THIS is the moment an incredible “UFO taxi” EV took flight during a test run ahead of a potential road debut.
The bizarre vehicle looks exactly like a flying saucer out of a blockbuster film but is actually an ingenious motor capable of carrying two passengers.
Indeed, the electric vertical take-off and landing craft (eVTOL) was deliberately designed to mirror the spaceships of sci-fi classics from the 1940s and ’50s.
Doing pretty much what it says on the tin, or rather on the vibranium exoskeleton, the vehicle lifts straight up into the air before zooming off.
It has a top speed of a fairly brisk 31mph and is piloted from a central cockpit housed within a bubble canopy, offering a 360-degree view.
The pilot can fly it manually or there is an autopilot system, which works similarly to cruise control just in the air.
Once up, it can reach a height of up to 650 feet and sustain flight for about 15 minutes.
The unusual motor was built by the Zhenzhen Zhihang UAV Company based in southern China just across from Hong Kong.
An initial test run was conducted at a major park in the city, with the launch occurring in darkness to add to the atmosphere.
Video of the lift-off shows the vehicle lit brightly as it ascended into the night sky, with a large crowd lifting their phones to catch sight of it.
That’s just the start, though, as the manufacturer expects to roll it out for public use in the near future.
The craft has passed all safety inspections and was given a flight certificate back in March.
The plan is to use it as a tourist vehicle to allow aerial sightseeing in sci-fi style.
Wang Yang, a developer who worked on the vehicle, said: “Our main application scenario now, like our manned version, is sightseeing in scenic spots.
“It will have 360-degree views with no blind spots and a large lighting system.”
However, no date has been set for when it will make its debut while no pricing information has been released.
It comes after the car that became a running gag on Top Gear was named Europe’s most popular, as well as the UK’s cheapest.
