Why would you need a flying car that can take off and land vertically? Surely you can fly to wherever you want but startup ASKA doesn’t see it quite like that.
At the recent consumer electronics show (CES) in Las Vegas, ASKA showed its fully functional A5 electric drive and fly eVTOL vehicle.
The size of an SUV, the ASKA A5 is the world’s first four-seater electric vehicle that can travel by road, and up to 250 miles by air on a single charge.
The company also announced the ASKA On-Demand ride service that’s expected to launch in 2026. It will feature a fleet of ASKA vehicles, operating on-demand in major cities and their surroundings.
Guy Kaplinsky, co-foundern and CEO of ASKA, said, “Our unveil at CES represents something that has never been accomplished in the world, but which humans have dreamed of for decades: a fully functional, full-scale prototype of a Drive & Fly electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing, a real flying car.
“ASKA is positioned as a new generation vehicle that combines the convenience of an automobile with the ease and efficiency of VTOL and STOL flight. ASKA is a vehicle that addresses not only consumers, there is also significant business potential in emergency response use, military use, as well as on-demand ride-sharing mobility services.”
To perform a vertical take-off or landing, ASKA requires only a compact space, such as a helipad or vertiport.
The vehicle fits in existing parking spaces, it can be charged at home and EV charging stations, and the range extender engine runs on premium gasoline purchased at existing automotive gas stations.
Powering the ASKA A5 is a proprietary power system that features lithium-ion battery packs and a gasoline engine that acts as an onboard range extender. This dual energy source delivers a 250-mile flight range and drastically increases power source reliability.
In drive mode, ASKA packs in-wheel motor technology, allowing all four wheels to be placed outside the fuselage for all-wheel drive traction, better aerodynamics, and maximized interior space to comfortably seat 4 passengers.
In flying mode, the vehicle’s wings with six rotors unfold, allowing the vehicle to either take off vertically, or do conventional runway takeoffs. The large wing is optimised for gliding, smooth landings, and efficient energy consumption, while each tilt rotor is utilized for vehicle control.
ASKA can take off in two ways: one is a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) from a compact space like a helipad. The other is a conventional runway takeoff and landing which can improve the vehicle’s energy consumption efficiency.
“In the U.S. alone, there are around 15,000 airfields with runways,” explains Maki Kaplinsky, CoFounder & Chair/COO.
“Our innovative engineering enables ASKA to take off from a runway super fast using our unique in-wheel motor technology. This is a revolution in aviation, enabling ASKA to take off in less than 5 sec with a runway of 250 ft which brings the closest experience to a F-18 Super Hornet fighter jet taking off from an aircraft carrier for our customers.”