Created by French designer Ludovic Lazareth in 2019, the LMV 496 is a limited-edition vehicle with only five units ever built. Its grand debut took place at the Geneva International Motor Show in Doha, Qatar, in the latter part of 2023.
The Lazareth LMV 496 is not your run-of-the-mill motorbike; it is a real-life transformer that turns from a sleek electric motorcycle into a helicopter. On land, its lithium battery powers a 100-kilometre range. Then, when the urge to take to the skies kicks in, the four V8 kerosene-powered jet turbines nestled in its four wheels – yes, four wheels – spring into action, transforming the bike into a personal helicopter whisking its rider away on a thrilling flight, albeit for only twelve minutes.
In keeping with the brand’s unique modus operandi, another Lazareth creation is the LM 847, a motorcycle with a Maserati Gran Turismo engine. Its 4.7-litre V8 heart churns out 470 horsepower at 7,000 rpm, with a maximum torque of 620 Nm at 4,750 rpm. The bike weighs a mere 400 kilograms (while the car tips the scales at almost two tons). Its power-to-weight- ratio rivals that of any hypercar, and its direct hydraulic transmission ensures seamless gear shifts. Of course, such cutting-edge technology comes at a price: the LMV 496 and the LM 847 will set you back around 500,000 euros each.
Lazareth flying motorcycle
