It seems like flying cars are announced every other
month and the latest is the AeroMobil 5.0 VTOL (vertical take-off and landing)
concept. Designed to complement the AeroMobil 4.0 STOL, which is designed for intra-city
travel, the 5.0 VTOL is an electric flying car which is envisioned to have a
four-seat interior and an autonomous flight mode.
The 5.0 VTOL has two
electrically driven rotors which are mounted on wings that swing into place.
The concept also features a rear-mounted pusher propeller for forward thrust.
AeroMobil says the wings provide “maximum efficiency
in flight” while the two rear tails offer enhanced flight control and
stability. The concept is also slated to have an adaptive suspension to provide
smooth landings and take-offs.
The futuristic styling continues in the interior as
the flying car has a relatively stark cockpit with a rectangular steering
wheel, wood trim and an assortment of high-tech displays. AeroMobil says each
person will have access to a “personalized in-flight experience” as they can
use one of the model’s various screens to stay connected with the outside
world.
Despite being a concept, AeroMobil intends to put
the 5.0 VTOL into production after the 4.0 STOL is launched in 2020. The
company expects this will happen in the next seven to ten years. That’s quite a
ways off but AeroMobil says it’s a realistic timeline as it acknowledges the
“reality of building and scaling the infrastructure” for the model as well as
getting regulatory approval.
