Power of the Sun

January 6, 2021 / by China Daily Lifestyle Premium

In the automotive battle to produce the vehicle that gives us most by taking the least, California-based Aptera Motors has just announced the first solar electric vehicle (sEV) – one that proclaims no charging for most daily use and can travel up to 1,000 miles on a single charge, which would shatter industry performance achievements to date. Drivers, say goodbye to that dreaded range anxiety.

“With Aptera’s Never Change technology, you’re driven by the power of the sun,” explains co-founder and CEO Chris Anthony. “Our built-in solar array keeps your battery pack topped off so anywhere you want to go, you just go.”

Through breakthroughs in lightweight structures, low-drag aerodynamics and cooling, material science, battery efficiency and manufacturing processes, Aptera is set to deliver the most efficient three-wheeled, two-person vehicle on the road. It’s made from composites many times stronger than steel, allowing the unlikely body shape to slide through the air with an unforeseen degree of drag coefficient. It can also accommodate 180 solar cells designed into the body structure of the vehicle, meaning the car can travel up to 45 miles per day on free power from its integrated solar panels alone.

This mobile solar innovation is no slouch, either; expect 0 to 60 in as little as 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 110mph. Perhaps most remarkable of all, Aptera lends itself to rapid, high-volume mass production, given that the vehicle has just four main pieces. To that end, orders for the solar star of the road are already being taken online. Consumers can design and customise their own Aptera and choose between different ranges of 250, 400, 600 or 1,000 miles, while prices start from US$25,900.

Urban Revolution

October 7, 2020 / by Philippe Dova

At first glance, it appears to be a cute little car – but you’d be wise to take another look. Launched for the French and European markets this summer, the Citroën Ami is a light quadricycle that boasts a smooth, clutch-less ride and instant acceleration from a standstill. It’s capable of speeds of up to 45km/h.

On an easy, silent and smooth drive, the Ami is 100% electric, with zero CO2 emissions. Like a smartphone, its battery charges in just three hours via a standard electrical socket. At just 2.41 metres in length, it’s ultra-compact for easy parking, but spacious on the inside and is suitable for two people side by side.

Operated via a subscription-service model, intriguingly, the Ami doesn’t require a driving licence – making it an ideal mobility solution that’s easily accessible to a large number of city-dwellers as young as 14 in France and 16 in other European countries, though they’ll need to have a road safety certificate. The Ami is designed as much for the teenager without a driving licence who wants to visit a friend’s house or go to school independently as it is for an older couple who already have a primary vehicle, but who prefer Ami’s agility for running quick errands. This electric wonder is also likely to appeal to businesspeople who wish to go about their daily commutes in urban areas with peace of mind.

Driving Futurism

April 15, 2020 / by China Daily Lifestyle Premium

All hail a car that feels as much like a design studio on wheels as it does a conventional motor car. Upgrading the example set by last year’s “45” concept electronic vehicle (EV), which stripped away complexity in favour of clean lines and minimalistic structures, the Hyundai Global Design Center has unleashed Prophecy, a marvel of aerodynamic design that the company heralds as an expansion of its so-called mantra of “optimistic futurism”.

Think of it as a mobile utopia between man and machine. “We have brought to life yet another icon that pushes Hyundai’s design vision to even broader horizons,” says Lee Sang-yup, the head of Hyundai Global Design. “A part of that expansion is what we call ‘optimistic futurism’, a design concept in which our aim is to forge an emotional connection between humans and automobiles.”

On first sight, the Prophecy appears to deliver. The curvaceous, sleek body has the feel of being a perfectly weathered stone – or an iMac mouse (in black) on wheels. It’s cut by a clean and simple streamlined effect, which extends from front to rear with minimalist restraint. All of this underlines not only its high-key style, but also the timelessness of its design.

Pleasantly, the transparent acrylic material provides a clear view of the functional components inside. This design feature is integrated in the spoiler, the headlamp and the camera monitoring system, calling attention to the functional beauty of the components.

Va Va Vroom!

March 18, 2020 / by Philippe Dova

Why such a passion for Citroën? 

