The Xpeng modular flying car called Land Aircraft Carrier received over 2,000 orders after performing its first public flight. Deliveries of this massive vehicle, which costs 2 million yuan (280,000 USD), are scheduled for 2026.
Xpeng’s subsidiary Xpeng AeroHT runs the Land Aircraft Carrier project. This company has been operating since 2013, trying to bring a real flying car solution to the market. Xpeng AeroHT initially planned to launch a road-legal car with deployable rotors on the roof. However, it appeared to be too difficult to lock rotors properly to prevent damage from vibrations when the car is driving on the road. So, Xpeng switched to the idea of a modular flying car.
Xpeng AeroHT brought its modular flying car to the Chinese Zhuhai Air Show. It consists of two major elements: the “Mothership” and the aircraft. The first element is a large three-axle carrier with an EREV powertrain and a length of 5.5 meters. It stands on an 800V platform and can run up to 1,000 km in hybrid mode. The “Mothership” most likely adopts Xpeng’s Kunpeng EREV powertrain.
The aircraft hides inside the Land Aircraft Carrier. It can be released with a one-button push. Afterward, it takes only five minutes to put the aircraft back in the carrier. The aircraft looks like a large drone with a cabin for two occupants. It supports 5-6 flights on a full charge. The “Mothership” can charge the aircraft’s battery from 30 to 80% in 18 minutes.
The aircraft of the Land Aircraft Carrier performed a demonstration flight. It proved it is capable of low altitude linear acceleration, constant speed descent, and precision landing. What is more interesting, the aircraft did it autonomously without a pilot in the cabin. Previously, Xpeng AeroHT said this aircraft supports two flight modes: manual and automatic.
In automatic flight mode, the Xpeng aircraft can perform route planning, cruise flight, one-key return, and landing. Its manual mode stands out of the crowd thanks to the single-lever control system that replaced a complex method of operation in traditional helicopters. Xpeng claims it takes three hours to learn how to control the aircraft.
Xpen AeroHT announced the Land Aircraft Carrier got 2,008 pre-orders from 12 customers (enterprises) at the Zhuhai Air Show. According to the company officials, it is the largest order in the global flying segment. Previously, Xpeng AeroHT reported that it had received 1,000 orders after the first display of the Land Aircraft Carrier. Later in September, Xpeng got 150 orders for the modular flying car from two companies in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.
Xpeng held the groundbreaking ceremony of the modular flying car manufacturing plant on October 27. It will start volume production with an annual capacity of 10,000 units in 2026. The factory will include four production workshops and ancillary facilities for painting and general assembly. According to Xpeng AeroHT, the new factory will produce only the flying aircraft of the modular car. It seems that the large three-axle carrier will be assembled at one of the current Xpeng EV manufacturing plants.
source:carnewschina
