Photo: XPENG AEROHT
The idea of a flying car that can operate just as smoothly in the sky as it does on regular roads is already mind-blowing. Still, XPENG AEROHT took things even further with a unique modular concept that requires separate certifications for the two vehicles contained within this 2-in-1 product.
XPENG AEROHT's modular flying car is actually comprised of two distinct vehicles that can operate independently or together. The ground module combines a three-axis, six-wheel design with rear-wheel steering and 6X6 all-wheel drive. This is basically the car section with up to five seats and off-road capabilities.
Perfectly functional on its own, this ground vehicle also becomes the mothership for the air vehicle. The flying section of this modular flying car fits easily inside the mothership for ground travel. Plus, the ground module's electric drive system can also double as a range extender for the air vehicle.
This air vehicle is basically a double-seat eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) for personal use. XPENG even claims it was the first of its kind developed in China. The eVTOL features a comfortable cabin with two seats and windows for panoramic views. It is fitted with a distributed electric propulsion system. It's designed to switch from manual to fully autonomous driving mode easily, and it's equipped with multiple safety features.
The company's latest certification milestone is linked to this air component of the flying car. The X3-F received type certification (TC) from CAAC (the Civil Aviation Administration of Central and Southern China). With this certification in hand, XPENG AEROHT is ready to move to the next phase, which is the airworthiness certification.
While the X3-F component follows a similar path to standard eVTOLs for personal use, the ground component of the flying car will be certified to automotive standards in the near future.
Getting such an innovative flying car fully certified and operational is a long, tedious, and expensive process. In terms of finances, XPENG secured a hefty amount of money back in 2022, when it obtained credit worth a total of RMB 6 billion (approximately $844 million) from four of China's top banks.
The previous version of the X3, the XPENG AEROHT X2, made its public debut in 2022 when it took to the sky in Dubai. The X2 combined a full-carbon fiber airframe with four independent battery packs for a top speed of 130 kph (80.7 mph) and a 35-minute endurance. The smart cockpit with a floating display was designed for top-level controls, including quick response and autonomous flight path planning.
An affiliate of automotive giant XPeng, XPENG AEROHT also claims to be the biggest flying car company in Asia and developer of one of the first flying cars in the world.
Perfectly functional on its own, this ground vehicle also becomes the mothership for the air vehicle. The flying section of this modular flying car fits easily inside the mothership for ground travel. Plus, the ground module's electric drive system can also double as a range extender for the air vehicle.
This air vehicle is basically a double-seat eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) for personal use. XPENG even claims it was the first of its kind developed in China. The eVTOL features a comfortable cabin with two seats and windows for panoramic views. It is fitted with a distributed electric propulsion system. It's designed to switch from manual to fully autonomous driving mode easily, and it's equipped with multiple safety features.
The company's latest certification milestone is linked to this air component of the flying car. The X3-F received type certification (TC) from CAAC (the Civil Aviation Administration of Central and Southern China). With this certification in hand, XPENG AEROHT is ready to move to the next phase, which is the airworthiness certification.
While the X3-F component follows a similar path to standard eVTOLs for personal use, the ground component of the flying car will be certified to automotive standards in the near future.
Getting such an innovative flying car fully certified and operational is a long, tedious, and expensive process. In terms of finances, XPENG secured a hefty amount of money back in 2022, when it obtained credit worth a total of RMB 6 billion (approximately $844 million) from four of China's top banks.
The previous version of the X3, the XPENG AEROHT X2, made its public debut in 2022 when it took to the sky in Dubai. The X2 combined a full-carbon fiber airframe with four independent battery packs for a top speed of 130 kph (80.7 mph) and a 35-minute endurance. The smart cockpit with a floating display was designed for top-level controls, including quick response and autonomous flight path planning.
An affiliate of automotive giant XPeng, XPENG AEROHT also claims to be the biggest flying car company in Asia and developer of one of the first flying cars in the world.
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