The first Citroën to catch my attention was the C4, in 2006 when I was just 11 years old. I thought it was so cool when the centre part of the steering wheel stayed as you turned, which blew my mind. I learned that Citroën cars are all so unique, especially the classic ones, and I read about everything Citroën on the internet. I researched its history in Hong Kong and managed to find some old advertisements in newspapers,
which amazed me – especially how early they were introduced to the Hong Kong market. I also watched tons of old Hong Kong movies, mostly from the ’50s to ’70s, just to find shots of Citroën in the city. 

What’s the process of joining the club?

It’s not necessary to own a Citroën to join. As long as one is interested to learn about Citroën, all are welcome – and they can join our Facebook group [hkdsclub] to find out more. 

What’s the brand’s history in Hong Kong and why are so few of them seen on our streets today?

Hong Kong’s first agent, Messrs. Bitto & Co Ltd, was established in 1922. Although Citroën was popular in the ’70s, it later became unpopular in Hong Kong due to a bad reputation for its complicated suspension system and its reliability. Because of Citroën’s uniqueness, mechanics in Hong Kong often refuse to repair them, as they require special skills and patience.

What car are you driving now? And what’s your dream Citroën?

I’m driving a 2014 DS3 Cabrio Racing. My dream Citroën is the Ami 6 from the ’60s. I like its quirky styling and it brings me so much joy just to look at it. I think the Ami 6 is a typical Citroën, as it’s a love-or-hate relationship. Some even say it’s the ugliest car in the world. But I think it would be a blast to drive, as it shares the 2CV platform.

What are the rarest, the oldest and the most recent Citroëns in the club?

The oldest and rarest classic Citroën is a 1967 DS21 Safari. There’s only one in Hong Kong and it was bought by our vice-president, Michaël Noronha, at an auction in the UK. The rarest modern Citroën is my 2014 DS3 Cabrio Racing. Only one in ten is right-hand drive, out of 100 in the world, and it’s also the only one in Hong Kong; I bought it from a Citroën dealer in Ireland. The most recent is a 2019 C3 Aircross.

2019 marked the marque’s 100th birthday. How did you celebrate?

We organised a trip to France and attended the Centenary Celebration Meeting in La Ferté-Vidame in a brand-new C5 Aircross we rented from Citroën. We visited André Citroën’s tomb and the old Javel factory.  We were driven in a DS Cabriolet and toured around Paris at night. We visited a lot of Citroën-related locations and also drove a Traction Avant Familiale on a test circuit at Cité de l’Automobile in Mulhouse. 

Any especially fond memories at La Ferté-Vidame? 

We were overwhelmed by the sea of Citroëns, not to mention some of the rarest models, including a large number of DS Cabriolets and Chaprons, an SM Opéra and an official collection of concept cars. It was simply heaven for us. We also had the pleasure to meet Henri-Jacques Citroën, the grandson of André Citroën and Linda Jackson, at the time the marque’s CEO. We also met a lot of new friends from all over the world who share the same passion for Citroën. 

This year, Citroën will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the GS and the SM. What do you think about these models? 

I never get tired of the side profile of an SM. It’s so elegant and timeless, but it still looks so futuristic today. As for the G series, my favourite is the later GSA model, because it has the funkiest dashboard of all-time!

Best in Class

March 4, 2020 / by China Daily Lifestyle Premium

Image above:  8-Litre. This is the last Bentley designed by W.O. Bentley in its entirety, and the one most would regard as his masterpiece.

Although its winged “B” label has been the property of Germany’s Volkswagen Group for more than a decade, few automotive brands are more British than Bentley, founded by Walter Owen Bentley in 1919. His ambition was not just to build a fast and good car, but the best in class. It’s a promise that the brand’s legacy upholds a century later.

The name Bentley evokes gin and tonics, gentlemen’s clubs, village cricket greens and Harris tweed, while also recalling the five Le Mans wins of the “Bentley Boys” between 1924 and 1930, and the shapeliness of the iconic R-type Continental coupé of the 1950s. Badges apart, few vehicles could be less obviously similar than Bentley’s Speed 6 racer of the 1920s (which, straightforward and inelegant, was dismissed by his chief Le Mans adversary, Ettore Bugatti, as “the world’s fastest truck”) and the almost femininely graceful Continental.

Yet both serve as clear inspirations for the recent Bentley Continental GT coupé and its most outrageous incarnation, the Supersports. The latter is the fastest and most powerful street-legal Bentley ever, a 621-horsepower monster that thunders to a top speed of almost 330kph (and thus breaks the magical 200mph barrier), doing so either on gasoline or biofuel.

