This is the first flying Volkswagen

There are countless prototypes of flying taxis. The last one, the one presented at the end of July by the Volkswagen subsidiary in China and called “V.MO”. An eVTOL (for “electric vertical takeoff and landing”), an electric aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing.

Eventually, what looks like a drone in XXL version, with 11.2 meters long and 10.6 meters wingspan, should be able to transport four passengers and their luggage for a maximum distance of 200 km and without any pilot on hand. .

Test flights are planned for the end of the year, a Volkswagen statement said, before delivering a more advanced prototype in 2023.

For whom and for what uses?

“Urban air mobility is a growing market that aims to use airspace for short and medium-haul connections, especially over and between major cities. In China, it is expected to play an important role in the future of urban transport.” and intercity in its congested megacities,” the statement said.

Initially, Volkswagen would offer this mode of transport “as a premium product for wealthy tech-savvy Chinese customers, for example for VIP air transport services.”

First flights for Paris 2024

Many car manufacturers are exploring this area of ​​urban air mobility, as L’Usine Digitale reminds us, citing Suzuki, Honda, Hyundai, Fiat-Chrysler and even Toyota, Audi and Porsche.

For its part, Renault unveiled its Air4 last November, presenting it as the first French flying car. And what to expect to discover the future electric 4L.

At the last VivaTech fair in Paris, we were able to discover the flying taxi of another actor, Volocopter. This German company I got the certification of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) last year, in order to carry out test flights and has also established a partnership with the ADP group and the RATP as part of these test flights.

Objective: to democratize these flights by offering the most accessible prices possible and the ambition to launch the first general public offer on the occasion of the next Olympic Games in 2024, in Paris.