10 hours Ago By Jesse Orrall
New videos from Alef Aeronautics show the company's flying car initially driving like a road vehicle, then taking off into a flight that takes it over another vehicle in a simulation of a blocked traffic scenario. The model shown in the demos is the Alef Model Zero Ultralight which, as the name suggests, is a lighter prototype used for research and development. It has some key differences from the company's first production vehicle, the Alef Model A.
While the Model Zero Ultralight has a smaller battery to keep its weight down, the larger battery in Alef's Model A is expected to have a flight range of 110 miles or a driving range of 200 miles. Those numbers may increase if the company adopts new battery technology. Thinner and smaller wheels than a traditional car also help reduce the vehicle's weight while allowing it to drive in various conditions.
While the Model Zero Ultralight requires an experienced test pilot right now, Alef CEO and co-founder Jim Dukhovny says the Model A will be much easier for an average person to fly. The optimal cruise speed in the air for the Model A is expected to be about 100mph, with the top speed predicted to be about 225mph. On the ground, the car is currently registered as a low-speed vehicle for research and development purposes, which means it is limited to about 25mph top speed.
Dukhovny says higher ground speed is possible and the eventual goal; it just requires crash testing and regulatory approval. Until then, the company is not yet ready to crash its prototype. Alef is accepting preorders for its Model A, which is expected to cost around $300,000.
Like most startups, the price will likely decrease as production scales up. To see this flying car in action, check out the video in this article..
