Engineers at Alauda Aeronautics have unveiled the Airspeeder Mk4, the first crewed version of its flying racing car.

Designed and built in Adelaide, Australia, the Airspeeder Mk4 is the world's fastest hydrogen electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Capable of reaching a top speed of 360 kph (225 mph) in just 30 seconds from a standing start, it's designed to set the bar for performance and technology in the radical new sport of piloted Airspeeder racing.

It also boasts a Thunderstrike Hydrogen Turbogenerator, offers an exceptional range of 300km (188 miles), and Artificial Intelligence Gimballed Thrust technology that produces handling qualities of a Formula 1 car.

The announcement comes ahead of the first crewed Airspeeder races scheduled for 2024.

Matt Pearson, CEO of Alauda Aeronautics, says: "In unveiling the crewed Mk4 we show the vehicles that will battle it out in blade-to-blade racing crewed by the most highly-skilled pilots in their fields."

With its sophisticated electric propulsion system, advanced aerodynamics and a take-off weight (MTOW) of just 950kg, the Airspeeder Mk4 is also extremely efficient, with a projected range of 300km (188 miles) while producing near-zero emissions.

The Airspeeder Mk4 is powered by a 1,000 kW (1,340 horsepower) turbogenerator which feeds power to the batteries and motors. Specifically designed for use in eVTOLs, this revolutionary technology allows green hydrogen to be used as fuel, providing safe, reliable and sustainable power over long distances and flight times.