Supernal LLC, the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company under Hyundai Motor Group, unveiled its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle product concept, S-A2, at CES 2024. This marks a significant step forward in Supernal’s mission to bring safe, efficient, and affordable everyday passenger air travel to reality
The S-A2 is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers, building on the foundation laid by the company’s vision concept, S-A1, unveiled at CES 2020. It seamlessly blends cutting-edge aerospace engineering with Hyundai Motor Group’s renowned automotive aesthetic design. The aim is to revolutionize urban transportation, making point-to-point travel significantly faster and more convenient.
Supernal is committed to setting the highest standards for safety and manufacturability in its eVTOL vehicles. The company is targeting commercial aviation safety standards and aims to streamline the production process for its vehicles, paving the way for market entry in 2028.
Jaiwon Shin, president of Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of Supernal, highlighted the company’s unwavering focus on bringing the right product to the right market at the right time. “The unveiling of S-A2 demonstrates our unwavering commitment to delivering on that mission with a safe, efficient vehicle design that provides a clear path to market entry,” he stated.
Supernal is well-positioned to lead the way in the emerging AAM market. Its team of 600 experts, combined with the extensive technical and business capabilities of Hyundai Motor Group and trusted partnerships with aviation suppliers worldwide, gives Supernal the necessary resources and expertise to make a new era of flight a reality.
Unveiling the Technical Marvel: Supernal’s S-A2 eVTOL
Soaring above the horizon, Supernal’s S-A2 eVTOL takes center stage as a testament to the company’s dedication to revolutionizing urban mobility. This sleek, V-tail aircraft boasts impressive technical finesse, meticulously crafted to deliver a seamless and sustainable air travel experience.
Speed and Range Tailored for Urban Needs: Imagine gliding through cityscapes at 120 miles per hour, effortlessly climbing to a comfortable 1,500-foot altitude. The S-A2 has been specifically designed to tackle typical city commutes, with an initial operational range of 25 to 40 miles. This makes it ideal for zipping across town, bypassing the gridlock and reaching your destination in record time.
Whisper-Quiet Flight: Worried about noise pollution? Fear not! Supernal prioritizes peaceful skies with the S-A2’s innovative distributed electric propulsion architecture. This translates to remarkably quiet operation, generating only 65 decibels during take-off and landing, and a barely audible 45 decibels while cruising. Imagine enjoying conversations or tranquil moments even as you soar above the city.
Safety at the Forefront: For Supernal, safety is paramount. The S-A2 is engineered to meet global commercial aviation safety standards, featuring a robust airframe and redundant systems in critical areas like the powertrain, flight controls, and avionics. Rest assured, you’ll be in good hands every step of the way.
Efficiency Meets Sustainability: Combining cutting-edge aerospace engineering with Hyundai’s renowned manufacturing expertise, the S-A2 promises not only performance but also efficiency. The all-tilting rotor configuration optimizes both vertical lift and horizontal flight, minimizing energy consumption. Additionally, Supernal leverages Hyundai’s mass production capabilities to ensure cost-effectiveness, paving the way for wider adoption and a more sustainable future for air travel.
Innovation Under the Hood: The brains behind the brawn! Supernal’s Chief Technology Officer, Ben Diachun, applauds the team’s efforts in harnessing the latest electric powertrain advancements. The S-A2 is designed to evolve alongside technology, with modular interior components and upgradable batteries. This means your eVTOL can keep pace with the future, ensuring a constantly enhanced travel experience.
The S-A2’s Stunning Aesthetic Design
Supernal’s S-A2 isn’t just a marvel of engineering; it’s a statement in the sky. The result of a tight collaboration between Supernal’s visionary engineers and Hyundai Motor Group’s renowned automotive designers, the S-A2’s aesthetics blend functionality with breathtaking beauty, designed to captivate aviation operators and set the standard for a luxurious AAM passenger experience.
Picture this: Sleek lines carve through the air, painted in distinct color palettes that seamlessly separate the pilot and passenger sections. Every material choice, from the premium seats to the minimalist interior, speaks to an unwavering commitment to both cleanliness and elegance. Even the seat frames, crafted with energy-absorbing aviation-grade components, manage to be both safety-focused and aesthetically pleasing.
Step inside. As you settle into the spacious cabin, the lighting subtly shifts with each phase of flight, creating a sense of calm and spaciousness. This dynamic ambience isn’t just for show; it also provides convenient visual cues for passengers, highlighting entry and exit points.
Luc Donckerwolke, Hyundai Motor Group’s President, Chief Design Officer, and Chief Creative Officer, perfectly captures the essence of the S-A2: “auto meets aero.” Here, the expertise of Supernal’s aerospace pioneers merges seamlessly with the artistry of Hyundai’s award-winning automotive designers. The result is a human-centric design that prioritizes passenger experience and safety in equal measure.
But the beauty goes beyond the surface. The S-A2 draws on Hyundai’s heritage of crafting smart cars with efficient footprints. In fact, the interior reflects the latest advancements in passenger experience and automotive design best practices, honed through years of creating iconic electric vehicles.
Imagine gliding above the city, enveloped in a cocoon of elegance and innovation. The S-A2 isn’t just transportation; it’s a glimpse into the future, where beauty and technology join forces to elevate the everyday commute into an extraordinary experience.