67 kW) in later models.
Isotta Fraschini, founded in 1900, gained its name and success as luxury car manufacturer with this model.
The Tipo 8's spiritual successor features four jet engines mounted on an extremely light carbon body structure, which measures 4.5 metres (15 feet) in length.
The Tipo 8's spiritual successor features four jet engines mounted on an extremely light carbon body structure, which measures 4.5 metres (15 feet) in length
Its four turbine engine are similar to the ones in use in commercial planes, but smaller in diameter at 50 cm (20 inches). This image shows the vehicle landing in a busy city
Similar to a drone in manoeuvrability, the Hover Coupè could theoretically reach an estimated top speed of 342mph (550km/h)
The Hover Coupè maintains the soft lines of the Tipo 8 and is powered by four turbine engine, similar to the ones in use in commercial planes but smaller in diameter at 50 cm (12 inches)
Its four turbine engine are similar to the ones in use in commercial planes, but smaller in diameter at 50 cm (20 inches).
Similar to a drone in manoeuvrability, the Hover Coupè could theoretically reach an estimated top speed of 342mph (550km/h).
It turns left and right by the release of the available air inside the turbines.
To facilitate the stability of the vehicle while flying, additional adjustable flaps are located below the chassis of the jet car.
The Hover Coupe turns left and right by the release of the available air inside the turbines. To facilitate the stability of the vehicle while flying, additional adjustable flaps are located below the chassis of the jet car.
One of the firm's designs, for the mini-yacht Jet Capsule, was recently created, so the concept may not just be pie in the sky. This image shows the vehicle from the side
The Tipo 8 was the first mass produced car in the world to be equipped with a straight-eight engine, initially producing 80 bhp (60 kW) and eventually 90 bhp (67 kW) in later models. The Hover Coupe encapsulates some of its
World's first 200mph two-seater flying sports car will hit the skies NEXT YEAR (and it could be yours for £90,000)
- The Switchblade is a 3-wheel car that can drive on the road and fly in the sky
- It takes off like other aircraft, meaning it must be launched from an airport
- The car can fly at a top speed of 200mph (320km/h) at an altitude of 13,000ft
- Samson says that prices for the flying car will start at £90,000 ($120,000)
Samson Motors has joined the race to have the first flying cars in the skies, with the world's first 200mph (320km/h) flying sports car, dubbed the Switchblade.
The Switchblade can cruise at an altitude of 13,000 feet and at a top speed of 200mph and is fitted with a safety parachute.
Samson Motors claims the car will be ready for launch in spring 2018, with prices starting at £90,000 ($120,000).
The Switchblade can cruise at an altitude of 13,000 feet and at a top speed of 200 miles/hour, and is fitted with a safety parachute, should disaster strike
The Switchblade is a three-wheel car, designed by Oregon-based Samson Motors.
The car has two seats, and on the ground is 5.1 metres long.
But it also has extendable wings and a retractable tail that fold out, taking the car's length to 6.2 metres, meaning 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), while in the sky it can reach speeds of 200mph (320 km/hour).
Unlike vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicles, the Switchblade can't takeoff from the road, and will need to be flown from regular airports.
A spokesperson for Samson said: '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 privileges.'
In terms of engine, the Switchblade is powered by a 190bhp liquid-cooled 1.6-litre V4 engine, which gives the car a range of around 450 miles from the 113-litre fuel tank.Introducing the world's first flying sports car: The Switchblade
The Switchblade is a three-wheel car, designed by Oregon-based Samson Motors. The car has two seats, and on the ground is 5.1 metres long
And while the current version uses unleaded petrol, Samson is already looking ahead to other options.
The Samson spokesperson added: 'We have already finished layouts for both hybrid, and electric drive systems pending on an appropriate battery solution.'
The car is kitted out with a range of features, including a sound system, reversing camera and a digital instrument display.
Various safety features are also included, such as a parachute for the whole car, rollover protection and crumple zones in the front and rear.
Three versions of the car exist – the Snowbird, for colder climates, the Trek, designed for heavy-duty landing, and the Aurora, which combines the Snowbird and Trek.
COMPETITORS
European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is working on a driverless flying taxi called Vahana that at first will have a pilot, but will later be autonomous
Samson faces stiff competition from several other firms, who are racing to be the first to have a flying car in the skies:
Airbus
European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is working on a driverless flying taxi called Vahana that at first will have a pilot, but will later be autonomous.
Airbus plans to have the first Vahanas ready for production by 2020.
