Volkswagen Hover Car takes off

Volkswagen has been running a “People’s Car Project” in China ahead of the 2012 Beijing Motor Show – and amongst the intriguing concepts submitted by the Chinese public is this VW Hover Car.

And we don’t mean flappy rubber skirts and a fan on the back – although that has previously appeared with a VW badge in the form of the unofficial Volkswagen Aqua concept.

Volkswagen Aqua hovercraft concept

Instead the Hover Car would work rather more like a monorail, using an electromagnetic road network to float just inches above the tarmac. Advantages would include the ability to turn on the spot, and presumably a drastic reduction in surface wear and tear.

Sophisticated sensors and computer control system would do their best to avoid accidents, too. Wild though the idea may be, according to Volkswagen it gives them great interest into Chinese buyers’ priorities – in this instance the ability to safely negotiated over-crowded streets.

Other highlights from the People’s Car Project include the Music Car – a VW Beetle covered in LEDs that change colour according to the music that’s playing on the stereo – and a device called the Smart Key.

This is a small touchscreen that would allow you to check the car’s fuel level, climate conditions and security. It even proposes you’d be able to view the vehicle on a live satellite feed – but that’s probably even more scifi than the Hover Car right now.

The People’s Car Project was first launched 11 months ago. In receiving 33 million visitors to the website and more than 119,000 ideas, its success has “far exceeded all expectations,” says Volkswagen.

Volkswagen Aqua hovercraft concept