Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles have made significant advancements owing to XPeng‘s urban air mobility (UAM) subsidiary, AeroHT at Skydive Dubai. It demonstrated the public takeoff of its fifth-generation X2 “flying car,” as per InsideEVs.
Emirates Woman reported that the test flight was hosted by the Dubai International Chamber. The X2 flying car successfully completed its 90-minute test flight.
During the demonstration, the business also provided an update on the development of its sixth-generation flying car. It was reportedly Xpeng’s first public display after the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) granted it a flying permit.
In retrospect, Aerial video of the X2 being tested in China during harsh conditions and at great heights had already been released by XPeng AeroHT.
According to Electrek, over 15,000 safely manned flights have been made by AeroHT since its launch in 2013. In order to produce safe, domestic electric flying vehicles on a large scale, the company combines automotive and aerospace technologies.
In hindsight, the T1 in 2019 and the X1 in 2020 were previous eVTOL prototypes. Notably, AeroHT refers to the X2 as the company’s fifth generation “flying car,” because it has a lot in common with the P7 sedan from XPeng Motors in terms of design.
In addition, the flying car is designed for low-altitude city flights, particularly short-distance city trips like sightseeing and medical transport.
Remarkably, the DCAA reviewers gave the XPeng X2 high marks for stability and uniformity of the entire flight operation process. Furthermore, the video shows the flying car flying vertically and floating tens of feet from the surface like a drone.
Brian Gu, Vice Chairman and President of XPeng, stated, “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.”
The XPeng X2 has manual and automated driving options. Remarkably, the latter is intended to provide travelers with a smart and safe flying experience. With just the push of a button, it can easily take off, land, and return, as per the report.
Khaleej Times reported that the autonomous two-seater flying car has a maximum takeoff weight of 760 kg, a 560 kg empty weight, and a 130 km/h top flight speed.
According to the report, Senior UAE officials encouraged Xpeng to choose their country to grow their business earlier this year while they were in Guangzhou, China.
“This flying car is a luxury item and a lot of high net-worth individuals are looking for technology and such luxurious product. Dubai is the place where we have customers,” said Omar Abdulaziz AlKhan, executive director for international offices at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“Dubai Civil Aviation Authority is working with the company and shares its feedback regularly with Xpeng, which is taking feedback very actively,” he added.
Hassan Al Hashemi also said, “Dubai has become a magnet and testbed for companies from around the world that bring cutting-edge technologies to the market that support the emirate’s innovation strategy. The decision to debut the X2 flying car in Dubai is a testament to Dubai’s position as a global innovation leader and hub for future technology.”
Furthermore, “The next generation flying car will be intelligent, electric, vertical takeoff and landing, air-land coupling. The product has begun to develop in 2020 and is scheduled to be mass-produced and delivered in 2024. We hope that our flying car will be a perfect match for Dubai, to jointly explore and build the future of 3D transportation, so that everyone can fly freely in the sky,” as per Dr. Gu.
Al Kamali emphasized that the government is devoted to assisting businesses that choose Dubai. “Opportunities are limitless here and we work with different communities and agencies to make things work here,” he said.
Now, the business is actively developing a sixth-generation model that will feature major improvements, including the capability to operate on land. It will also be available in manual and autonomous options.
At the 1024 XPeng Tech Day on October 24, 2022, XPeng Aeroht is expected to discuss the configuration, exterior design, and air-driving method of the sixth-generation XPeng X2.
