The newest entry in the EV market is going Back to the Future with an all-electric DeLorean.
The iconic gull-wing vehicle is being revived by a group of executives who recently spent time at China-backed EV startup Karma Automotive. They’re working with Liverpool-born Stephen Wynne, who acquired the DeLorean branding rights in the 1990s and supplies parts for the 6,000 or so remaining vehicles from a shop in Humble, Texas.
John DeLorean founded the DeLorean Motor Company in Detroit, Michigan, on October 24, 1975 and found support from the Northern Ireland government. The luxury vehicle was made in Belfast, and went on sale in 1981. It caught the eye of young Robert Zemeckis, who thought it would look great onscreen. He was right, and DeLoran sales went up as Back to the Future featured the shiny, stainless steel car as a time-machine in movies and TV.
(Trivia: It took 6 Deloreans to create the original Back to the Future movie).
Unfortunately, DeLorean had already stopped making cars by the time the movie appeared in 1985.
The new concept car – which was first teased back in February – is set to premiere at the prestigious California car show Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in mid-August, with limited production set to begin in 2024.
There are reports from Joost de Vries, the current CEO of DeLorean Motor Company, that the car will be made in Texas, and in Italy.
The result is a car that bears some resemblance to its predecessor, with gull-wing doors and a louvered rear window. But some things are new, like its four seats and a pair of big screens, one in front of the steering wheel and one attached to the center console.
Kat DeLorean Seymour is John DeLoreans’ daughter. She says that the new car and company are not approved by her or her father.
The DeLorean has remained current in part because the car has appeared in over 50 video games, including Forza and Grand Theft Auto. And this flying model.
The DeLorean EV is targeting a 100kWh battery pack that could provide over 300 miles of range and power all-wheel-drive steering. Italdesign, headed by legendary automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, is designing this one, as he did the original. (it will not have a paintless, corrosion-resistant stainless steel body again, because that’s too darn heavy in 2022.) It will be the among the fastest EVs.
The specifications for the base model include a range of more than 300 miles and a top speed of 155 miles per hour. The company says the Alpha5 will be able to accelerate from zero to 60 in under 3 seconds. Pricing is expected to be in the $175,000 range.
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David Raiklen wrote, directed and scored his first film at age 9. He began studying keyboard and composing at age 5. He attended, then taught at UCLA, USC and CalArts. Among his teachers are John Williams and Mel Powel.
He has worked for Fox, Disney and Sprint. David has received numerous awards for his work, including the 2004 American Music Center Award. Dr. Raiklen has composed music and sound design for theater (Death and the Maiden), dance (Russian Ballet), television (Sing Me a Story), cell phone (Spacey Movie), museums (Museum of Tolerance), concert (Violin Sonata ), and film (Appalachian Trail).
His compositions have been performed at the Hollywood Bowl and the first Disney Hall. David Raiken is also host of a successful radio program, Classical Fan Club.
If the *Back to the Future* DeLorean and Kitt (*Knight Rider*) had a baby–I’d want that car!
You and me both.