As homage to the first 100 years of this honourable marque, publisher Assouline is releasing The Impossible Collection of Bentley. In a hand-stitched, leather-bound, limited-edition case, the tome presents an exhaustive list of the most groundbreaking Bentley models, with detailed critiques and explanations relating to each, as well as the various creative avenues Bentley took during the manufacturing process.

The Wheel Deal

November 27, 2019 / by China Daily Lifestyle Premium

British marque Aston Martin has been increasingly pushing the creative design portfolio of late. Having recently announced a luxury submarine with Triton and a hybrid-electric Volante Vision concept vehicle that takes off vertically, the luxury carmaker has revealed plans for the AMB 001 – its first motorcycle, designed in collaboration with iconic British performance-engineering motorcycle brand Brough Superior. If James Bond swaps his Aston for two wheels, expect the AMB 001 to be 007’s preferred ride. 

“This is what we believe a cutting-edge design motorcycle should be and we are very proud to see the Aston Martin wings on a motorcycle for the first time,” says Aston Martin chief creative officer and executive vice-president Marek Reichman of the vehicle, which is presented in the official Aston Martin racing colours of stirling green and lime essence, and which features matte-black wheels. “The finished product is truly a beautiful motorcycle – a design and engineering work of art.” 

The AMB 001 displays a level of elegance not ordinarily found on racing bikes. Beauty and power are the order of the day for this track-only racer composed of carbon fibre, titanium and billet aluminium. With a 977cc V-twin engine and a turbo-charged output of 180hp, the bike boasts a strong, sculptural body form accentuated by its carbon fibre fin – a design inspired by the side strake on Aston Martin cars – that runs along the full length of the stirling green tank, passing under the saddle and out onto the rear, creating a “flowing form” along the top. 

“Aston Martin may be 106 years old, but the forward momentum of this company is inspiring,” says Reichman. “The same people who work on the design of our cars have worked on the AMB 001. Unlike at other car companies, our designers have the full breadth of experience and I think this is showcased in this aspirational bike.” 

Sky Rush

November 13, 2019 / by China Daily Lifestyle Premium

While notions of flying cars and air taxis have been the sci-fi darlings of the world’s manufacturers and visual media over the last decade, a study by Porsche Consulting forecasts that the urban air mobility market will really pick up speed after 2025. As a result, German carmaker Porsche is collaborating with aerospace giant Boeing to explore the premium urban air mobility market and has debuted sleek, seductive images of its design. 

“Porsche is looking to enhance its scope as a sports car manufacturer by becoming a leading brand for premium mobility,” says Detlev von Platen, a member of the executive board for sales and marketing at Porsche AG. “In the longer term, this could mean moving into the third dimension of travel. We are combining strengths to address a potential key market segment of the future.”

The study, which considers the market potential for such premium vehicles, suggests urban air mobility solutions will transport passengers quicker and more efficiently than the current methods of terrestrial transport – at a lower cost and with greater flexibility. 

It’s not like Porsche is the first to jump on the air mobility sector; flying car start-up Kitty Hawk, backed by Google co-founder Larry Page, recently revealed its latest vertical take-off and landing craft, while Germany’s Volocopter demonstrated an air taxi earlier this year. (Airbus and Uber have both promised flying taxis in the near future as well.) 

The Drone Zone

May 29, 2019 / by China Daily Lifestyle Premium

Image above: Ehang 184

It’s official: passenger drones are set to be the next big thing in aviation. Renowned brands from Airbus to Ehang and Uber are deep into the safety testing phase and are seeking approval for a range of autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) designs that have wowed trade fairs around the world. There are quadcopters, multicopters, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) models, and winged drones, all utilising a number of stunning advances made over the past 20 years in aerodynamics. 

Amid much fanfare, China’s Ehang began flight-testing the Ehang 184 single-person AAV in February. A super-cool single-seat VTOL, it certainly caters to our collective futuristic imagination. Guangzhou vice-mayor Wang Dong waved the flag for the nation – high above the hazardous “dead man’s zone” from 30 to 300 feet – at speeds of up to 80mph. “Performing manned test flights enables us to demonstrate the safety and stability of our vehicles,” says Ehang founder and CEO Huazhi Hu. “I’m really excited to see what the future holds for us in terms of air mobility.”

