FutureFlight
CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL Prototype Unveiled at German Development Base
The all-electric aircraft, which features eight sets of electric motors and rotors, is expected to operate on routes of up to around 50 miles.
CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL aircraft at Donauwörth, Germany, test center
The first prototype of the CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL aircraft was unveiled on March 7 at the company's test center in Donauwörth, Germany. (Image: Airbus)

Airbus unveiled the first full-scale prototype of its CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL aircraft as it prepares to start flight testing later this year. The company presented the four-passenger model during an event at its Donauwörth facility in Germany, where it has opened the research and development base for the program.

The CityAirbus aircraft is being developed to operate mainly on flights of up to around 80 kilometers (50 miles) at speeds of 120 km/h. With a 12-meter (40-foot) wingspan, the design features right rotors, including four mounted on the rear side of the wing for vertical lift, plus a pair of forward-facing propellers and two pusher props installed on the tail.