CNET UK has gone hands-on with an electric version of the iconic DeLorean of Back to the Future fame. Hit play on the video above to get a video tour of the electric-powered marvel.
We heard that the DeLorean Motor Company was working on an electric version of the Marty McFly-ferrying DMC-12 way back in October, and now we've finally had a chance to find out what's bubbling under the bonnet.
The car's makers have taken all the combustion gubbins out, replacing the petrol-guzzling guts with rechargeable batteries. There are cells in the boot and under the bonnet, and each cell stores 3V worth of charge.
When fully charged the DeLorean has 35kW of power. There's no Flux Capacitor, but some of the tech inside the car is Flux branded, just to please Back to the Future nerds (it worked -- we can confirm we're pleased).
In terms of range, expect to get 70 miles on an all-American highway, or 100 miles if you're driving in the city. The electric DeLorean should charge completely in about three hours.
It has a top speed of 120mph and can achieve 0-60 in 4.8 seconds -- handy for escaping Libyans who are trying to get their plutonium back.
The inside's been given a modern makeover too, with the gear-shift stick replaced with a control dial. There are three buttons to open the gull-wing doors, and a sat-nav and iPod dock are also in place.
The DeLorean Motor Company -- which isn't associated with the now-bust original manufacturer, but uses the same name -- is working on a follow-up prototype, with a focus on better range and increased power. Fingers crossed there's a version we can buy soon.
Does the electric DeLorean have you drooling? Tell us in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
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Comments 6
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alyeo82 12 January, 2012 13:57
"The DeLorean Motor Company -- which isn't associated with the now-bust original manufacturer, but uses the same name "
The 2 companies obviously share a TLA (three letter acronym) but they don't share the same name.
The original company was called, "Detroit Motor Company"
Anyway - so long as it'l reach 88 miles an hour - all will be well...
anonymous 12 January, 2012 14:18
Thats ******** - John DeLorean named the company after himself!! Its always been the DeLorean Motor Company
The cars were built in Ireland, not the US
Dean Shepherd 12 January, 2012 14:28
they removed the gear stick and have a 'control' wheel...and buttons to control the doors? ahhh damn :(
I loved the old style look, this newer buttons and dials look just doesn't do it for me to be fair :/
Loadit 12 January, 2012 14:50
What you mean the original delorean was made in Ireland? Can't be true everything is built in US obviously. :P
anonymous 13 January, 2012 02:07
Yea it was built close to me in Dunmurry N.Ireland. The company was named of course after its founder John Zachary DeLorean. Stephen Wynne started a separate company using the same name and bought the rights for the logo of DeLorean Motor Company. The current DeLorean company in Houston has no relation.
anonymous 10 May, 2012 00:14
It actually has somewhere between 140 and 200kW of power. You must mean that the batteries have 35kWh of energy when fully charged (not 35kW of power - batteries don't hold power, they hold energy and give power).