The Volante Vision Concept is a luxury concept aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities which aims to bring personal luxury transportation to the sky, and to demonstrate Aston Martin’s design ingenuity. Produced in partnership with Cranfield University, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions and Rolls-Royce plc, the concept unites the world’s best aerospace experts, propulsion specialists and designers.
Dr Andy Palmer, Aston Martin President and CEO, explaining the reasoning behind Aston Martin’s involvement in the project said, “with the population in urban areas continuing to grow, congestion in towns and cities will become increasingly demanding. We need to look at alternative solutions to reduce congestion, cut pollution and improve mobility.”
“Air travel will be a crucial part in the future of transportation. The Volante Vision Concept is the ultimate luxury mobility solution. With Aston Martin and our ‘dream team’ of British innovation across industry and academia, we are positioned to change the future of transportation, giving our customers a new dimension of freedom.” – Dr Andy Palmer, Aston Martin President and CEO.
With room for three adults, the concept is a near-future study that previews a flying autonomous hybrid-electric vehicle for urban and inter-city air travel, providing fast, efficient and congestion free luxurious travel. It will take full advantage of the latest advances in aerospace, electrification and autonomous technologies, coupled with Aston Martin’s signature design.
“We are at the beginning of a new generation of urban transportation, vertical mobility is no longer a fantasy. We have a unique chance to create a luxury concept aircraft that will represent the ultimate fusion of art and technology. We have used forms and proportions that express the same devotion to design, engineering and beauty that shape our cars.” – Marek Reichman, Aston Martin EVP and Chief Creative Officer.
Cranfield University is a specialist postgraduate university that has been at the forefront of aerospace technology research for 70 years. They are the only university in Europe to own and run an airport, to have airline status, and have close commercial partnerships with several companies in the sector including Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing and Rolls-Royce.
Professor Iain Gray, Director of Aerospace at Cranfield University said: “The Volante Vision Concept exemplifies Cranfield’s unique capabilities in digital aviation, autonomous systems and the electrification of aerospace, and is an excellent example of how the University combines cutting-edge research, academic rigour and real-world application.”
