This Chinese EV Looks Like a 6x6 Tesla Cybervan and Launches Flying Cars

Flying cars have been “just over the horizon” since the early sixties. Cartoons, movies, even full-on concepts and prototypes have been promising a flight-filled future for the average person for longer than most have been alive. It seems that Xpeng Aeroht—an aircraft-oriented division of Xpeng—will begin to make their own steps to making that a reality with a new demonstrator, the Land Aircraft Carrier. It’s not just a bunch of fancy computer-generated imagery, either.

The Land Aircraft Carrier is a six-wheeled electric vehicle with an ICE-powered range extender, so perhaps we can call it an EREV. The body has hints of Tesla Cybertruck and Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle mashed into a single vehicle. According to Xpeng, the carrier is capable of driving with four people, even with the air module—what Xpeng Aeroht is calling the personal drone aircraft—stored inside. The carrier powers all six wheels for an AWD layout, but Xpeng hasn’t been fully forthcoming on the power and motor details on the land-based vehicle.

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The Land Aircraft Carrier is 216.53 inches in total length, 78.74 inches wide and tall. To easily fit it into relatively tight spaces, the six-wheeled Xpeng carrier will use rear-wheel steering for maximum maneuverability. It will be powered by an 800-volt silicon carbide battery with an extended-range capacity of up to 621 miles, according to Xpeng. Thanks to its range-extension ICE powerplant, the carrier will be able to charge the all-electric air module up to six times.

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The air module is stored in the rear and the cargo area roof lifts while a liftgate is lowered down. The drone is then automatically unloaded from the vehicle when ready to deploy and loaded back up when you’re done. It’s powered by the same 800-volt silicon carbide battery system as the carrier. Rather than have pedals for yaw control along with a control stick for roll and pitch, the air module will feature a single stick system. This will reduce the complexity during manual flight, but both the carrier and the air module are capable of fully autonomous operation.

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This autonomous flight mode can be done via a flight planner that allows for single-touch takeoffs and landings. It also features a secondary flight system and “triple-redundant” designs in hardware and software, all backed by Xpeng Aeroht’s aeronautic experience. While it says that foresees a future of private travel, Xpeng Aeroht also laid out a case for use by emergency services ranging from highway accident response to medical rescues to high-rise evacuations. Considering the air module only holds two people, we’re not sure how effective that would really be.

The EVTOL drone has not only demonstrated that it is capable of at least hovering without humans inside, Xpeng Aeroht has also demonstrated a four-parachute emergency deployment system that ensures that if the motors die out, you will still have a safe emergency landing to walk away from. Earlier this year, the air module was certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of Central and Southern China to begin its certification towards airworthiness. There was a private demonstration of the Land Aircraft Carrier and air module flight put on by Xpeng earlier this month, but a full public demonstration is planned for the China Airshow in Zhuhai, China, and the Guangzhou International Auto Show with both events taking place in November.

Trial production is slated for some time in 2025 with a goal of 10,000 units per year. Full production and deliveries for 2026 at a cost of $280,000. Pre-sales will start before the end of this year.