What started as a small civil aviation trade show back in 1986 has today become an international show, hosting 1,046 exhibitors from 60 countries. The ongoing biannual Air Show in Dubai is also where Airbus has unveiled its new helicopter model, the H160. Concerning its exterior touch, it makes for the biggest project that Peugeot’s 2012-born Design Lab has done so far.
Ferrari used to work with Pininfarina quite a lot, but the Italian design house was never part of the Maranello-based factory. However, some carmakers have their in-house design branch that sooner or later starts approaching non-automotive projects. It’s the case with the French team who created the initial project that later Airbus adapted to a production model.
The H160 - present in Dubai until November 12 - was designed to perform a broad range of duties, including offshore platforms, public-service missions and emergency medical services, as well as private business and aviation. You may be wondering since when the French carmaker is designing aircraft.
Well, Peugeot Design Lab began work on the H160 after winning an in-house style competition, launched by Airbus Helicopters with the aim to get outside influences and create a new benchmark in regards to helicopters design style. Once it chose the French approach, so to speak, the in-house design team at Airbus Helicopters then developed and fine-tuned Peugeot’s initial form to create the aircraft you can observe here.
According to its creator, the styling offers an updated take on the previous generation, the Dauphin, whose iconic nose has been revamped. Performance is achieved through a series of innovations, including an airframe made from composite materials, a biplane stabilizer, a canted tail root, and Blue Edge blades.
After having its official unveiling in Dubai, the new medium-twin helicopter will hit the market starting next year. As far as numbers are concerned, the new helicopter has a capacity of 12 people with a crew of two, weighs somewhere between 5,500 kg (12,125 lb) and 6,000 kg (13,000 lb) and is powered by two Turbomeca Arrano turboshaft engines. Estimated cruising speed is 296 km/h (184 mph; 160 knots), while its maximum range is 833 km (518 mi / 450 nautical miles).
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