Aerodynamic Flying Car Is Soaring Through The Skies Without Wings

“Flying cars” for the masses may still be a thing of the future, but many unique visions of them have already lifted off the ground.

Silicon Valley startup Alef Aeronautics’ ‘Model A’ appears to be built just like a sports car, and you might not be able to see any difference from a distance. However, upon closer inspection, you will find that its entire body is made from mesh, and it has a central cabin completely isolated from its body.

When taking off, the Model A lifts into the air like any traditional electric Vehicle Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL). If you were waiting for some wings to eject and propel themselves out, though, you’d be sorely disappointed—or, rather, full-on amazed. 

Alef Aeronautics has instead found an innovative method that removes the need for wings and utilizes its mesh body to soar through the skies. 
 
Its cabin is attached to the vehicle on a gimbal-like contraption that allows it to face forward when driving down the roads, but in the air, the body will rotate around it to face horizontally and act as ‘wings’.

 
The decision to remove its wings and give its body dual purposes allows the Model A to double up as a road car and a flying vehicle. This is part of the company’s goal of solving the traffic problem in California by just simply gliding over it. 

In terms of its specs, it is entirely powered by batteries and can drive down roads at a distance of 200 miles and soar through 110 miles of air. Unfortunately, despite the Model A being designed by ex-Bugatti and Jaguar designer Hirash Razaghi, it will not drive at the speeds of such vehicles. Instead, it will crawl along the roads at 20 to 25 miles per hour. 
 
To be fair, the company expects that most customers will not want to drive around in it anyway, when the skies are quite literally the limit with this automobile. 
 
To take advantage of its flying capabilities, you will have to head down to an airport or a road-accessible helipad to take off and land.
 
Currently, the vehicle is missing approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Federal Aviation Administration. However, according to New Atlas, you only need a Part 107 drone license to operate the car. But as we’re still a ways off its official launch and final testings, there may still be a chance that future owners will need a pilot’s license.
 
Alef Aeronautics is taking preorders for Model A, which is slated to go for US$300,000 and will be delivered by late 2025.
 
 
 
[via New Atlas and GearJunkie, images via Alef Aeronautics]