Back in February, Alauda Aeronautics introduced the Mk3 – an unmanned flying race car that aims to take motorsports to the skies, literally. It was announced then that a full-scale electric flying racing series will commence this year.
The Australian company fulfils that promise by kicking off the first flight of the Alauda Mk3 flying car in Southern Australia. You may watch the maiden flight via the video above, immortalised in images through the gallery below.
Gallery: Airspeeder Mk3
The flight of the Alauda Mk3 is a precursor to the Airspeeder EXA series of three unmanned flying car races set to happen globally this year. The exact locations of these flying car races aren't disclosed at this point, though.
Remotely controlled via a simulator that mimics the dynamics and ergonomics of the Mk3 cockpit environment, the Airspeeder EXA will be the proving ground for the world’s first crewed electric flying car races. It will serve as a vital technical test-bed for teams and the perfect space to develop pilot skills.
Alauda aims to launch the Airspeeder manned flying car racing series across the globe by 2022.
Taking mobility to the skies:
Designed by Alauda Aeronautics, the Mk3 is said to draw its design inspiration from the racing cars of the '50s and '60s. It's an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) craft that weighs only 130 kilograms (287 pounds) unladen and can carry up to 80 kg (176 lbs), which makes it ready for future manned races.
The Alauda Mk3 is fully electric, with its motors producing up to 429 bhp (320 kilowatts) – comparable to what an Audi SQ7 can produce. It can accelerate from 0-62 miles per hour (100 kilometres per hour) in just 2.8 seconds and can climb up to 1,640 feet (500 metres). The Mk3 vehicle has a thrust-to-weight ratio of 3.5.
Source: Airspeeder