Vehicles of tomorrow move step closer to takeoff

A promotional video shows the 2-metric-ton vehicle taking off and hovering 10 meters above the ground for 30 seconds, before landing safely.

Compared with its predecessor, which was released last year, this latest version more closely resembles the model the company hopes to put into production.

Xpeng Aeroht, which has not released a production schedule, said the new flying car successfully completed its maiden flight and a number of single-motor failure tests.

"Subject to laws and regulations for low-altitude airspace, the car can take off and land vertically, and fly over traffic congestion, obstacles and rivers to meet a host of short-distance mobility needs," the company said in a statement.

An affiliate of Xpeng, a Chinese electric car startup that is a rival to Tesla, Xpeng Aeroht is Asia's largest company manufacturing flying cars. Its 700-plus employees — more than 85 percent of them engineers — are working on developing next-generation products. The company said it would have more than 1,000 employees by the end of this year.

The latest X3 prototype was unveiled days after the company tested a flying vehicle, the X2, in the United Arab Emirates — the first public overseas flight for the model, which made its global debut in Shanghai in July last year.

Brian Gu, vice-chairman and president of Xpeng, said the company has reached a significant milestone, describing it as "a major step in Xpeng's exploration of future mobility".

The two-seater X2 weighs 560 kilograms and is designed to be used at low altitude. It can fly for up to 35 minutes, with a maximum speed when airborne of 130 kilometers per hour. The car can be used manually or automatically, but unlike the X3, it is not suitable for road use.

Xpeng Aeroht said, "The car will be suitable for future low-altitude city flights and is perfect for short-distance city journeys such as sightseeing and medical transportation."

The X2 looks like models being developed by most companies manufacturing flying cars. According to a report by consultants McKinsey, more than 250 companies worldwide are developing and producing such vehicles, and the list is growing.

Although they are called flying cars or air taxis, these vehicles usually don't have wheels. They feature wings, or wings and rotors, fly at speeds of 100 to 300 km/h and can carry several passengers.

Powered by batteries, they have less complicated parts than ordinary vehicles, and are safer than light aircraft such as helicopters. They are also quieter and are expected to be cheaper.

The vehicles are aimed at offering quick point-to-point services for urban commuters and those in urgent need of medical help.