The 1981 DeLorean dmc 12 is still one of the most recognizable cars of its age, initially snubbed and deemed an utter failure during its single year of production between 1981 and 1982, but then given a new lease of life by its appearance in the iconic movie “Back to the Future” in 1985 as the time-traveling car. Since then, the car has gained a kind of cult following, and there are apparently some 6,000 or so DeLorean dmc 12 cars still on the road today.
After more than 40 years of associating the DeLorean with its unforgettable gull-wing doors, stainless steel paneling, and angular lines, the DeLorean Motor Company set up in 1995 by Liverpool-born mechanic Stephen Wynne has finally delivered a resurrection model for a new electric age – the DeLorean Alpha5 EV.
DeLorean Alpha5 EV: First look
The new electric DeLorean Alpha5 was first unveiled at the end of May 2022, though not quite in full. The car is set to properly debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August 2022, though from pictures released during the first unveiling, we’ve already seen and learned a lot about this incredible new EV.
The design of the vehicle was done by Italdesign, with two clear design nods to the original DeLorean dmc 12. The first is the athletic coupe shape of the Alpha5, which is distinctly DeLorean-esque but with a healthy dose of modern curvature and grace. The second nod is the gull-wing doors, which appear as standard on the new model, too.
Released photographs also show two exterior colors, well-crafted sports seats, a fully digital interior with instrument cluster and center touchscreen, a sloping rear coupe roof with distinctive slats, and an ultra-stylish wraparound rear light design that frames the car beautifully. At the front end are shown sleek, modern headlight designs with an illuminated DeLorean logo.
DeLorean Alpha5 EV: Capabilities
The full technical details are still to be confirmed, and should be when the launch edition models are revealed at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The official website, however, does reveal some key facts about the car’s performance capabilities. For instance, we know that it will be a fast car to rival even the fastest Tesla electric models, achieving 0-60 mph in just 2.99 seconds, and 0-88 mph in 4.35 seconds – a nod to the Back to the Future movie plot there!
The Alpha5 EV will have a top speed of 155-mph, and a single-charge range of more than 300 miles thanks to its estimated battery capacity of more than 100kWh. Such a range would launch it immediately ahead of much of the competition out there, placing it firmly in close competition with the likes of high-end EV models such as Tesla and Lucid Air. Finally, it promises to be a highly aerodynamic design with a drag coefficient of just 0.23.
DeLorean Alpha5 EV: See you at Pebble Beach
One reporter at NPR has estimated that the Alpha5 will set you back about $175,000, but don’t expect to see them arriving in bulk at a local dealership anytime soon. The ones you see at Pebble Beach will represent part of an initial production run of just 88 models – there’s another nod to the movie plot.
You can try to get on the list on the company’s reservation page, but these iconic first editions will be out of reach for the majority of us. In the meantime, the world waits with bated breath for the arrival of the final production model at Pebble Beach.
