NY Int'l Auto show to kick off

New Yorkers may be able to save a lot more time and gas in the future The annual New York International Auto Show kicks off shortly and this year, it's all about small, roomy and fuel efficient cars.

Can a car fly? The prototype for a flying car, named Aircar, will show you the answer at the 2008 New York International Auto Show.

Although the vehicle is still in the research stages, and can't actually fly just yet, the owner hopes to realize his dream of a flying car in a couple of years.

James Milner, Owner of Milner Motors, said, "You extend the wings and you can take off and fly. The airplane will fly at two hundred miles an hour, eventually up to twenty-five thousand feet, so you get above a good amount of the weather. Then you fly to your destination, land, pull the wings and drive on to your final destination."

Aircar is just one of the many sometimes wacky, sometimes ingenious designs at the auto show.

Especially of interest to New Yorkers will be Ford's prototype for a new taxi cab. It has been designed with Manhattan in mind, built upwards instead of wide. Even though it's 6 feet in height, it's still smaller than the current taxis. Besides, its environmental footprint is also a great improvement.

J. Mays, Group VP of Global Design, Ford Motor, said, "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. So that alone without going any further, is a huge step forward."

Small yet spacious is the tag line for many car makers attempting to improve fuel consumption.

But they are also aware of the demand for large vehicles. That makes Honda Fit another hot attraction at the show for its compact, spacious and interior.

The annual New York International Auto Show has over 100 years history, the longest in North America.

It's also the largest in the region. This year's show will run until March 30th.