It’s flying into the longer term — of driving.
The world’s first flying automotive made its grand debut Monday on the Detroit Auto Show — wowing crowds just two months after gaining legal approval.
California-based Alef Aeronautics unveiled its swanky Model A prototype, which closely resembles a typical sedan apart from its UFO-esque bubble-like seating area sufficiently big to suit two passengers with an affinity for soaring.
The history-making vehicle was not flown on the annual event — Alef remains to be roughly two years away from starting production on the primary flyable automotive.
“It’s still not the ultimate consumer version,” founder and CEO Jim Dukhovny told Robb Report.
“But at this point, it’s pretty close.”
When it hits the market, the Model A will come attached to a $300,000 price tag.
California-based Alef Aeronautics unveiled its swanky Model A prototype on the annual Detroit Auto Show.Alef Aeronautics / SWNS
The flying automotive was awarded a Special Airworthiness Certification from the Federal Aviation Administration in June, meaning the corporate shall be allowed to check it on each the road and within the air.
Dukhovny, whose father was famous musician and poet Leonid Dukhovny, originally imagined that the flying automotive could help save time wasted in traffic, but said, “Each time I discuss with any individual, people give you latest use cases.”
The fully electric vehicle might be driven as much as 200 miles on public roads, but it could possibly also launch vertically into the air with a flying range of 110 miles.
The automotive will offer âcinematicâ 180-plus degree views, the corporate said.Alef Aeronautics / SWNS
Alef’s fully electric Model A is designed to drive as much as 200 miles and fly 110 miles.Alef Aeronautics / SWNS
Alef founder and CEO Jim Dukhovny said he originally envisioned the flying automotive as a solution to beat traffic.Alef Aeronautics / SWNS
The cabin is engineered to rotate and stabilize the driving force/flyer as they weave through the air.
Plus, the automotive will offer “cinematic” 180-plus degree views, the corporate said.
The conveyance measures about 17 feet long, 7 feet wide and 6 feet high — much like the scale of an SUV — and is designed to slot in any automobile parking space or garage.
When it hits the market, the Model A could have a $300,000 price tag.Alef Aeronautics / SWNS
Since it is geared toward most people, the Model A was designed to be easy to learn, especially considering there shall be little air traffic to take care of while learning the ropes.
“I can teach you find out how to fly and drive this in about quarter-hour or less,” Dukhovny told Robb Report.
“When you can tell the difference between the best, left, up, down, back and front, you possibly can do that. It’s just about the one controls it has.”