Supernal debuts upgraded flying-car concept; Hyundai reveals MOBION

LAS VEGAS – Supernal LLC, the US-based urban air mobility (UAM) affiliate of South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group, has unveiled its latest electric flying-car concept, which it aims to bring to market by 2028.

Supernal debuted S-A2, its electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft concept, at CES 2024, which opened on Tuesday.

The pilot-plus-four-passenger flying car marks the latest milestone in Supernal’s roadmap to commercialize safe, efficient and affordable passenger air travel within the next four years.

S-A2 builds on the company’s previous concept, S-A1, unveiled at CES 2020.

The life-size model showcased at this year’s electronics show brings together Supernal’s innovative aerospace engineering and Hyundai’s design philosophy to create a new mode of transportation.

Hyundai said the latest concept provides the first look into how the automotive group is integrating its car technology to develop advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicles.

Hyundai Motor Group encompasses Korea’s two largest automakers – Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. – as well as the country’s top auto parts maker, Hyundai Mobis Co.

‘AUTO MEETS AERO’

“S-A2 is a true representation of ‘auto meets aero,’” said Luc Donckerwolke, Hyundai’s chief design officer and chief creative officer.

“It draws on the competence of Supernal’s top aerospace engineers and Hyundai Motor Group’s world-renowned automotive designers to create a human-centric design that maximizes passenger experience and safety,” he said.

Hyundai said S-A2 is a V-tail aircraft designed to cruise 120 miles per hour at a 1,500-foot altitude to initially meet typical urban operation needs of 25-to-40-mile trips.

It features a distributed electric propulsion architecture and has eight all-tilting rotors. Supernal’s flying car will operate as quietly as a dishwasher: 65 dB in vertical take-off and landing phases and 45 dB while cruising horizontally, Hyundai said.

“S-A2 is designed to take full advantage of emerging electric powertrain advancements that will define the next generation of aviation,” said Ben Diachun, Supernal’s chief technology officer. “From here, we will develop this concept into a revolutionary commercial product.”

S-A2 is on display within the Supernal Vertiport exhibition at CES, located in the Diamond parking lot next to the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, where visitors can take a simulated flight above the city of Los Angeles.

HEATED ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY RACE

Supernal’s unveiling of S-A2 comes as global automakers and tech companies compete to develop aviation infrastructure for eVTOL aircraft such as autonomous cargo drones and air taxis.

Supernal, wholly owned by Hyundai Motor and launched in 2020, is collaborating with external partners and more than 50 Hyundai affiliates, in business areas spanning automobiles, automotive parts, construction, robotics and autonomous driving, to jointly create the AAM value chain.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Supernal aims to develop air vehicles and provide a transportation system that combines UAM and existing traffic networks. It is also considering operating a ride-sharing platform.

“From the beginning, Supernal has been on a mission to create the right product and the right market at the right time,” said Shin Jai-won, president of Hyundai Motor Group and chief executive of Supernal. “The unveiling of S-A2 demonstrates our unwavering commitment to deliver on that mission.”

CRAB-WALKING CAR MOBION

At CES 2024, Hyundai Mobis unveiled MOBION, a vehicle based on the IONIQ 5 and equipped with the next-generation “e-Corner System” motion technology, which enables lateral, diagonal motions and stationary pivot turns.

The company said last year it developed an “in-wheel” system that places an electric motor inside each wheel of a car to enable stationary pivot turns, known as zero turns, and allow movements to the side like a crab, called crab driving.

“The MOBION represents the embodiment of Hyundai Mobis’ core technologies, all of which are ready for immediate mass production,” said Lee Seung-hwan, vice president and head of Advanced Engineering at Hyundai Mobis.

Write to Jae-Fu Kim at hu@hankyung.com

In-Soo Nam edited this article.