Click for more lift.
Hyundai Motor Group’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company Supernal – has debuted its S-A2 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) concept. The pilot-plus-four-passenger vehicle (a hybrid helicopter and aircraft) is the latest step in Supernal’s attempt to commercialize what it hopes will be efficient and affordable everyday passenger air travel. Supernal – it’s claimed – will achieve commercial aviation safety levels and use “affordable manufacturing” of its vehicles as it prepares to enter the market in 2028. Stellantis, among other competitors, is pursuing the same goal. (AutoInformed: Paris Air Show – Stellantis and Archer to Debut eVTOL Aircraft)*
“From the beginning, Supernal has been on a mission to create the right product and the right market at the right time,” said Jaiwon Shin, president of Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of Supernal. “The unveiling of S-A2 demonstrates our unwavering commitment to deliver on that mission with a safe, efficient vehicle design that provides a clear path to market entry. By leveraging our talented 600-person team, the vast technical and business capabilities of Hyundai Motor Group and trusted aviation suppliers around the world, Supernal is ready to deliver a new era of flight.”
S-A2 is a V-tail aircraft designed to cruise at 120 miles-per-hour at a 1500-foot altitude to meet l city operation needs of 25- to 40-mile trips. It has a so-called distributed electric propulsion architecture with eight all-tilting rotors. At entry into service, Supernal’s vehicle will operate as quietly as a dishwasher: 65 dB in vertical take-off and landing phases and 45 dB while cruising horizontally,” it’s claimed.
The wanna be air taxi is designed to achieve global commercial aviation standard s of safety. It has redundant components in critical systems such as powertrain, flight controls and avionics. The all-tilting rotor configuration will power the vehicle through both the vertical-lift and horizontal-cruise phases of flight. To maintain superior quality while also being cost-effective, the vehicle will be manufactured using Hyundai’s mass production capability. It is of course a long, long way from receiving the necessary and – very expensive because to the testing required – Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certificate for operation in US airspace. There are regulatory challenges in other jurisdictions as well.
“Supernal’s product concept vehicle is the result of the creativity and hard work of our world-class team. S-A2 is designed to take full advantage of emerging electric powertrain advancements that will define the next generation of aviation,” said Ben Diachun, chief technology officer, Supernal. “From here, we will develop this concept into a revolutionary commercial product.”
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Supernal Shows S-A2 Electric Vertical Takeoff Aircraft
Click for more lift.
Hyundai Motor Group’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company Supernal – has debuted its S-A2 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) concept. The pilot-plus-four-passenger vehicle (a hybrid helicopter and aircraft) is the latest step in Supernal’s attempt to commercialize what it hopes will be efficient and affordable everyday passenger air travel. Supernal – it’s claimed – will achieve commercial aviation safety levels and use “affordable manufacturing” of its vehicles as it prepares to enter the market in 2028. Stellantis, among other competitors, is pursuing the same goal. (AutoInformed: Paris Air Show – Stellantis and Archer to Debut eVTOL Aircraft)*
“From the beginning, Supernal has been on a mission to create the right product and the right market at the right time,” said Jaiwon Shin, president of Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of Supernal. “The unveiling of S-A2 demonstrates our unwavering commitment to deliver on that mission with a safe, efficient vehicle design that provides a clear path to market entry. By leveraging our talented 600-person team, the vast technical and business capabilities of Hyundai Motor Group and trusted aviation suppliers around the world, Supernal is ready to deliver a new era of flight.”
S-A2 is a V-tail aircraft designed to cruise at 120 miles-per-hour at a 1500-foot altitude to meet l city operation needs of 25- to 40-mile trips. It has a so-called distributed electric propulsion architecture with eight all-tilting rotors. At entry into service, Supernal’s vehicle will operate as quietly as a dishwasher: 65 dB in vertical take-off and landing phases and 45 dB while cruising horizontally,” it’s claimed.
The wanna be air taxi is designed to achieve global commercial aviation standard s of safety. It has redundant components in critical systems such as powertrain, flight controls and avionics. The all-tilting rotor configuration will power the vehicle through both the vertical-lift and horizontal-cruise phases of flight. To maintain superior quality while also being cost-effective, the vehicle will be manufactured using Hyundai’s mass production capability. It is of course a long, long way from receiving the necessary and – very expensive because to the testing required – Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certificate for operation in US airspace. There are regulatory challenges in other jurisdictions as well.
“Supernal’s product concept vehicle is the result of the creativity and hard work of our world-class team. S-A2 is designed to take full advantage of emerging electric powertrain advancements that will define the next generation of aviation,” said Ben Diachun, chief technology officer, Supernal. “From here, we will develop this concept into a revolutionary commercial product.”
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.