Aston Martin reveals vertical take-off concept

No, we're not kidding...

Who would have thought? Turns out shoehorning a 4.7-litre V8 into a Cygnet is not as mad as Aston concepts will get in July. Instead that honour falls to this, the Volante Vision Concept, assuming that there's not a V12 Vantage tank or something similar revealed before August 1st.

Designed in collaboration with Cranfield University, Cranfield Aerospace solutions and Rolls-Royce, the Volante Vision Concept is described as "an exciting alternative transportation solution for customers across the globe", a concept that "unites the world's best aerospace experts, propulsion specialists and designers."

As you can see, the Volante Vision Concept is not like anything that's been released by Aston - or indeed any automotive firm - in the past. With its vertical take-off and landing like a Harrier Jump Jet (but now with electricity), the concept is said to offer a look at what potential future urban transport could look like as we search for solutions to increasingly congested cities. Or, in the words of Andy Palmer, "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 is the ultimate luxury mobility solution." You'd rather spend your hour-long commute in this than a Cygnet, wouldn't you?

That's really the point of the Volante Vision Concept; if people could get to work with less congestion, then they could live further away. Or in the slightly less idyllic version, cities expand further into giant, sprawling metropolises and so those previously rural outposts become commuter towns. Whatever the scenario, Aston sees there being a lot more travel by air, with this Volante providing "fast, efficient and congestion free luxurious travel."

The concept can carry three people electrically and autonomously, designed specifically for urban and inter-city use. Along with the design and tech input from Cranfield and Rolls-Royce, the Volante Vision has been designed by Marek Reichmann; you certainly can't say all Astons look the same now! He described the concept as a "unique chance to create a luxury aircraft that will represent the ultimate fusion of art and technology."

Aston says this is a "near-future" study, so what that means for its actual feasibility as a project we're not quite sure. It's hard to picture people commuting by Aston electric plane in the next few years, put it that way. It's being presented at the Farnborough Air Show this week though, so if you're there and do get chance to see it, please send us a pic. Wonder what Aston has lined up for us next week...