At the Consumer Electronics Show, Hyundai demonstrated its sky-high ambitions in the literal sense of the word as it unveiled a flying taxi.

Designed by his company Supernal on the basis of just that, the electric aircraft will be able to soar up to 500 meters and with a predicted speed of up to 200 kilometers per hour travel between 40 and 64 kilometers.

The Koreans emphasized that they were guided by the idea of ​​combining the automotive world we live in with the future mobility that, according to them, will become a reality already in 2028. The air taxi is designed for use in cities, so care has been taken to be quite quiet and able to take off and land vertically.

And it’s certainly throwing resources at the project to get there — although Hyundai has never disclosed its exact investment. Supernal has grown to a 600-person team and is also using technical and business capabilities of Hyundai Motor Group and aviation suppliers around the world as it works toward a commercial launch, according to Jaiwon Shin, Hyundai Motor Group president and CEO of Supernal.

There is still quite a bit of work to be done before that can happen, Supernal CTO Ben Diachun noted on the sidelines of the event.

The S-A2 will have to go through a lengthy Type 1 certification process with the Federal Aviation Administration before it can fly commercially. The company will begin testing this year in California its so-called technology demonstrator vehicles, Diachun said. Supernal will also submit this year its application to the FAA. In 2025, Supernal will submit to the FAA its proposal for means of compliance, he added.

The nuts and bolts

The aircraft shown Tuesday is a V-tail with a distributed electric propulsion architecture and eight all-tilting rotors. The S-A2 is loaded with the kind of redundant components like the powertrain, flight controls and avionics — all of the safety critical systems required for commercial aviation.

The aircraft is designed to cruise 120 miles-per-hour at a 1,500-foot altitude. This is meant to be for suburban into inner city travel, with trips falling between 25 and 40 miles, initially.

Diachun said onstage that the aircraft would operate at about 65 decibels as it takes off and lands and 45 decibels while cruising, about the same as a dishwasher, he claimed.

The company’s designers and engineers also made the interior modular, including the ability to replace the battery as technology improves.

Many see in Lucid a single manufacturer whose vehicles can rival Tesla

Taking this as a compliment, the American manufacturer of luxury vehicles tried to prove it with its unexpected appearance in Geneva. In addition to the two versions of the Air electric limousine, the Gravity crossover was certainly in the foreground, from which the company expects a lot. It has room for seven passengers, has 800 horsepower and can offer sports car performance. As a bonus for the price, which in America is expected to be around 80 thousand dollars, will be the autonomy of more than 700 kilometers. The story of him will not stop here because the almost identical mechanics to the limousines allow three electric motors with over 1,200 horses, ceramic brakes and sports suspension to be installed, just like the Saphire version of the Air that costs a quarter of a million dollars, also shown in Geneva. .

As a bonus for the price, which in America is expected to be around 80 thousand dollars, will be the autonomy of more than 700 kilometers. The story of him will not stop here because the almost identical mechanics to the limousines allow three electric motors with over 1,200 horses, ceramic brakes and sports suspension to be installed, just like the Saphire version of the Air that costs a quarter of a million dollars, also shown in Geneva. .

Lucid on the Old Continent is currently limited to Norway, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland. Last year, it produced only about 8,500 vehicles

Dacia in Geneva did not allow itself to fall into the shadow of the French patron

Featuring three premieres, Dacia has shown its full commitment to becoming a brand equally respected by all. Although it was shown before the end of November last year, the new third generation of Duster certainly attracts the most attention, especially due to the price under 20 thousand euros. Larger than its predecessor, it is placed on a simpler version of the CMF-B platform, which also has Renault Captur, Nissan Juke and other models of the alliance, which allowed the installation of new power units. Electrified to a large extent, the strongest of them has 140 hybrid horsepower, the alternative of which is the three-cylinder turbo with 130 horses. There are no diesels, and the four-wheel drive allows you to choose between five driving modes.

The new design of its front part dawned in Geneva on the electric Spring, which now looks like a completely new model. The interior has also been revised, where a couple of new conveniences are found, but the technical package has remained almost the same. Spring will continue to be offered in two versions with 45 and 65 horsepower and batteries sufficient for 220 kilometers, which will be supplemented with the help of the new energy regeneration system. The charger also has two-way capabilities and the vehicle can be used to power external devices with 220 volt current. The first deliveries are expected this summer.

An attraction at the Dacia stand in Geneva was the Dakar racing prototype Sandrider, whose promotion was personally helped by Sebastian Leb.

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SANDRIDER

• FIA class: Ultimate T1+
• Chassis: tubular
• Body: carbon fibre
• Engine: V6, 3 litres, twin-turbo, direct injection
• Maximum power:  265 kW/360 bhp at 5,000 rpm
• Maximum torque: 539 Nm at 4,250 rpm
• Transmission: 4X4
• Gearbox: 6-speed sequential
• Front/rear suspension: double wishbone
• Suspension travel: 350 mm
• Wheels: 17-inch aluminium
• Tyres: BF Goodrich, 37 inches
• Length x width x height: 4,140 x 2,290 x 1,810 mm
• Wheelbase: 3,000 mm
• Front/rear overhang: 590/550 mm