(ANSA) - TRIESTE - A Bavarian start-up is developing a five-seat "flying car" after successful test flights over Germany of a smaller version of the electric jet, Reuters said, reporting company's statement. Munich-based Lilium, backed by investors who include Skype co-founder Niklas Zennstrom, affirmed the jet could be used for urban air taxi.

Lilium said its jet, with a range of 300 km and cruising speed of 300 km per hour, is the only electric aircraft capable of both vertical take-off and jet-powered flight. The jet, whose power consumption per km is comparable to an electric car, could offer passenger flights at prices comparable to normal taxis but with speeds five times faster, Lilium said.

Airbus aims to test its prototype self-piloted, single-seat "flying car" later in 2017 and Slovakian firm AeroMobil delcared it would start taking pre-orders for a hybrid flying car that can drive on roads. Other potential rivals include crowd-funded eVolo with its two-seat "multicopter". Us firm Terrafugia aims to build a mass-market flying car, while Us-Israeli firm Joby Aviation said it is working on a four-seater drone. Google, Tesla and Uber have also reportedly shown interest in the new technology. (ANSA).