A Chinese engineering company has showcased a hybrid vehicle that can operate on public roads and ascend into the air like a helicopter. This news arrives via Gizmochina, which cites a post from a Chinese auto blogger on a major social network. The report captures a demonstration where a station wagon-style prototype lifts off, its roof-mounted drivetrain housing four large propellers reminiscent of four-bladed helicopter blades. Notably, the propellers engage for a noticeable period before liftoff, lasting about a minute as the system powers up.
Once airborne, the vehicle hovers several meters above the ground, then advances briefly in a forward path before returning to its original position and landing with a noticeable lack of maneuvering. The maneuver appears steady yet cautious, underscoring the prototype’s current stage of development rather than a fully refined flight profile.
The publication notes that the driving and flying concept behind the XPeng project aims to lessen the burden on crowded highways and mitigate urban noise in megacities. The leaked video suggests that, in its present form, the prototype faces significant challenges. The propulsion system produces a loud roar and generates air currents strong enough to rattle nearby trees, illustrating the substantial engineering hurdles still to overcome.
Gizmochina comments that the flying car will require considerable additional work before it could be considered viable for production or consumer testing. The timing for a consumer release or even a broader demonstration remains unclear, with no official timetable announced by the company.
A separate news item indicates ongoing coverage in Canadian media about a separate incident involving a stolen electric vehicle, noting an error in the Tesla mobile app. This parallel topic highlights the diverse conversations around electric mobility and smart vehicle ecosystems in North America.