300 Horses and a 200-mph Top Speed: Soon You May Have to Choose Between Driving Fast and Flying

Samson Sky has moved another step closer to bringing its Switchblade flying car to market, kicking off tests of its hybrid powertrain and prepping an AI assistant designed specifically for flight.

The company says the project has entered a new development phase. After the Switchblade completed its first successful flight in 2023, updates went quiet for a while. Now Samson Sky reports that its hybrid setup has undergone its first round of bench testing.

The Switchblade uses a turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at about 300 hp, paired with an 800-volt hybrid system. On the road, it can reach roughly 99 mph; once airborne, it’s designed to hit around 200 mph and climb to about 13,000 feet. Switching from car mode to flight mode takes roughly three minutes as the wings and tail assembly extend.

Because the Switchblade falls under the experimental aircraft category, future owners will need more than a driver’s license — a pilot certificate is required. Buyers also have to take part in the build process: regulations mandate that the customer completes 51 percent of the assembly through the company’s Builder Assist program.

Next up, the hybrid powertrain will undergo additional testing at the University of Dayton’s research facilities. After that, the system will be mounted on a test truck to simulate the load and behavior of the aircraft’s propeller.

Interest in the flying car hasn’t faded. Samson Sky says it has around 2,900 reservations from customers worldwide. Developers note that an onboard AI assistant will help pilots during flight, though a fully autonomous mode isn’t part of the plan.