What the future holds is, well, somewhat up in the air. While there’s collective recognition of the great potential of urban air mobility to improve our lives, regulatory bodies and consumer mindsets (cyber-attacks, anyone?) are still in need of a lot of convincing – and the various players are experiencing a restless wait on the tarmac to be cleared for take-off. 

Most companies and countries are looking to bodies such as the United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organisation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US for leadership on the manifold issues. And for a company like Airbus, at least, that seems to be a good thing.“In our communication with the FAA, we have found that they are eager to find regulatory solutions to the complex problems around public safety and acceptance,” says Zach Lovering, project executive of the aerospace corporation’s A³ winged drone, Vahana. 

The Airbus A³ Vahana stands a good chance of getting off the ground before its competitors for one very crucial reason. “As an airplane, Vahana will be type-certified to fly passengers,” confirms Lovering, who envisions the “safe, reliable and quiet” drone being used by everyday commuters as a cost-comparable replacement for short-range urban transport methods such as cars or trains; as a cargo delivery platform; as an ambulance; as a search-and-rescue vehicle; as a mobile hospital; as a limousine; and even as a tool to deploy modular infrastructure at disaster sites. 

However, the regulatory framework for copter-type drones like the Ehang 184 clearly needs work before such aircraft can conform to the standards of airworthiness signified by the FAA’s type certificate. Among the policy hurdles facing products like the Ehang 184, the Workhorse SureFly and the Astro Passenger Drone in the US are the current rules stating that aircraft carrying passengers must be under “operational control” – not quite the same as a human pilot being able to take over the controls from a remote command station. 

That said, Ehang recently struck a deal with the Nevada governor’s office to develop the Ehang 184 at the state’s FAA-approved test site, marking a step in the right direction. 

Astro Aerospace, under the Northrop Grumman umbrella, is so confident in the prospects that it went public last year on the strength of its 16-rotor VTOL. Cynics may see a looming disaster akin to the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s, since drone taxis could, at worst, remain grounded due to regulatory and utility issues. But Astro is upbeat. “We’re excited to be giving the opportunity to everyone who has dreamed of flying the ability to experience the thrill in a safe and controlled environment with the Astro Passenger Drone,” says Astro CEO Bruce Bent. 

Interestingly, in Hong Kong, the Civil Aviation Department’s (CAD) provisions for airworthiness equally apply to manned and unmanned aircraft. So does this make Hong Kong a surprise candidate for a passenger drone boom? That notion may be pie in the sky, again because of safety concerns. “The pilotless aircraft or remotely controlled aircraft may have many limitations with the ‘see-and-avoid’ concept… It may take a while before the International Civil Aviation Organisation will issue common standards for the world to follow,” remarks a CAD spokesman.

Infrastructure is another hurdle – one that, along with downtime, insurance rates and electricity, ramps up the cost of the technology. To differentiate it from regular air transport, drone operators will need to build drone ports in both population centres and popular destinations – which will be right up there with the world’s most expensive real estate.

Hence, luxury rides are set to be the first phase of this new market. This will enable companies to establish infrastructure and flight paths while negotiating with aviation bodies for more widespread and lower-priced fleets in the future. “As with nearly all new tech, we’ll charge a premium at first, since we’ll only be able to serve a small portion of the market, and as our operations expand, we’ll serve more,” says Lovering. 

The appeal for executives and socialites is obvious: bypass the road traffic and clear your head with a 360-degree surround view. Some may be able to set up their own mini drone port on their extensive grounds, while penthouses in cities such as Hong Kong, Shanghai or Tokyo might one day incorporate flight ports, leading to a new era of Blade Runner-style architecture. 

Rolls Up

September 12, 2018 / by China Daily Lifestyle Premium

Supersonic: The Return

July 4, 2018 / by Ben Berg

Image above: Up in the sky – it’s NASA’s Low-Boom Flight Demonstration aircraft

“I feel the need… the need for speed!” Tom Cruise famously exclaimed in the 1986 film Top Gun. While he was talking about jet fighter aircraft from the surrounds of a military academy, the reality for commercial travellers on global flight paths is that despite upgrades in the comfort and fuel efficiency of aeroplanes over the last two decades, they haven’t gotten any faster. As a result, speed has become the new commercial gain line after so long in stasis. 

