We introduced the incredible Airspeeder flying car race concept from Alauda back in 2017. Back then, the company aimed to launch the world’s first Grand Prix for flying cars by the end of 2020. Even though the project is behind schedule for fairly obvious reasons, it has reached several key milestones over the years, with the latest version of the flying car — the Airspeeder Mk4 — being unveiled recently.

Alauda designed and built the Airspeeder Mk4 in Adelaide, Australia, and has continued with the original concept of a crewed flying racing car with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities. Measuring 5.73 metres in length, 3.62 metres in width, and 1.44 metres in height, the Airspeeder Mk4 is built on a carbon fibre monocoque and weighs 950 kg in total.

The four wooden propellers we saw in the Airspeeder Mk1 prototype have been replaced by an advanced electric propulsion system, resulting in an overall sleeker design. Alauda claims the flying car can reach a top speed of 360 km/h in just 30 seconds from a standing start, and is powered by a 1,000 kWh hydrogen turbogenerator that offers an exceptional range of 300 km.

Alauda has already started a racing series with the Airspeeder Mk3, which uses flying cars of similar size and technology but piloted remotely. Having secured solid partnerships with IWC, intel, DHL and more, and former Formula 1 driver Bruno Senna as a development pilot and ambassador, the goal of launching the first crewed flying car race in 2024 is looking more and more feasible.