Meet PAL-V Liberty, a flying car that’s road-legal in Europe

Netherlands-based automaker PAL-V has obtained the necessary certificates to make its flying car, the Liberty, legal to drive on public streets throughout the European Union. The company emerged in 2001 and launched its first vehicle in the air eight years ago.

The versatile aircraft weighs in at only 664 kg (1,464 lbs) when empty and can lift off as long as it stays under 910 kg (2,006 lbs). It packs a 100-hp (75-kW) road engine than lets it reach 100 km/h (62 mph) on a highway in nine seconds and max out at 160 km/h (99 mph). The range amounts to 1,315 km (817 miles).

Once in the air, it engages its other, 200-hp (150-kW) engine to cruise comfortably at 140-160 km/h (87-100 miles per hour), although you can hit the boost and go 180 km/h (112 mph) if you need it. Depending on the weight carried, it can fly for between 400 and 500 kilometers (248 – 310 miles). This estimate seems a bit on the pessimistic side, given that it provides for 100-150 km (62 – 93 miles) of guaranteed driving after landing. The fuel tank holds up to 100 liters (26.4 U.S. gallons), and switching from car to plane mode and back usually takes between five and ten minutes. Not being a VTOL, the vehicle needs 330 meters (1,082 feet) of runway to take off.

It has to be pointed out that the PAL-V Liberty still lacks a flight permit. The company says it started obtaining the necessary certificates five years ago and expects to wrap things up successfully by 2022.

The pricing holds no pleasant surprises for those eager to take to the skies: the flying car starts from a bare minimum of U.S. $399,000, while the trimmed-up Liberty Pioneer Edition takes off at $599,000. PAL-V reports already having 30 pre-orders.