Alauda Aeronautics, a tech company based in South Australia, has unveiled the world’s first crewed flying racing car – the Airspeeder Mk4. The Mk4 is a hydrogen-electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft capable of reaching a top speed of 360 kph (225 mph) in just 30 seconds from a standing start. With this launch, the company has opened the door to original equipment manufacturers’ (OEM) teams to join Airspeeder in revolutionary new motorsport.
The Airspeeder Mk4 has a take-off weight (MTOW) of just 950 kg, making it highly efficient, with a projected range of 300 km (188 miles) while producing near-zero emissions. It’s powered by a 1,000 kW (1,340 horsepower) turbogenerator, which feeds power to the batteries and motors. This technology allows green hydrogen to be used as fuel, providing safe, reliable, and sustainable power over long distances and flight times.
Matt Pearson, CEO of Alauda Aeronautics, said, “We have built the vehicles, developed the sport, secured the venues, attracted the sponsors and technical partners. Now is the time for the world’s most progressive, innovative, and ambitious automotive brands, OEM manufacturers, and motorsport teams to be part of truly revolutionary new motorsport.”
The Airspeeder racing series will feature remotely piloted drones competing in four races this year before switching to crewed flights in 2022. The Airspeeder Mk4 is designed to set the bar for performance and technology in the radical new sport of piloted Airspeeder racing.
As well as taking the existing eVTOL industry into the next-generation H2eVTOL era, this technology has the potential to significantly reduce emissions and create a sustainable future for individual air travel. Click here for more details.
