Chinese 'flying car' makes first public flight in Dubai

DUBAI, Oct 11 (Reuters) - (This Oct. 11 story has been corrected to amend the duration of flight to 90 seconds instead of 90 minutes in paragraph 3)

XPeng's eVTOL flying car X2 makes its first public flying in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, October 10, 2022. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky

A "flying car" built by Chinese electronic vehicle maker Xpeng Inc (9868.HK) made its first public flight in the United Arab Emirates, as the company works towards launching the electric aircraft on international markets.

Guests and reporters check out the XPeng eVTOL flying car X2 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, October 10, 2022. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky

The X2 is a two-seater electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that is lifted by eight propellers - two at each corner of the vehicle.

Monday's unmanned, 90-second test flight in Dubai was described by its manufacturer as an "important base for the next generation of flying cars."

Two XPeng eVTOL flying cars X2 sit on the ground in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, October 10, 2022. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky

"We are making step-by-step (moves) to the international market," said Minguan Qiu, general manager of Xpeng Aeroht. "First we selected Dubai city because Dubai is the most innovative city in the world."

Reporting by Abdelhadi Ramahi in Dubai Editing by Dominic Evans and Matthew Lewis

(Source: Reuters)