There are many manufacturers that, in recent times, have entered into the development of electric flying vehicles, a sector that seemed to belong more to the distant future but is much closer than one might think. In fact, it has already attracted some giants of the automotive industry, several of which have even created their own brands for this field.
One of these manufacturers is Hyundai, which, under its Supernal brand, has just presented its new S-A2 at CES 2024 held this week in Las Vegas. It is an eVTOL (vertical take-off and landing aircraft) that could soon transport people, shortening the duration of trips and helping to reduce congestion caused by road traffic.
It is a vehicle capable of carrying a pilot and a total of four passengers, more than enough to function, among other uses, as a flying taxi. We are facing an evolution of the S-A1 presented at the same event four years ago. As then, the proposal combines Hyundai's experience in automobile design with new ideas from the aeronautical field.
The S-A2 battery is capable of powering eight electric motors that in turn rotate the same number of rotors. All of them are tilt-type, which allows the eVTOL to take off like a helicopter and then fly horizontally. This flying taxi will be able to travel at speeds of up to 193 km/h, a more than considerable figure for a vehicle of its category.
For its part, the maximum altitude it can reach is around 460 meters, which places the S-A2 above many of its competitors in development. Supernal has not specifically reported on the maximum autonomy that the eVTOL can provide in later phases but has made public that, at least initially, it will be designed to cover short distances of up to 64 km.
Although this range is not among the best in the sector, the truth is that it allows urban flights to be carried out without problems. It should be noted that the company plans for the aircraft to be upgradeable and could receive more powerful batteries in the future with which its autonomy would improve. Regarding the exterior design, the S-A2 stands out for a modern and attractive aesthetic that clearly shows the Hyundai touch and certain features inspired by its cars.
The interior is minimalist, with the pilot seated in front and the four passengers in two separate rows behind him. Control of the vehicle is carried out using joysticks combined with large screens that show all the information the pilot needs. It should not be overlooked that the cabin has been developed with modularity in mind.
Supernal ensures that the S-A2 has been designed to be safe and silent. Likewise, the highest quality materials have been used for its manufacturing. For now, it is a prototype version, but the company expects it to be on the market throughout 2028. To learn more about it, you can take a look at the video that accompanies this article.
