New Yorkers may be able to save a lot more time and gas in the future. A
prototype for a flying car and a six feet high taxi cab are just two of the
highlights at the New York International Auto Show. 

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (MARCH 19, 2008)
(REUTERS)- Is it a car or is it a plane? The prototype for the new Aircar is
both. Although the vehicle is still in the research stages, and can't actually
fly yet, the owner of Milner Motors, James Milner, hopes to have his dream
flying car on the road in a couple of years.
    "You extend the wings and you can take off and fly," he told
Reuters. As a light airplane, the Aircar will cruise at 200 mph in the air.
Fold-up wings enable the plane to switch back to car after landing. 
    "You fly to your destination, land, pull the wings and drive on to
your final destination," he added.
    Aircar is one of many sometimes wacky, sometimes ingenious designs at
the 2008 New York International Auto Show. Despite the usual attractions of
large and fast cars like the Ford Mustang and Mercedes-Benz, one of the main
themes of this year's show is small, yet roomy and fuel efficient.
Environmental considerations are foremost on many car manufacturers minds,
says David Champion, who is head of Automobile Testing for Consumer
Reports.
    "It's almost we're going back to the turn of the 19th century when
cars were first on the road. There was steam, electric, gasoline, all these
technologies, including diesel, were all vying for who would be the one
dominant one," he said.
     Especially of interest to New Yorkers is Ford's prototype for a new
taxi cab. It has been designed with Manhattan in mind, built upwards instead
of wide and even though it is 6 feet in height, it is smaller than the current
Ford Crown Victoria's being used as taxis. Its environmental footprint is also
a great improvement, said Ford's VP of Global Design, J Mays.
    "It gets 30 percent better fuel mileage than the current Crown
Vics that are running around Manhattan today and an astounding 90 percent
better CO2 than the current Crown Vic," he said.
    Small yet spacious is the tag line for many car makers attempting to
improve fuel consumption, yet aware of the demand for large vehicles. The
Honda Fit is a hot attraction at the show for its compact, spacious,
interior.
    A Lincoln boasts a satellite radio system that, with a swipe of a
credit card, can inform the driver where she can buy the cheapest gasoline in
the area.
    The New York International Auto Show runs from March 21 through March
30.