Aircraft

XPeng's X2 flying car makes first public flight in Dubai

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The X2 flying car in action in Dubai
XPeng
The X2 flying car in action in Dubai
XPeng
The X2 is an all-electric two-seat flying car with a carbon fiber body
XPeng
XPeng's X2 flying taxi completed its first public flight in Dubai earlier this week
XPeng
Render of the X2 flying car
XPeng
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Chinese electric-vehicle-maker XPeng has been developing a teardrop-shaped eVTOL to serve as a flying taxi of the future, and has just flown it in public for the first time. The short flight marks an important step forward for the ambitious and well-financed firm, which has even more audacious flying cars planned for the future.

We caught wind of the planned debut flight for the X2 in Dubai earlier this month following local news reports, with the XPeng spinoff AeroHT needing a special permit from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority. This came after an operations risk assessment cleared the way for Monday’s flight that took place at Skydive Dubai in front of 150 onlookers, with the city’s dramatic skyline serving as a backdrop.

“XPeng’s X2's public display in Dubai represents a significant milestone for XPeng AeroHT and the international achievement of flying cars,” said Brian Gu, Vice Chairman and President of XPeng. “Dubai is a world-renowned 'City of Innovation,’ which is the reason we decided to hold the X2 first public flight event here. Today's flight is a major step in XPeng exploration of future mobility."

XPeng's X2 flying taxi completed its first public flight in Dubai earlier this week
XPeng

The X2 is an all-electric two-seat flying car with a carbon fiber body and eight rotors. It is designed to soar to altitudes of up to 1,000 m (3,281 ft), cruise at up to 130 km/h (81 mph) and fly for up to 35 minutes on each charge.

Last year, the company outlined what would become the X2’s successor, a sixth-generation flying supercar it claims will have the ability to travel by air and on the roads. AeroHT says more details on how this would work, along with the design of the car itself, will be revealed at its 1024 XPENG Tech Day later this month.

To see the X2’s first public flight in Dubai, check out the video below.

Source: XPeng

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7 comments
Towerman
Outstanding !!!!!!!!
First Ehang NOW Xpeng !!!!!!!
Jinpa
What's more amazing is the collection of buildings in the background. In Dubai? Imagine trying to evacuate those buildings in a hurry, or getting effective fire suppression to them. Very tall filing cabinets for people. About the X2: 3,000 ft altitude means a lot of bouncing around from ground thermals, and 35 min flying time would require a lot of recharging stations. With ascent and descent taking about five minutes each, that's not much flying time or distance. Needs bigger batteries. No pricing in the story.
clay
With **zero** failsafe mechanisms (aka: glide-slope; auto-rotation) it seems radical no/low altitude auto-chute or even a retro-rocket deployment system. This system should account for survival of a powered or non-powered "hard landing" in any possible orientation (x,y,z,t).
Rocky Stefano
As a frequent flier I'd rather fly in a helicopter.
BlueOak
These over-sized drones are interesting but how about demonstrating some real payload capability simulating carrying people and doing so with real world range.
Towerman
@Jinpa No you are chasing up hot wind.
Helicopters fly at 3000ft everyday, no bouncing ;) multirotors can react quicker to turbulance so will be even more smooth in the air than helicopters.
Your point about recharging stations is Moot ! Stations will be built systematically as evtols become mainstream its a non issue. Moreover swappable batteries will make it even more easier than it already would be.

And 35min flying time is a lot for in and around city flying so again your point is moot. 5 minutes for landing ?

This is not a blimp son its a multirotor. Come to me and i'll show you how its done in 30 seconds ;)

@clay with zero understanding it seems that you are still stuck in the 60s... evtols dont need chutes or runways or a "glidescope" These are not mechanically breakdown prone liquid driven engines, they are electric far superior than any ICE engine can ever strive to be. E motors does not fail but have redundant motors anyway, this in itself is far superior than a dumb chute. You learn something everyday eh ;)

@BlueOak
Already done ehang flies commercially everyday, Volo also have done it many times. Time to take your head out of the sand ;)
Steven Clarkson
As an everyday flyer i would prefer this over a helicopter for quick transport around the city and the outskirts.

WithEhang currently raking up commercial hours like sweetcakes !

Well done Xpeng @