XPeng AeroHT's Flying Car No Longer a Dream - Coming 2025

I've seen a lot - from sleek sports cars that purr like contented kittens to monstrous sea vessels that plow through the waves with the grace of a walrus. But today, I find myself scratching my head in amusement and mild disbelief as XPeng AeroHT's "modular flying car" leaves the realm of fantasy and heads for our roads and skies. Strap in, folks, because this is one journey that promises to take us to the skies, or maybe just keep us grounded in disbelief.

XPeng AeroHT, the electric aviation arm of XPeng Inc., recently spilled the beans about not one but two of their so-called "flying cars" during a press event at CES in Las Vegas. Now, before you start picturing the DeLorean from "Back to the Future" or the Jetsons' family car, hold on to your propellers, because this is different. This is XPeng's take on the future of personal transportation.

I wrote about this vehiculiar-aerial contraption before but the big news is that XPeng AeroHT is promising to open pre-orders for this modular marvel in Q4 of this year, with mass production set to take off in 2025. According to AeroHT, this ain't any longer just another concept. Oh no, they've apparently completed all the necessary tests during the R&D phase, and now they're gearing up for mass production. 

First off - the Land Aircraft Carrier. I must admit, when I hear those words, I'm envisioning a colossal behemoth capable of ferrying fighter jets and tanks. But no, this "Land Aircraft Carrier" is not what you think. It's a 6x6 all-wheel-drive EV with a little secret hiding in its rear - an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. So, essentially, it's like an oversized SUV that moonlights as a futuristic helicopter, or should I say, "heli-SUV." Someone cue the theme music from "Transformers"!

The ground module, which still sounds like something from a sci-fi movie, can accommodate 4-5 passengers. It's powered by an extended-range electric powertrain that can recharge the eVTOL air module multiple times. That's right, folks, your car can charge your aircraft. Talk about multitasking! With its three-axle, six-wheel configuration, you get 6x6 all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering. Sounds impressive, right?

Now, for the air module - the eVTOL. It's a fully-electric piloted aircraft that can perform vertical takeoff and landing, and low-altitude flights. Plus, it's got an electric propulsion system that meets single-point failure safety requirements. And don't worry, you can switch between manual and autonomous flight modes. The cockpit boasts a 270° panoramic view, which is perfect for taking in the scenery as you hover above. 

So what about the all-important detail - the price? Founder He Xiaopeng dropped a hint, saying it would be in the ballpark of RMB 1 million ($140,500). But, my friends, we'll have to wait for the final design reveal for the exact numbers. In the meantime, let's all collectively imagine what else we could buy for $140,500…. A Tesla Model S Plaid and some change? Lucid Air Sapphire is out of the budget and we could grab couple of other half-decent EVs for that price but - none of them comes even close to this beast.

But let's not forget, the Land Aircraft Carrier isn't the only star in AeroHT's show. They've also got a flying supercar that can, well, fly. Remember when we used to call supercars "fast" just because they could hit 60 mph in a few seconds? Well, this one can do that and then some - vertically. The electric aviation arm put on quite a show at CES, with the supercar seamlessly transitioning from ground mode to flight mode. Imagine going from zero to "airborne" in a matter of seconds. Now that's what I call a traffic solution!

Look, I'm all for innovation, but skepticism is my middle name. When AeroHT introduced the sixth generation of their flying car back in 2021, it was supposed to hit the streets (and skies) by 2024 and cost around $156,000. But as it turns out, their attention has shifted now to the Land Aircraft Carrier, at least for now. So, while we're dazzled by all the flying antics, we'll have to wait and see if either of the two becomes a reality.

XPeng AeroHT's modular flying car is a head-turner, no doubt about it. It's got all the makings of a sci-fi dream come true, with a hint of "what were they thinking?" thrown in for good measure. One thing's for sure - they've got us talking, and they've got us dreaming of a future where the skies are filled with flying cars. Until then, we'll keep our feet firmly planted on the ground and our eyes on the horizon. These are exciting times for sure.