Those flying cars from sci-fi films aren’t far away

As the world becomes more and more familiar with electric cars, some manufacturers are shifting their attention to the next step in automotive progress: the skies. 

Volkswagen Group China has unveiled a ‘state-of-the-art passenger drone prototype,’ an all-electric powered Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) passenger drone prototype dubbed the V.MO. This officially marks the German auto maker’s first step into the world of aircraft design and development.

Photo: Courtesy of Volkswagen

Due to its distinctive black and gold livery, and the fact that it was launched in the Year of the Tiger, the aircraft has been dubbed the Flying Tiger. Designed and engineered in collaboration with Chinese aviation manufacturer Sunward and British design consultancy Tangerine, the V.MO is the VW group’s first ever attempt at a fully electric, sustainable vehicle.

CEO of Volkswagen Group China Dr. Stephan Wöllenstein said that they are working with new design concepts and materials while developing new safety standards, disrupting and innovating every step of the way. The company’s accuracy in engineering and cutting-edge innovation is evident in the Flying Tiger.

The prototype concept is based on existing autonomous driving solutions and battery technology for emission-free mobility, according to Volkswagen Newsroom. With a luxury x-wing configuration of 11.2m in length and a span width of 10.6m, the model features eight rotors for vertical lift and two propellers for horizontal flight. The targeted flying range is 200 kilometers on one charge—while carrying four adult passengers and luggage.

The Flying Tiger will likely be a VIP air shuttle for tech-savvy or high-net-worth Chinese customers in its first phase, but VW hopes the platform will perform as a taxi in following phases. Their long-term aim is to break new ground in this emerging and fast-evolving new mobility market.

For more information, visit volkswagen-newsroom.com.