Volkswagen Group China unveiled its first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) passenger drone prototype at the end of July 2022, as part of its strategy to explore and innovate fully electric and sustainable individual mobility concepts. In 2020, Volkswagen Group China launched a vertical mobility project to explore the next generation of mobility solutions, including the urban air mobility market and the expansion of urban airspace traffic. After intensive research, conceptual work and development, the project team has now developed its first validation model – the V.MO. This early prototype was also nicknamed the « Flying Tiger » due to its distinctive black and gold livery, which was painted to commemorate its launch in the Year of the Tiger.
The prototype concept is based on existing autonomous driving solutions and battery technology for emission-free mobility. With a deluxe X-Wing configuration of 11.2m in length and a wingspan of 10.6m, the model features eight rotors for vertical lift and two propellers for horizontal flight. Volkswagen Group China will conduct several flight tests later this year to optimize the concept and an improved prototype will undergo further advanced test flights by the end of summer 2023. In its latest future iteration, the fully electric and automated could possibly carry four passengers plus luggage over a distance of up to 200 km.
Dr. Stephan Wöllenstein, CEO of Volkswagen Group China, said: “Through this pilot project, we are taking Volkswagen’s long tradition of precision engineering, design and innovation to the next level, developing a premium product that will meet vertical mobility needs. of our future tech-savvy Chinese customers. This is a pioneering project that our young team of Chinese experts started from scratch – they work with new design concepts and new materials while developing new safety standards, disrupting and innovating with every step of the process. The launch of this superb validation model – the V.MO – is the first of many remarkable steps in our exciting journey towards urban air transport, and a perfect example of our “From China, For China” mission. Our long-term objective is to industrialize this concept and, like a “Flying Tiger”, to innovate in this new, emerging and rapidly evolving mobility market. »
Volkswagen Group China is rapidly expanding its local R&D and software expertise to respond faster to customer expectations and dramatically accelerate the pace of innovation. The Vertical Mobility project requires interdisciplinary and innovative thinking in a new field, and the Group has assembled a team of young local experts to take it forward. They were backed by Chinese partners, including Hunan Sunward Technology, a subsidiary of the Hunan-based Sunward Manufacturing Group. The company specializes in the development, sales and service of aeronautical products and is a market leader in the light sport aircraft industry.
Urban air mobility is a growing market that aims to use airspace for short and medium distance connections, especially over and between major cities. In China, it is expected to play an important role in the future of urban and interurban transport in its congested megacities. In the first phase of its commercial use, V.MO is likely to be marketed as a premium product for tech-savvy wealthy Chinese customers, for example for VIP air shuttle services. eVTOL air vehicles will be able to transport passengers faster and more efficiently than current conventional ground transportation and with greater flexibility. As the vertical mobility project develops, Volkswagen Group China will work with relevant Chinese authorities to obtain certification.
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