Xpeng, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, has registered strong buyer interest after announcing its electric vehicle equipped with a personal-use aircraft.
According to Car and Driver, the car itself comes equipped with six-wheel drive, an extended-range powertrain that delivers more than 950 km of range on a single charge, bus-style rear doors, and seating for four passengers.
But the real highlight is the Land Aircraft Carrier, a personal aircraft that comes bundled with the car. The VTOL drone, capable of carrying a single human occupant into the sky, can be piloted manually or autonomously and recharges while stored in the vehicle’s cargo area.
It may sound like a futuristic concept pulled straight from a 2000s movie, but Xpeng appears determined to turn this vision into reality, with plans to begin production by the end of 2026.
The brand’s European executives have already indicated that the factory is ready to build the vehicle, and pre-production models are currently underway. Meanwhile, the company’s CEO has reportedly instructed the entire management team to learn how to pilot the aircraft.
So far, more than 7,000 people have already placed orders to receive one of these “flying cars.” However, the innovation raises important questions: would owners need a full pilot’s license, or would a drone operator certificate be sufficient?
For urban use, regulatory frameworks would still need to be established. In any case, one thing is certain: the future is here. Soon, instead of being stuck in traffic, you may simply park somewhere and take off in your own personal drone to arrive at your destination on time.
+ Dark Merlin: U.S. tests General Atomics’ new YFQ-42A fighter drone
Photos: Xpeng. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
