Alef Aeronautics has unveiled the first video of its flying car prototype, Model Zero, which features vertical takeoff capabilities, reminiscent of scenes from Hollywood sci-fi. Unlike traditional flying cars resembling helicopters, the Model Zero is designed to look like a conventional car and can ascend vertically, similar to drones, without needing a runway.
The prototype recently conducted test flights in San Mateo, California, demonstrating its ability to transition from driving on roads to hovering over parked cars. Key features include eight hidden rotors for vertical lift and a design that allows the body to rotate 90 degrees for flight. The vehicle offers a driving range of 320 km and a flight range of 160 km, with a maximum road speed of 40 km/h.
Alef plans to move the Model Zero into production, with pre-orders currently available at a price of $299,999. The company aims to develop a four-seater variant called Model Z by 2035, although concerns about regulatory and technical challenges persist in the industry.
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