Nearly 30 years after it became a film icon, the DeLorean DMC-12 sports car may be making a comeback in 2013, this time with an electric engine. DeLorean Motor Company of Texas is working with electric-car startup Epic EV to put an all-electric DMC-12 into production in the next couple of years.
"Gas? Where we're going we don't need gas!" reads the license plate of this customized electric de Lorean, a tip of the hat to Back to the Future. PHOTO CREDIT: Jalopnik.com The new version of the car, which starred in the "Back to the Future" film series, was unveiled last week is a development model of a car called DMCEV,
car-oriented site Jalopnik.com reported. "The companies haven't released any specs yet, but if it's anything like Epic EV's Torq Roadster, it'll get a 200 hp+, 44V/156V electric motor, powered by a 24-30 KWh lithium ion phosphate battery. Sure, it's bit low on jiggawatts right now, but the companies have two years to get that sorted out," Jalopnik said.
The interior of the electric de Lorean is updated with GPS and an iPhone dock. PHOTO CREDIT: Jalopnik.com at the International DeLorean Owners Event in Houston, Texas last weekend showed DMC has removed the car's original engine, which critics had laughed off as underpowered, with a 260 hp (equivalent) electric motor. Its interior also got an update, minus the time machine controls in the film but plus "modern" parts like an integrated iPhone dock inside and a hinged grille up front that opens to reveal the charging port. The prototype tested by Jalopnik had a range of 70 miles "comfortably" and closer to 100 miles when driven extra efficiently. "If the DMCEV can maintain such performance while producing a reasonable range it'll be an accomplishment given the electric system adds about 200 pounds to the weight of the car, despite the lack of engine and transmission. DMC plans to offset this with a an all-new resin infused composite underbody they've developed with Epic EV that is hundreds of pounds lighter," Jalopnik said. The battery positioning also helps improve on the rear-biased 35%/65% weight distribution of the standard DeLorean. "The motor in the prototype is a DC-type, but the next prototype will move to regenerative AC technology, which will boost efficiency further," Jalopnik said.
— TJD, GMA News 
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