The DeLorean name returns in 2024 as a striking electric coupe that will target cars such as the Porsche Taycan and the Mercedes-AMG GT. Called Alpha5, the new model will make its first public outing at Pebble Beach Car Week in August and represents a new era for the company that will include other models in time.
Like the original DMC, the DeLorean Alpha5 has dramatic gullwing doors that lift skywards to reveal a spacious cabin with seating for four. A minimalist interior provides a fully digital instrument display and modestly sized central touchscreen for the infotainment system that forms part of the full-length centre console with further storage underneath.
“There was this enormous responsibility to make sure we honoured the history of the DeLorean brand, but an even greater responsibility in curating its future. I think we did both with the Alpha5, said Troy Beetz, Chief Marketing Officer.
DeLorean has yet to reveal the full performance and technical details, but it has said the car would have acceleration from 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds. The top speed is limited to 241km/h and a driving range of more than 480 kilometres on the stricter EPA cycle in the United States, thanks to a battery that it says will be larger than 100kWh.
Leading the revival of DeLorean is a former Tesla and Karma executive named Joost de Vries. Speaking at the debut of the Alpha5, de Vries said the car is “catering to the internal-combustion crowd than trying to become a faster Tesla Model S Plaid.
With the DeLorean brand famed for its stainless steel-bodied sports car and being a star of the Back To The Future series, the new company intends to sell an initial production run totalling 88 models. Unlike the wedge-shaped original, the new Alpha5 features smooth lines and an impressive drag coefficient of 0.23. Aerodynamically optimised wheels, a large rear diffuser and a sealed front grille contribute to extending the range and an attractive appearance.
