This New Flying Car Is A 3-Seater, Jet-Propelled eVTOL

A manned alpha prototype of an eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft has been unveiled that is making flying cars look not so impossible.

The experimental prototype LX-1’s aluminum frame was designed to test the propulsion system, consisting of four banks of at least 72 small vertical-lift fans. And it has two larger diameter fans at the rear, giving it some horizontal thrust, according to New Atlas.

Its LEO Coupe, which is designed by award-winning designer Carlos Salaff of SALAFF Automotive, has a revolutionary, proven electric propulsion system created by Pete Bitar of Electric Jet Aircraft, a DARPA-funded propulsion system. The aircraft is called a personal automobile for the sky by its creators.

The aircraft will have up to a zooming speed of 250 mph (400 kph) and be able to travel 300 miles (483 km) on a single charge.

The final version of the aircraft will run no less than 200 small vertical jets, each being 4.4 inches (11 cm) in diameter and producing 11.7 lb (5.3 kg) of thrust for a total of over 2,300 lb (1,043 kg) of thrust, Bitar now told New Atlas.

The aircraft will have an empty weight of 1,100 lb (499 kg) and be able to carry a 510 lb (231 kg) payload.

LEO plans to sell the Coupe as a personal eVTOL aircraft, promising a somewhat optimistic range of around 300 miles (480 km) out of just 66 kWh of battery, with a price tag of $459,900.

There is also a rapid-charging solution for the LEO Coupe, VertiStop. While LEO Coupe can be recharged at home and landed on just about any surface, travelers can also use VertiStop as a compact charging and landing pad.

VertiStop can be rapidly deployed on rooftops and parking structures. Supporting LEO Flight’s pathway to building an extensive network of charging and parking spots.

It also looks ideal for fire rescue, medevac, Coast Guard, tourism, exploration, and most terrain without developed road infrastructure.