The only way to get there remains supersonic flight, despite Concorde going out of service in 2003. NASA has started production of a plane that will fly faster than the speed of sound, but unlike Concorde, the sound of the sonic boom will be “nearly silent”. 

If all goes to plan, the piloted X-plane will be built and delivered to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center by the end of 2021, with the aim of gaining approval for commercial use by 2025. The reduced boom will make overland flights viable – something Concorde could never achieve, which meant mostly flying transatlantic routes. Concorde flew New York to London in three-and-a-half hours for a flight that ordinarily takes around seven hours. 

The High Seas

April 6, 2018 / by China Daily Lifestyle Premium

Image above: Se77antasette

How would you classify or segment Benetti’s customers in Asia?

We’re very fortunate to have a very strong group of Benetti owners throughout our region; their yachts are often cruising and being enjoyed by their owners and guests. As a custom builder, each of our yachts is unique – and so are their owners. It’s impossible to categorise them and their use. It’s the immense diversity, flexibility and capability of our yachts that appeals to this market, as well as the ultimate luxury and sophistication that is the hallmark of the Benetti range.

What are the differences between the Hong Kong and Mainland China markets? 

I wouldn’t say there’s too much difference between the two markets. Many of our owners enjoy their yachts almost every week and use them for day-boating around the region. But with the extensive capability of cruising in a Benetti, our fleet can also be found cruising the distant waters throughout Asia and beyond.

A number of Chinese conglomerates have taken action to get into the business, from acquiring famous brands – for example, Shangdong Heavy acquired Ferretti in 2012 and China Zhongwang acquired a majority stake in SilverYachts in 2017 – to building yachts in China for the domestic market. How’s China doing in terms of branding and manufacturing? 

The luxury yacht market has evolved over many, many years and is now a huge global market. Each shipyard works hard for its own identity and unique proposition. This has driven the quality, size and design of yachts to new heights – and we’re still developing. Every year, we introduce new concepts and new styles. Our recently presented Oasis and Se77antasette ships show yet another level of yacht design and building. It’s only natural for Chinese conglomerates to see this industry as excellent diversification for their portfolios and an opportunity for involvement in an ultimate luxury arena – and I’m sure this trend will continue in the future as the Chinese shipbuilding market grows and takes its full share of the marketplace.

How strongly does the overall world economy affect demand for yachts?

Confidence is key to all high-value luxury brands; when the markets are suffering, so do the order books. When one market is suffering, though, another can be booming, so in the end we focus where the interest is and keep moving forward. 

Now based in Hong Kong, do you get the sense that it’s the boating capital of Asia? 

It is certainly the regional hub and we have a very high concentration of ethical industry professionals here, which is of great benefit to the potential and existing yacht owners. 

Especially in Hong Kong, space is critical and seems to be more difficult to secure than other places in the world. Does the city face a shortage of moorings? What are the main barriers to entry for boating enthusiasts? 

It’s true that there are restrictions here that are challenging boat owners – the lack of available berthing is the principal problem. There are industry lobby groups working to try to change this, as well as some operational and cruising restrictions. But with a Benetti, you aren’t restricted to one area of boating, as our yachts have extensive range and can easily cruise far from Hong Kong. We’re also seeing local buyers expanding their fleet and buying additional superyachts for other areas, such as the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Because the relationship for a Benetti owner is direct with the shipyard for after-sales and service, we have the capability to look after our yachts wherever they are in the world. So the owners aren’t limited to cruising where their dealer is based.

Fully Charged

April 6, 2018 / by Simon Webster

Image above: The hyper-fast Tesla Roadster

They may not emit the blood-curdling sound of traditional muscle cars, but this new generation of electric-powered supercars is promising to be just as fast – and stylish. With governments around the world introducing legislation to outlaw the internal combustion engine in the coming decades, the auto industry is undergoing its biggest revolution since Henry Ford ushered in assembly-line mass production with the Model T in 1913.

Thanks to hybrid or all-electric engines and online connectivity, cars will be environmentally cleaner, more energy-efficient, smarter and safer in the years ahead. The days of the gas-guzzling, high-powered V12 engine may be numbered, but huge strides in technology are allowing designers and engineers to produce cars that are equally fast yet tick all the environmental boxes.

