Alauda Aeronautics has unveiled a crewed, electric flying car ahead of a racing series next year
Adelaide-based company Alauda Aeronautics has unveiled a flying car capable of hitting 360km/h as it prepares to launch a racing championship next year.
Flying racing car company Alauda Aeronautics has unveiled a hydrogen-powered, human-piloted vehicle which can hit speeds of 360km/h, as it gears up for the launch of its racing series next year.
The Adelaide-based company took the wraps off the Airspeeder MK4 at the Southstart start-up conference on Thursday, saying the vehicle was the world’s fastest electric vertical take off and landing aircraft, powered by its “Thunderstrike” engine which uses rocket technology.
Alauda chief executive Matt Pearson said the company was now looking to build partnerships with manufacturers and motorsport teams ahead of the launch of the racing series.
“We, and the world, are ready for crewed flying car racing,’’ Mr Pearson said.
“We have built the vehicles, developed the sport, secured the venues, attracted the sponsors and technical partners.
“Now is the time for the world’s most progressive, innovative and ambitious automotive brands, original equipment manufacturers and motorsport teams to be part of a truly revolutionary new motorsport.’’
Mr Pearson said the MK4 could reach its top speed in just 30 seconds from a standing start, and had a projected range of 300km.
“The new aircraft is a development of the remotely-piloted Mk3, which has successfully completed more than 350-plus test flights and took part in two Airspeeder demonstration races in South Australia in 2022,’’ the company said.
“The Airspeeder Mk4 is powered by a 1000KW (1340 horsepower) turbogenerator that feeds power to the batteries and motors.
“This revolutionary technology allows green hydrogen to be used as fuel, providing safe, reliable and sustainable power over long distances and flight times.’’
The company said flight testing for the MK4 would start in the first three months of this year ahead of the launch of the Airspeeder Racing Championship next year.
The vision for the championship, the company said, was to provide both an exciting entertainment offering, but also to push the limits of green propulsion.
“Alauda Aeronautics is already looking beyond racing to a world where private flying cars are a daily reality, and a viable means of urban transport,’’ the company said.
Mr Pearson said the company had drawn expertise from Airbus, Boeing, Ferrari and McLaren, and was eventually targeting a global market for electric flying cars at the consumer level.
“Once we can sell you a flying car for the same price as a Tesla, you’ll quickly see the balance shift,’’ he said.
“Today, private cars outnumber taxis by about 300 to one, so the potential for people to own and drive their own flying car one day is absolutely enormous. It’s a very exciting time.”
To date, Alauda and Airspeeder have struck partnerships with Swiss watch company IWC Schaffhausen, Telstra Purple, DHL, Intel and Acronis Teknov8.
The Southstart conference, held in Adelaide this week, brings together more than 1300 participants from the start-up and investment community.
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