Chinese electric car brand Xpeng has successfully completed the first public test flight of its X2 electric ‘flying car’ in Dubai.
The firm, which offers a range of electric saloons, crossovers and SUVs, is hoping to take a slice of the Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) market with its X2 ‘flying car’ which they hope will serve as a flying taxi in the future.
The two-seater eVTOL craft is the firm’s fifth generation flying car which has been developed and manufactured by Xpeng Aeroht, the brand’s dedicated ‘flying car’ division.
Xpeng’s X2 features a teardrop-shaped design, with an enclosed cockpit. The eight propellers are placed on each corner of the electric craft. In order to reduce weight, the X2 has a complete carbon fibre structure.
Xpeng says that once launched, the X2 will be suitable for ‘low-altitude city flight’ and ‘short-distance city journeys for medical transportation’.
The X2 features two driving modes; manual and autonomous. Xpeng says that in autonomous flight mode, passengers can start, fly and land the X2 using a single button.
After completing its first successful flight Xpeng achieved the specific requirements to obtain a special flying permit from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA).
"Xpeng X2's public display in Dubai represents a significant milestone for Xpeng Aeroht and the international achievement of flying cars,” said Brian Gu, vice chairman and president of Xpeng.
“Dubai is a world-renowned 'City of Innovation', which is the reason we decided to hold the X2 first public flight event here. Today's flight is a major step in XPENG's exploration of future mobility."
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