DeLorean's Flight: Why eVTOL Racing is a Smarter Move Than It Looks

For decades, the name DeLorean has conjured images of the DMC-12, a stainless-steel icon forever linked to time travel, despite its original production woes. More recently, the brand's reimagined entity, DeLorean Motor Company, has been teasing the Alpha5, an electric vehicle aiming to honor that retro-futuristic spirit. But what if the true future of DeLorean doesn't involve roads at all? The brand's recent announcement to enter the Airspeeder International Series with an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft suggests precisely that, charting a course far beyond its automotive roots.

Just days ago, DeLorean confirmed it will field a team in the Airspeeder electric flying car racing series, becoming the first American constructor in the all-electric aerial championship, with competition slated to begin in November as Autoweek reports. This unexpected pivot sees DeLorean stepping into the nascent world of flying vehicle motorsport, a stark contrast to the ground-bound, albeit futuristic, Alpha5 electric concept car that has been the focus of its modern revival efforts since its unveiling in May 2022.

Redefining a Legacy, Not Just Reliving It

The DeLorean brand, for all its pop-culture immortality, has always grappled with a commercial reality far less glamorous than its cinematic portrayal. The original DMC-12 suffered from a rocky production life and technical issues, leading to its short run from 1981 to 1983 Fleet Evolution notes. The Alpha5, designed by Italdesign—the same firm behind the original DMC-12—was intended to inject new life into this legacy, boasting impressive preliminary specs, such as a projected 0-60 mph sprint in 2.99 seconds as noted by Wikipedia and an estimated range exceeding 300 miles per reports from Fleet Evolution and MotorTrend.

However, the Alpha5's journey has been anything but smooth. Initial production estimates of 9,531 units—one more than the original DMC-12—were reportedly cut by more than half to around 4,000 units, citing supply chain problems according to Syfy.com. Adding to these woes, the company has faced legal challenges, with Italdesign seeking payment for their design work on the Alpha5 and securing a judgment in their favor from an international arbitration court as detailed by Wikipedia. Furthermore, customer concerns have emerged regarding the exchange of NFT deposits, which were part of an unusual preorder process. Such hurdles suggest that relying solely on a nostalgic car in a competitive EV market might not be enough to secure DeLorean's future.

The Sky's the Limit: Embracing New Frontiers

The decision to enter the Airspeeder International Series with an eVTOL racing team is a decisive pivot, signaling that DeLorean is not content to be merely a retro-futuristic car manufacturer.