Hyundai Group's flying car, getting ever closer

That the Hyundai Group wants to be a pioneer and lead the future of urban air mobility is nothing new. To that end, it created the company Supernal, dedicated exclusively to developing an eVTOL vehicle, an acronym for “electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle”.

Now, Supernal is taking a step forward with the presentation of its first cabin concept for its future eVTOL at the Farnborough International Airshow. The company is also continuing to work toward its goal of certifying its eVTOL for commercial use in the United States from 2028, and a little later in the European Union and the United Kingdom.

The company maintains collaborations with the more than 50 affiliates of the Hyundai Group, spanning sectors such as automotive, robotics, construction and autonomous driving, as well as with various external partners.

An autonomous flying car for five passengers

Made of carbon fiber, the cabin presented by Supernal offers room for five occupants in a 1+2+2 layout, and its design follows the same approach applied in some of the Group’s most modern cars, such as the Hyundai IONIQ 5.

Each row of seats features a fold-out console similar to the center consoles of the rear seats in some cars, with a charging station for mobile devices and a storage compartment. The interior ambient lighting concept is also inspired by that used in cars.

Sustainability is present at all times, with the use of materials such as carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic, plant-based leather or recycled fabrics. The seat shells, for example, are manufactured using the surplus carbon fiber from the fuselage production process of the cabin itself.

The Hyundai Group has also confirmed that, as a complement to Supernal’s battery-electric flying vehicle intended for passenger transport in cities, the Group’s division focused on regional air mobility is already working on developing a medium-sized vehicle that will use a hydrogen-based propulsion system. The hydrogen aircraft, which would be used to transport cargo and passengers between cities, could be ready by the 2030s.

Image gallery – Hyundai Group eVOLT project

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