Video: First ‘Real’ Flying Car Takes Flight

A US start-up has released a video of its prototype flying car taking off on a suburban street.

Unveiled two years ago, Alef Aeronautics’ Model Zero prototype can be seen using its vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) capabilities in a field to fly over a Chevrolet Suburban, while a second test shows it overtaking a Lexus RX – at tree-top height.

Unlike other so-called ‘flying cars’ – which are often little more than a small aeroplane or helicopter with wheels – the Model Zero is more akin to a drone, but with a body shape more akin to a traditional three-box sedan.

The electric vehicle is said to have a driving range of 320 kilometres and a flight range of 160 kilometres.

The company says it has already received more than US$1 billion (AU$1.6B) worth of pre-orders for the vehicle, which it plans to name Model A.

However, it’s likely Ford’s trademark lawyers will have something to say about that, given the Model A was the Blue Oval’s second mass-production car after the Model T.

In 2013, Ford stopped Tesla from using ‘Model E’ – forcing the carmaker to adopt the Model 3 name instead.

The Alef Aeronautics vehicle essentially has four electric rotors – much like a small consumer drone – but with wheels, a bubble cabin, and a mesh body over the top.

Once the vehicle has taken off, the body will rotate against the cabin, allowing the occupants to remain sitting upright.

Alef Aeronautics has achieved certification from the US Federal Aviation Authority to conduct tests of the vehicle under strict conditions.

Despite the company’s claim that it’s the first “real” flying car, the vehicle would need to meet minimum safety standards in order to be able to be registered for the road – as well as the sky.

The first model is priced from US$300,000 (AU$483,000) for pre-orders, with the aim to reduce the price to US$35,000 (AU$56,000) by 2035 for a four-seater model.

What do you think? Is this the future of transport? Let us know in the comments section below.