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The DeLorean returns with electric motor

Digital Trends - Jeff Hughes | Digital Trends

 


 

The iconic gull-winged DeLorean DMC-12, which you all remember as Marty McFly's stylish time machine from the Back to the Future series, will be coming back in 2013. The DeLorean Motor Company of Texas is teaming up with a startup named Epic EV to put the DMC-12 back into production-with a few improvements.

 

Though no Mr. Fusion, Epic EV and DMC are gutting the DeLorean's V6 engine and replacing it with an electric motor made by a California battery systems company aptly named Flux Power. The new model will be called the DMCEV.

 

According to Kevin McCauley at Jalopnik, who recently got to test drive the "version 0.9" of the car with DMC president Stephen Wynne, the electric motor will be the equivalent of 260 hp and have a range of 110 to 160 kilometres. The DMCEV will be able to do 0-to-60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h. The prototype featured a built-in iPhone dock and a hinged grill hiding the charging port.

 


 

 

The motor adds 90 kilograms to the car, which is offset with a new lighter underbody developed by Epic EV. The positioning of the battery apparently improves the weight distribution on the older DeLoreans. McCauley also points out that though the prototype he was able to drive was DC, the company is moving towards a battery with regenerative AC tech.

 

The DMC-12 was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and sold in America in 1981 and 1982; though a failure, the car acquired a cult following. Prior to the Epic EV partnership the DeLorean Motor Company was pumping out limited editions of the DMC-12 with older parts and newer engines and suspension. The company hasn't released information on price yet.

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