It wouldn’t be CES without some sort of flying car proposal being presented to the public, and this year it’s coming from Aska. Founded in 2018, the California-based company is new to the world but doesn’t just flaunt digital renderings that are often steam kits. On display at CES 2023 is a fully functional prototype called the A5, ready to hit the road and the skies in a single bundle.
Aska says the A5 is the world’s first drive-and-fly eVTOL vehicle. The acronym identifies it as a vertical takeoff and landing EV, but not fully electric. The gasoline engine running on premium fuel acts as a range extender, giving the A5 an aerial range of 250 miles. Aska does not list his range on terra firma.
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Like many of the other flying car concepts we’ve seen before, the A5 is more like an airplane on the road than a car in the air. The large wing retracts in driving mode, with power going to all four wheels. Performance figures weren’t stated, nor did we know any juicy tidbits like horsepower ratings or battery capacity. Aska told us that the A5 is roughly the size of an SUV, with a sleek interior large enough to comfortably fit four passengers. Dimensions and features aren’t offered, but photos show a mostly digital cockpit with a Tesla-style yoke to a wheel.
As far as flying, the A5 can take off vertically using its six tilt-rotor propellers. With its large wings, it can also lift like a conventional airplane, which requires less force to get airborne. The wings also serve as a backup in the event of an engine failure, allowing the A5 to glide back down. If things get really bad, Aska includes a parachute big enough to bring the entire vehicle safely to the ground.
After its debut at CES 2023, the Aska A5 will start flight tests. It’s already been accepted through the FAA for certification, and if all goes well, buyers can fly and drive to work in 2026. Of course, that depends on the vehicle being certified, and drivers will need a pilot’s license before leaving the ground. .
