Aston Martin enters the aviation market with Volante eVTOL

Aston Martin is not a name one associate with aviation, but the luxury car maker is hoping to change that with the introduction of a high-end, three-seat hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft targeted at the wealthy elite. The concept, known as the Volante Vision, is making its international debut at Farnborough, where Aston Martin and its UK partners Cranfield University, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions and Rolls-Royce are seeking to drum up interest in the project.“This is a new line in luxury urban mobility,” says Aston Martin vice-president and chief marketing officer Simon Sproule. “We started our journey around 18 months ago by approaching Cranfield with a design, which they validated," he continues. "Rolls-Royce came on board around six months ago, and together we have produced what we believe will be a very successful programme.”