Billing it as the "ultimate personal aircraft," EADS Socata this month announced the newest member of its TBM family: the six-seat TBM 850 pressurized turbine single. Taking square aim at the coming VLJs, the company said its newest model builds on the success of the TBM 700 while offering owners and pilots a maximum cruise speed of 320 KTAS at FL260. Socata said in a press release, "This will give TBM 850 operators the advantage of the cruising speeds typical of light jets." The TBM 850 is certified in Europe; FAA certification is expected "soon" and deliveries will begin early next year. Base price of the TBM 850 is $2,576,930; an upgraded version, equipped with typical options and equipped for RVSM lists for $2,799,850.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/news/the-tbm-850-socata-upgrades-aims-at-vljs