AeroMobil Uses Turbo Boxer Engine to Power $1M Flying Car

Photo credit: AeroMobil

Photo credit: AeroMobil

Thirty years ago, Back to the Future Part II predicted that by 2015, we would have flying cars dotting the horizon, hoverboards, and self-velcroing shoes. It’s two years past that estimate, and it seems we’re getting all three, admittedly in shorter supply than the futuristic scenery of film had us hoping.

Slovakian firm AeroMobil showcased its flying car at a Monaco’s exclusive Top Marques expo last month, and we’re still scratching our heads at the idea. No longer the stuff of science fiction, their Flying Car is asking prices around the $1.6-million mark. So, it’s another form of diversion for the mega-rich, but it nevertheless opens the door for automobiles that are hybrids in more ways than one.

Though the car can travel both by land and air, it’s the dual-purpose powerplant that is space age. The AeroMobil uses two electric motors to deliver a combined 110 horsepower to push the 2,100-pound car along the French Riviera, but when it comes time to take an impromptu flight over the Mediterranean, a turbocharged flat-four is employed. Displacing two liters, the boxer engine provides 300 altitude-capable horsepower that should take its occupants to their desired air speed without any dropoff as they climb above the cloudline.

To keep weight low and centralized, the AeroMobil uses a 2.0-liter, turbocharged boxer motor that provides a stout 300 horsepower. Photo credit: AeroMobil

To keep weight low and centralized, the AeroMobil uses a 2.0-liter, turbocharged boxer motor that provides a stout 300 horsepower. Photo credit: AeroMobil

Understandably, the engine is limited somewhat by the 23-gallon fuel tank, but it’s still capable of a 470-mile range in the air, and the twin motors powering the front wheels will take the car roughly 430 miles on the road. Intriguingly, the transmission can alternate between driving the front wheels on the road to a direct-drive setup to power the single propeller, which folds into the fuselage when the car is in road-going mode.

Photo credit: AeroMobil

Photo credit: AeroMobil

On land, the sleek shape of the AeroMobil allows it to hit 100 mph, while in-flight, it manages to hit 224 mph. Not a shabby speed, though some might want something more for their money.

According to CEO and co-founder Juraj Vaculik, their aim is “to significantly reduce the cost of flying cars in the long-term, we are bringing an automotive high-volume approach to a traditionally conservative low-volume aerospace industry, significantly cutting components costs via smart design, novel materials, and production automation whilst fully conforming with civil aviation industry requirements.”

Despite the cramped fit, the cabin provides an ideal weight distribution for the airfaring vehicle, without compromising the road-going safety. Photo credit: AeroMobil

Despite the cramped fit, the cabin provides an ideal weight distribution for the vehicle, without compromising the road-going safety. Photo credit: AeroMobil

Some of that has to come from the well-placed passenger cockpit area. Designed to occupy minimal space to maximize weight distribution, the seating positions for pilot and co-pilot are fixed to ensure complete predictability and ideal vehicle dynamics. Like a high-end racing car, the pedal box and main flight/drive controls are adjustable to meet the occupants in a well-balanced fashion.

The occupants are well-protected with the AeroMobil’s the carbon crash structure. With optional autonomous piloting and a parachute-landing system on-hand, the passengers should feel at ease in their investment while buzzing over the Ligurian Coast. Ah, la dolce vita.

About the author

Tommy Parry

Tommy Parry has been racing and writing about racing cars for the past seven years. As an automotive enthusiast from a young age, he worked jobs revolving around cars throughout high school, and tried his hand on the race track on his 20th birthday. After winning his first outdoor kart race, Tommy began working as an apprentice mechanic to amateur racers in the Bay Area to sharpen his mechanical understanding. He has worked as a track day instructor and automotive writer since 2012, and continues to race karts, formula cars, sedans, and rally cars in the San Francisco region.
Read My Articles

Horsepower delivered to your inbox.

Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from EngineLabs, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE!

Free WordPress Themes
EngineLabs NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

EngineLabs

EngineLabs

We'll send you raw engine tech articles, news, features, and videos every week from EngineLabs.

EngineLabs

EngineLabs NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

EngineLabs

EngineLabs

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...


LSX Mag
Late Model LS Vehicles
Dragzine
Drag Racing
StreetMuscle
Muscle Car & Hot Rods

EngineLabs

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...

  • LSX Mag Late Model LS Vehicles
  • Dragzine Drag Racing
  • Street Muscle Mag Muscle Car & Hot Rods

EngineLabs

EngineLabs

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

EngineLabs

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Loading