The world's first real flying car, the Airspeeder MK4 has been unveiled by Alauda Aeronautics in Adelaide, South Australia. Airspeeder is a “crewed” flying car which uses electric manned multi-copters in a fusion of UAM and motorsport.

The new electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (EVTOL) aircraft can reach a top airspeed of 360 km/h (225 mph) in just 30 seconds from a grounded start. It has been designed for maximum agility at high speeds or low altitudes. And when they say “crewed,” it means this flying car is specifically ready to race at high speeds.

Alauda Aeronautics wants to make flying cars a genuine reality. "We, and the world, are ready for crewed flying car racing," says Matt Pearson, CEO of Alauda Aeronautics. "Now is the time for the world's most progressive, innovative, and ambitious automotive brands, OEM manufacturers, and motorsport teams to be part of a truly revolutionary new motorsport."

Airspeeder MK4 sustainable power

The Airspeeder MK4 is powered by a 1,000 kW (1,340 horsepower) turbogenerator that feeds power to the batteries and motors. Powered by green hydrogen fuel, the Airspeeder provides safe, reliable, and sustainable power over long distances and flight times via the sophisticated electric propulsion system. 

Coupled with advanced aerodynamics, and a take-off weight (MTOW) of under 950 kg, it's so efficient the Airspeed has a projected range of 300 km (188 miles).

The new aircraft is a progression of the remotely piloted MK3, which has completed over 350 test flights and two Airspeeder demonstration races in South Australia in 2022. And Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority supervised the flights.

Alauda Aeronautics is flight-testing the MK4. And it should be on the starting line at the Airspeeder Racing Championship in 2024. 

The company believes the Airspeeder racing series will be a testing ground for sustainable green propulsion systems. This technology has the potential to change how we all travel in the future. And they're open to any OEM partners willing to join them in what they call "a motorsport revolution."

The  Airspeeder racing series is actually more focused on reducing emissions via its sustainable green propulsion systems. It has a large and growing international fanbase. 

The company’s vision is a future where flying cars are a daily reality and a viable mode of urban transportation. 

The engineering and design team, drawn from Airbus, Boeing, Ferrari, MagniX, and McLaren, is confidently making innovations. And claim they will make air travel faster, more efficient, environmentally friendlier, and more accessible than ever before.

 Already aware that EVTOLs are "a trillion-dollar industry," Pearson sees "a very substantial market for private flying cars emerging in the near future."

Pearson adds: “In conventional aerospace, there are about as many private jets as there are commercial jets in operation. We believe it could be the same with flying cars one day, with a roughly similar number of commercial taxis and private cars initially."

"Once we can sell you a flying car for the same price as a Tesla, you’ll quickly see the balance shift. Today, private cars outnumber taxis by about 300 to one, so the potential for people to own and drive their own flying car one day is absolutely enormous. It’s a very exciting time." 

Team entries are now open for the Airspeeder crewed racing series.