Zuri TD 2.0 Demonstrates Excellence in Regional Air Mobility

Zuri, the Prague-based designer and manufacturer of hybrid-electric eVTOLs, has just announced more information about their Technology Demonstrator 2.0 (TD 2.0). In a sector crowded with all-electric air taxi concepts chasing short urban routes, this Czech startup is carving out a distinctly different space. The company’s newly revealed Technology Demonstrator 2.0 (TD 2.0) is more than a test prototype, it’s the foundation of a hybrid-electric tiltrotor aimed squarely at regional air mobility, not just city-center hops.

TD 2.0 represents Zuri’s first full-scale, unmanned aircraft designed to validate the systems and architecture behind its future five-seat hybrid VTOL. Weighing in around 700 kilograms, the demonstrator will be used to test hybrid power management, tiltrotor aerodynamics, and the flight control logic needed for seamless transitions between hover, conversion, and wing-borne cruise. For Zuri, this demonstrator is the bridge between years of subscale model testing and a certifiable aircraft built for real-world operations.

A key differentiator is Zuri’s hybrid-electric propulsion system. The company has long argued that a pure battery-electric VTOL isn’t practical for meaningful regional distances, given current energy densities and infrastructure limitations. Their alternative is a hybrid approach: electric power for the high-demand vertical phases, backed by a turbine generator during cruise. By reducing dependence on fast-charging stations and offering extended range, the design is meant to sidestep one of the biggest bottlenecks facing urban eVTOL developers. It also gives Zuri the flexibility to operate in regions where charging infrastructure is sparse or nonexistent.

Watch Zuri’s video and get a peak of Zuri’s new facility, and learn more about their Hybrid VTOL program (video below):

Zuri.com SE

• Founded in 2017 by CEO Michal Illich
• Headquartered in Prague, Czechia 🇨🇿
• Manufacturer of Hybrid VTOL Aircraft
  • Hybrid-electric propulsion
  • 700 km (435 miles) range
  • 350km/h (217 mph) speed to rescue patients quickly
  • Tourism, regional air travel/commutes
  • Use in civilian and military SAR & MEDEVAC
  • Cargo/logistics support
  • Runs on aviation fuel, SAF-compatible from day one
  • 4 passenger plus 1 pilot (passenger configuration)
  • 1 reclining patient, up to 2 medical personnel plus 1 pilot (MEDEVAC & SAR configuration)

Zuri’s TD 2.0

• Technology Demonstrator 2.0 (TD 2.0)
  • Unmanned
  • MTOW: 690 kg
  • Cruise Speed (Vc): 200 km/h
  • Range: 200 – 250 km ^*
  • Material: All-metal construction

^*Visual Flight Rules
(Values subject to ongoing validation as part of test and development program)

Validating the Hybrid System

TD 2.0’s objectives include power and energy management:

• Testing of control logic for hybrid power, balancing power between batteries and the generator.
• Evaluating battery structure, cooling, and performance under realistic loads.
• Optimizing energy flow across components (generator, batteries, motors).
• Verifying safety and redundancy architectures, critical for hybrid-electric flight.

This architecture is not just for the demonstrator; it’s intended to form the backbone of Zuri’s future commercial aircraft, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) compatibility from day one.

TD 2.0 also showcases a refined aerodynamic layout. Zuri has reworked the tail structure and propulsion arrangement to improve efficiency in forward flight and enhance stability during transitions. With eight active rotors distributed across the aircraft, the design offers redundancy while keeping hover performance balanced. Once the aircraft converts to forward flight, the lift shifts to the wings, drastically lowering the power required compared to hover, which is a crucial factor for maximizing range.

Zuri 2.0 (5 seater hybrid-electric eVTOL)

Skeleton and Iron Bird

Skeleton is essentially a full-size mock-up of Zuri’s next-gen hybrid VTOL architecture, built to test critical systems without actually flying (yet). According to Zuri, it’s about 60% of the size of what their future production aircraft will be, but that’s more than enough to validate electronics, control systems, and hybrid propulsion dynamics.

To support development, Zuri is building a full “Iron Bird” test rig, enabling the team to evaluate the hybrid system, energy flows, battery behavior, cooling, and redundancy on the ground before committing to flight. TD 2.0 itself is constructed primarily of metal, a deliberate choice allowing faster iteration and easier modification in this early phase. The production aircraft, however, is planned to transition to advanced composites to reduce weight and improve overall performance.

Zuri’s CEO Michal Illich and CTO Predrag Kovačević discuss the process and rationale of building their “Skeleton” test bed, Iron Bird, and Zuri TD 2.0 (watch below):

Zuri 2.0 (5 seater hybrid electric eVTOL)

The demonstrator is just the first step toward Zuri’s intended five-seat hybrid VTOL. The company is targeting cruise speeds around 350 km/h and regional-class range figures, putting its ambitions closer to fixed-wing capabilities than short-hop taxis. It’s a concept built for intercity travel, remote access, and underserved regional corridors that lack conventional transport options.

Zuri 2.0 (Future Hybrid VTOL Aircraft )

• Seating Capacity: 5 (1 pilot + 4 passengers)
• MTOW: 2 800 kg
• Cruise Speed (Vc): 350 km/h
• Range: 700 km ^*
• Material: Composite construction

^*Visual Flight Rules
(Values subject to ongoing validation as part of test and development program)

What makes Zuri especially notable within the wider advanced air mobility landscape is its versatility. While its long-term vision centers around regional passenger transport, the underlying platform is just as applicable to cargo, emergency response, and defense missions, which are areas where hybrid propulsion and VTOL flexibility offer immediate, practical advantages.

A Concept Coming to Life

Zuri’s Technology Demonstrator 2.0 (TD 2.0) marks a critical turning point in the company’s journey from concept to certifiable hybrid VTOL aircraft. By building a full-scale, unmanned tiltrotor demonstrator in the 700-kg class, Zuri is validating not just its hybrid-electric propulsion system, but also the control laws and aerodynamic architecture that will define its future five-seat regional vehicle.

As the first flight campaign for TD 2.0 approaches (expected in late 2026– early 2027), Zuri stands poised at the vanguard of regional advanced air mobility. This demonstrator could pave the way for a practical, efficient, and sustainable aircraft that bridges the gap between urban eVTOLs and traditional fixed-wing aircraft, bringing Zuri’s vision of long-range eVTOL travel firmly into view.

More Info:

Zuri Technology Demonstrator 2.0: Advancing Hybrid VTOL Toward Regional Air Mobility: click here

Official website of Zuri.com SE: click here

Zuri’s eVTOL, the Czech RAM climbing its way to the top of Regional Air Mobility: click here

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