New videos from Alef Aeronautics show the company’s flying car initially driving like a road vehicle, then taking off into a flight that takes it over another vehicle in a simulation of a blocked traffic scenario.
The model shown in the demos is the Alef Model Zero Ultralight which, as the name suggests, is a lighter prototype used for research and development. It has some key differences from the company’s first production vehicle, the Alef Model A.
Alef’s Model Zero Ultralight takes flight over a stopped car.
While the Model Zero Ultralight has a smaller battery to keep its weight down, the larger battery in Alef’s Model A is expected to have a flight range of 110 miles or a driving range of 200 miles. Those numbers may increase if the company adopts new battery technology.
Thinner and smaller wheels than a traditional car also help reduce the vehicle’s weight while allowing it to drive in various conditions.
The flying car can drive like a normal car on the ground, but the fun part is when it gets airborne.
While the Model Zero Ultralight requires an experienced test pilot right now, Alef CEO and co-founder Jim Dukhovny says the Model A will be much easier for an average person to fly.
The optimal cruise speed in the air for the Model A is expected to be about 100mph, with the top speed predicted to be about 225mph. On the ground, the car is currently registered as a low-speed vehicle for research and development purposes, which means it is limited to about 25mph top speed. Dukhovny says higher ground speed is possible and the eventual goal; it just requires crash testing and regulatory approval. Until then, the company is not yet ready to crash its prototype.
Alef flying over a stopped car on a road, simulating a traffic blockage
Alef is accepting preorders for its Model A, which is expected to cost around $300,000. Like most startups, the price will likely decrease as production scales up.
To see this flying car in action, check out the video in this article.
