Sad days are forecast ahead for flying car enthusiasts, as one of the latest companies to bring out such a transportation option has announced production will be delayed. Production of the Terrafugia Transition – the car with wings – was meant to commence this year, but it has now been pushed back due to various building challenges and issues with parts suppliers.

You may remember the Terrafugia Transition, it kind of looks like a long wheelbase version of a Goggomobil but is fitted with wings that fold upright. The folding mechanism allows the plane to be driven about somewhat like a normal car. With the wings folded out, the Terrafugia Transition is transformed into a plane.

Terrafugia had planned to release the contraption onto the US market this year but now the company says production won’t facilitate market entry until early next year. The company was going to unveil the model at an airshow in Oshkosh, US, next month, and give a demonstration of its flying capabilities. Due to the drawbacks, the company will simply be displaying a static model of the craft.

Terrafugia boss Carl Dietrich announced the delays in a recent statement. He also reassured enthusiasts that the model production will go ahead, just not as initially scheduled.

“Our team continues to be committed to pushing the schedule forward as quickly as possible, but safety and quality must remain our top priorities – particularly as we begin our rigorous testing program. I believe that the Transition will be worth the wait.”

The Transition needs just 520 metres of runway space to take off over an obstacle of 15 metres in height, and is able to cruise the air at a reasonable rate of 200km/h. The Transition fuel tank also has a range of around 700km and offers a reasonable driving fuel consumption average of 7.8L/100km.

It looks like the concept of the flying car is almost in reach now. The question is: would you buy one? Let us know in the comments section below.