Tesla, a pioneer in mass production of electric cars, has announced the Roadster, which the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, says will deliver a “hardcore smackdown to gasoline cars” when it’s launched in 2020. He says that it will reach 60mph in less than two seconds and have a top speed of 250mph, making it one of the fastest road cars ever built. Almost more importantly, it will boast a range of 620 miles on a single charge, showing that tech engineers are overcoming one of the biggest obstacles to the growth of electric cars – the distance they can travel before being plugged in for a top-up.

Hot on Tesla’s heels comes NIO, the Chinese tech start-up that has competed in Formula E since the series was launched in 2014; this year, the brand has 30-year-old British driver Oliver Turvey and Italian veteran Luca Filippi racing for it. NIO’s EP9, whose power train boasts 1360hp, has a top speed of 194mph and 265 miles of range. Proving that electric cars can compete with their traditional rivals, it set track records at the Nürburgring in Germany and the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, where it also broke the record for a car in autonomous driving mode – in other words, with nobody at the wheel. The Shanghai-based company has already sold six EP9s at a price tag of more than US$1 million each and is putting another ten up for sale.

With equally shattering performance, but using one of the classic American muscle cars as a starting point, is the Maryland-based company Genovation, which calls itself the “Green Car Company”. It has taken the current-generation Chevrolet Corvette, stripped out its V8 engine and replaced it with two electric power units at 750hp, giving it a top speed in excess of 220mph. The Genovation GXE is scheduled to go into production at the end of 2019.

With these and other innovative newcomers targeting the supercar market, what are the traditional brands doing about it? After dismissing the idea just a few years ago, Ferrari CEO Sergio Marchionne told reporters at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit that the Italian automaker would indeed build an electric supercar. While vague on details, he vowed to have it in production before Tesla’s Roadster hits the roads in 2020.

Meanwhile, McLaren says it has been testing an electric prototype, but has no plans to put it into production in the foreseeable future. Lamborghini recently unveiled a futuristic electric concept car – the Terzo Millennio (or Third Millennium) – but given its outlandish specifications, including bodywork that repairs itself, it’s more likely to feature in a future edition of Star Wars than it is to ever find its way onto public roads.

Green is the New Black

October 27, 2017 / by Mike Clarke

Silent Running

October 27, 2017 / by Joel Fisher

A leisurely day out on the waves just got a whole lot quieter – and more environmentally friendly – with the launch of the new Dasher, an electric-powered “picnic boat” from American shipbuilder Hinckley Yachts. The company pioneered the picnic boat concept in the 1990s when it launched the first Dasher, a craft designed for a lazy day out on calm waters with friends and family.

Hinckley, which has been building handcrafted boats at its Maine dockyard for 90 years, calls the new Dasher the first electric-powered luxury yacht. It is kitted out with twin 80hp electric inboard motors, powered by lithium batteries that give a top speed of around 28mph and a range of some 40 miles. The Dasher also has a shallow draft that allows boaters to explore places normally inaccessible to similar craft.

Thanks to extensive use of carbon fibre, including in the hull, the Dasher is Hinckley’s lightest-ever boat, weighing around 3,000 kilograms. The company’s president and CEO, Peter O’Connell, says the electric boat is the latest in a long tradition of innovation. “From the early use of fibreglass in the 1960s to the adoption of jet drives on the picnic boat, we’ve always worked to combine the latest technology with cutting-edge naval architecture.”

Wings of Desire

September 29, 2017 / by Simon Webster

Image above: By 2020, the AeroMobil aims to take to the road – and the skies

Having a flying car may sound cool and all, but why would anybody actually buy one? They provide the “convenience and speed of air travel with the door-to-door flexibility and comfort of a private car,” explains Juraj Vaculik, co-founder and CEO of AeroMobil. “There are several scenarios for using this type of vehicle: super-commuting, weekend travel, business or just recreational flying.”

In road mode, the AeroMobil can reach 100mph. It’s powered by a two-litre, four-cylinder turbo-charged engine that on the ground generates electrical power that drives the front wheels. In the air, it can reach 225mph and has a range of 470 miles. Vaculik says that the AeroMobil has a perfectly aerodynamic teardrop shape, with the appearance of “petals opening” as the wings gradually extend.

The two-seater AeroMobil can convert from road to flying mode (and vice versa) in just three minutes, with the wings tucking away so it can fit into a regular parking space. Vaculik says AeroMobil’s potential customers come from a range of backgrounds and markets, including supercar buyers and aviation enthusiasts.