XPeng’s urban air mobility (UAM) company AeroHT has conducted the first flight of its electric flying car, the XPeng X2, at Skydive Dubai. The fifth-generation X2 ‘flying car’ publicly took off, flew, and landed successfully during the Dubai demonstration.
The X2 is a two-person electric vertical take-off (eVTOL) flying car powered by eight propeller engines, two in each corner of the vehicle. The aircraft has a maximum speed of 130 km/h (81 mph) and a flight time of 35 minutes. It is designed to reach a height of 3,200ft – though it will likely cruise at around 300ft. The vehicle has two driving modes: automatic and manual. During the autonomous flight, passengers can enjoy a safe and intelligent flying experience with simple start, return, and landing operations at the touch of a button.
For the first time, the X2 adopts an enclosed cockpit with a minimalist teardrop-shaped design and a sci-fi appearance that takes high-efficient aerodynamics into account to achieve the ultimate in-flight performance. In order to reduce weight, the XPeng X2 has a complete carbon fiber structure.
Because it is electric, the X2 flying car does not emit any polluting gas during its use, according to Xpeng. The objective is to offer it for low-altitude routes in large urban centers. Chinese firms believe it would be ‘perfect’ for short-distance city journeys, such as sightseeing and transporting medical supplies.
The first public test flight was witnessed by 150 guests, including representatives from the Chinese Consulate in Dubai, the Dubai International Chamber of Commerce, the DCAA, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the Dubai World Trade Centre, and global media.
The flight was one of the highlights of Gitex Global 2022, one of the largest innovation and technology fairs in the world, which started on October 10th in the Arab city. The event brings together more than 5,000 exhibitors and expects to attract more than 100,000 visitors from 170 countries, converging the most advanced companies and best minds to dive deep into diverse technology topics, including future mobility.
“XPeng X2’s public display in Dubai represents a significant milestone for XPeng AeroHT and the international achievement of flying cars. 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,” said Brian Gu, Vice Chairman and President of XPENG.
XPeng AeroHT will release the crucial achievement of R&D progress of the sixth-generation flying car, including the configuration, exterior design, and air driving method, on this year’s 1024 XPeng Tech Day. This next-generation electric flying car, which is able to drive in the air and on roads, represents a true transformation from two-dimensional to three-dimensional mobility.
