Aston Martin Volante Vision Concept
Aston Martin wants to expand into flying cars and presented a concept craft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) ability. Dubbed the Volante Vision Concept, the small craft is hybrid-electric and offers room for three adults, in addition to being able to operate in autonomous mode. Developed in a partnership with Rolls-Royce, Cranfield University and Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, the craft is meant to preview a future where personal commuting by air is commonplace.
The concept features four tilting propellers up front in a double stack arrangement and a second set of propellers in a rear alcove to provide vertical lift. Once the craft achieves altitude vertically, it transitions to forward flight with the front rotors providing forward propulsion. The cockpit is arranged with a single seat in the front and two side-by-side seats in the back. The front wing, which actually looks like a car's front spoiler, provides lift during forward flight (along with two rear wings), while the craft steers itself via two vertical fins and other surfaces.
Luxury Motor Press thinks:
The main intended use of this aircraft is not recreational flight, but rather commuting by air. While there are others playing their cards in this space and launching new and innovative solutions, it will be interesting to see how commuting will take place in the near future.
