A UNIQUE flying automobile is being developed to pave the way for cars in the air.
The XPENG AEROHT eVTOL is the latest flying car concept that can transform into a drone-like helicopter with folding wings and rotors.
SWNSChinese firm Xpeng revealed its latest concept for AEROHT eVTOL[/caption]
SWNSThe unique concept boasts a four-arm system with eight-mounted motors on the foldable wings[/caption]
Unveiled during the Xpeng Tech Day 2023, the AEROHT eVTOL gives an updated look at the company’s future for flying cars.
Shifting from the original concept of using two very large propellers on fold-out arms, the company is now moving to a more practical four-arm system with eight-mounted motors on the foldable wings.
The sporty-looking car will still store its flight gear internally, where the critical flight gear won’t get damaged by highway debris.
The coaxially-placed propellers will help with extra control and redundancy, according to the Chinese motor giant.
Xpeng revealed a rendered video of the car showing the vehicle’s elongated roof lifting to allow the airframe arms to fold out – while in the cabin, the steering wheel retracts out of the way so the driver can take the joystick and become the pilot.
While functionalities and technical specifications of the wacky flying car are yet to be official, it is still not clear if the AEROHT eVTOL is intended to be a flying prototype as opposed to a show car.
It comes after a unique flying three-wheeler Sky Switchblade lifted off for an exhilarating first flight at the Grant Country International Airport in Washington.
The incredible flying car reached an impressive altitude of 500ft before circling in mid-air for six minutes.
The highly-anticipated two-seater has already received 2,300 Reservations from 57 countries and all 50 States in the US.
At first glance, the Switchblade seems like a normal motor that would fit right in your garage.
But with two wings and a tail that folds out with just a touch of a button, the street-legal three-wheeler can convert to a 200-mph aircraft in no time.
The aircraft can then be flown to the airport nearest your destination – at up to 200mph and within a range of 450 miles.
It can reach an altitude of 13,000 feet.
Upon landing, users transform the flying sports car back to driving mode – the wings and tail safely stowed and protected – and drive to their final destination.
The Switchblade comes in two kit types, a £139k one which permits a pilot to operate in clear weather conditions, and a £160k version to fly under different weather conditions, including flying into clouds and with zero visibility.
The vehicle has a unique hybrid electric system, which uses regular unleaded auto gas rather than leaded aviation fuel.
While a private pilot’s license is required to fly the Switchblade, Samson Sky says they are seeing reservations coming in from non-pilots who plan to learn to fly this incredible piece of motor.
Cover ImagesThe sporty-looking car will still store its flight gear internally, where the critical flight gear won’t get damaged by highway debris[/caption]
Cover ImagesThe steering wheel retracts out of the way so the driver can take the joystick and become the pilot[/caption]