The Chinese vehicle manufacturer Xpeng Aeroht has announced that they may be just months away from introducing the first commercially available flying car.
Showcasing their lineup at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, USA, the company are set to introduce two compatible models to allow motorists to encounter a variety of conditions.
The first to go on the market is the Land Aircraft Carrier, an electric vehicle with production set to begin in late 2024 ahead of the first deliveries in 2025.
A spokesperson for Xpeng Aeroht noted that, whilst this particular vehicle will never take off from the road, it will provide the basis for the flying vehicle.
They explained: “The ground module of the flying car accommodates four to five passengers and features an extended-range hybrid power system that can provide multiple recharges for the air module. The vehicle is designed with a three-axle, six-wheel configuration, enabling six-by-six all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering, offering impressive carrying capacity and off-road capabilities.”
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With styling similar to a more conventional multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), the Xpeng Aeroht Land Aircraft Carrier has a clean and minimalist appearance.
The nearly blank front end features a thin LED bar for the headlights, which spans the width of the vehicle, incorporating the Xpeng lettering.
The concept model also does not feature any door mirrors or rear windows, likely having a number of cameras to increase all-round visibility.
The second model in the Xpeng Aeroht lineup is the eVOTOL flying vehicle, which can be fitted into the boot of the Land Aircraft Carrier.
Similar to an enlarged drone, the eVOTOL features four propellors that allow the vehicle to take off and land vertically.
Two people can be carried in the flying vehicle, which features a 270-degree panoramic view, and can be controlled manually or in an auto-pilot mode.
Whilst both vehicles will be offered to motorists in China soon, with an expected price of about $200,000 (£158,000) for the Land Aircraft Carrier alone, Xpeng Aeroht note that the two vehicles could be particularly useful for emergency rescue services.
With both flying and driverless vehicles still considered by many as work of science fiction, Xpeng Aeroht reassured drivers that the eVOTOL was designed with safety in mind.
They said: “In case of rotor failure, the flight control system can make millisecond-level algorithm adjustments, ensuring the aircraft’s continued safe operation.
“This massive capability, coupled with a thrust-to-weight ratio exceeding two, enables the aircraft to maintain safe flight even after losing two of its six rotors, meeting the stringent safety standards required for civil aviation.”
