Terrafugia flying car debuts at NY Auto Show

The Terrafugia Transition is introduced at the 2012 New York International Auto Show on April 5, 2012 in New York City. The Transition is the first of its kind: it is simultaneously able to perform as an aircraft or a street-legal vehicle. The New York International Auto Show features nearly 1,000 brand new vehicles from all auto industry sectors and is open to the public April 6-15.

The vehicle has two seats, four wheels and wings that fold up so it can be driven like a car, and flew at 1,400 feet for eight minutes during its test flight on March 23, 2012. Commercial jets fly at 35,000 feet.

142416952_(1).jpg — Andrew Burton/Getty Images

The Terrafugia Transition at the 2012 New York International Auto Show.

The Terrafugia Transition at the 2012 New York International Auto Show.

In this undated photo provided by Terrafugia Inc., the company's prototype flying car, dubbed the Transition, travels down a street with its wings folded.

This March 23, 2012 photo provided by Terrafugia Inc. shows the company's prototype flying car, dubbed the Transition, during its first flight.