GREAT SCOTT: THIS IS AN ALL-ELECTRIC DELOREAN DMC-12, AND IT ACTUALLY GOES… A BIT FAST
The future that Marty McFly spent so much time trying to understand is finally here (sort of) because the DeLorean DMC-12 can now be electrified. It comes courtesy of a new ‘drop-in’ kit from UK-based Electrogenic - you know, the firm that previously electrified Khal Drogo’s vintage Rolls-Royce Phantom.
While the DMC-12's looks and ability to elicit random outbursts of '1.21 gigawatts!' were never in question, its 2.8-litre V6 was somewhere on the spectrum between mostly useless and entirely useless. Consider that it produced a paltry 132bhp and a few higher torques. Genuinely, you'd get more power from static zipping up a hazmat suit.
Electrogenic has now fixed that with a 215bhp single electric motor setup, which also ups the torque to 229lb ft, and means this baby achieves a sub-five-second sprint to 62mph (less than half the original car’s time). Interestingly, Electrogenic also says this conversion can be applied to both automatic and manual transmission examples.
This motor is then paired with 43kWh of OEM-grade batteries in place of the fuel tank and allows for around 150 miles of silent propulsion. You’ll also get regenerative braking technology incorporated as part of the kit. No thrusters for aerial travel as yet, sadly.
Other changes include a selection of driver modes weaved into the car’s ECU - including ‘Eco’ and ‘Sport’ modes - while Vehicle to Load capabilities mean it could be used to charge tablets, phones and any other electronica to fuel a remote Back to the Future marathon. Electrogenic will also throw in Apple CarPlay, improved climate control and the virtual dashboard, all of which means it may actually be usable on a daily basis.
Here’s what Steve Drummond, the CEO of Electrogenic, said: “When John DeLorean set out to make the DMC-12 over forty years ago, he was determined to create a sports car that was sustainable and would stand the test of time. An EV conversion therefore makes total sense and feels in keeping with the ethos of the original project.”
The current price estimate sits at between £65k and £85k for a conversion, which will touch eerily close to the £100k mark once VAT is factored in. Worth if it you can find a legitimate excuse to wear a gilet.