Hyundai’s Supernal division pulled back the curtain on their next-gen electric flying taxi concept at CES 2024. Dubbed the S-A2, this sleek aircraft aims to deliver quiet, convenient air travel between cities by 2028.
Building on their S-A1 model from 2020, the S-A2 seats five and hits cruising speeds of 120mph at around 1,500 feet. That’s fast enough for short 25-40 mile urban hops. Eight tilting rotors allow near silent 65 decibel takeoffs and whisper-quiet 45 decibel cruising.
Supernal focused on safety with a sturdy but lightweight airframe, backup systems, and meeting global aviation standards. President Jaiwon Shin said the 600-person team is ready to pioneera new aviation era.
Beyond the tech, the S-A2 turns heads with its flowing V-tail design that merges form and function. Supernal worked with Hyundai’s auto designers so the aircraft would appeal to operators and passengers.
The minimalist cabin uses different materials and colors to distinguish the pilot and passenger areas. Smartly designed seats and lighting make the compact interior feel more spacious.
Supernal built in sustainability for the future, engineering the S-A2 so its battery module can be easily swapped as technology improves. The modular interior can also be reconfigured over time.
By blending cutting-edge performance, safety and beautiful aesthetics, the S-A2 shows Hyundai’s sky-high ambition to make electric urban air mobility a reality. Supernal plans to begin full scale prototype testing in 2025 and commercialize in 2028.
With designs on leading this new market, the S-A2 concept previews how Hyundai aims to soon have us skipping traffic and flying in near silence between cities. The future of mobility has taken wing.