Israeli tech firm Urban Aeronautics originally designed its people-carrying drone as an 'air mule' for military use
Urban Aeronautics
Israeli tech firm Urban Aeronautics originally designed its people-carrying drone as an 'air mule' for military use.
Dubbed the Cormorant, this vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is capable of carrying 1,000 pounds over 31 miles, allowing it to deliver supplies to war zones and carry wounded soldiers to safety.
A test flight last November was successful, but it is unclear when Urban Aeronautics plans to launch the Cormorant.
German technology company Lilium Aviation is working on a two-seater aircraft that will take off vertically using 36 electric fan engines arrayed along its wings
Lilium Aviation
German technology company Lilium Aviation is working on a two-seater aircraft that will take off vertically using 36 electric fan engines arrayed along its wings.
The egg-shaped plane, called Lilium, has been heralded as high up as the European Space Agency (ESA), who highlight its environmental benefits as well as not needing to land at an airport.
Lilium Aviation says it will be ready by 2020.
The Slovakian company AeroMobil has developed a car with wings that unfold for flight
AeroMobil
The Slovakian company AeroMobil has developed a car with wings that unfold for flight.
It uses regular gasoline and fits into standard parking spaces.
It can also take off from airports or 'any grass strip or paved surface just a few hundred meters long,' according to the company's website.
The AeroMobil is expected to go into full production in the upcoming years with the first deliveries being made to customers by 2020.
Chinese drone maker EHang has been flight-testing a person-carrying drone in Nevada
EHang 184
Chinese drone maker EHang has been flight-testing a person-carrying drone in Nevada.
The vehicle is a cockpit with four arms equipped with a total of eight rotors.
The company says the 184 is autonomous, so all the passenger has to do is enter in their destination in the smartphone app, sit back, and let the drone take over.
EHang 184 is expected to be ready in two to three years.
Joby Aviation has developed a two-seater aircraft that not only reaches speeds of 200 mph, but is also powered by lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide batteries
S2
Joby Aviation has developed a two-seater aircraft that not only reaches speeds of 200 mph, but is also powered by lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide batteries.
The S2 is in 'active development' but it is unclear when it will be ready.
Terrafugia, based in Woburn, Massachusetts, is working on a 'flying car' called the TF-X - a car with folding arms and rotors for vertical takeoff and landing
Terrafugia TF-X
Terrafugia, based in Woburn, Massachusetts, is working on a 'flying car' called the TF-X - a car with folding arms and rotors for vertical takeoff and landing.
The TF-X is still in development and a launch date remains unclear,
The Volocopter VC200 takes to the skies using its 18 gently humming rotors and electric propulsion
Volocopter
The Volocopter VC200 takes to the skies using its 18 gently humming rotors and electric propulsion.
It is piloted one-handedly with a single joystick, which has shown to reduce the major reason behind fatal helicopter accidents: human error.
Volocopter says the VC200 will be ready in 'two to three years.' 
The car has extendable wings and a retractable tail that fold out, taking the car's length to 6.2 metres, meaning it can be used both on the road and in the sky
In terms of engine, the Switchblade is powered by a 190bhp liquid-cooled 1.6-litre V4 engine, which gives the car a range of around 450 miles from the 113-litre fuel tank
Samson says that prices will start at around £90,000 ($120,000).
But it isn't quite as simple as buying the car and setting off on a journey.
A private pilot's licence is required to fly it, and a full driving licence is needed to operate it on the roads.
The car is kitted out with a range of features, including a premium sound system, reversing camera and a digital instrument display
And bizarrely, due to its classification as an experimental/homebuilt vehicle, US law dictates that 51 per cent of the vehicle must be built by the owner.
Thankfully, Samson says this can be completed in three weeks at a Samson Build Assist Centre.
Various safety features are also included, such as a parachute for the whole car, rollover protection and crumple zones in the front and rear
Bizarrely, due to its classification as an experimental/homebuilt vehicle, US law dictates that 51 per cent of the vehicle must be built by the owner
Samson is in a race with more than a dozen well-funded European and US firms, each with its own science fiction-inspired vision for creating a new form of urban transport that is a cross between a driverless electric car and a short-hop, vertical takeoff-and-landing aircraft.
These include aerospace giant Airbus, which aims to put a self-piloting taxi in the air by 2020; Kitty Hawk, a company backed by Google co-founder Larry Page; and Uber, which is working with partners on its own flying taxi strategy.
Samson is in a race with more than a dozen well-funded European and US firms, including Uber, which plans to launch its UberAir service in 2020
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