DeLorean DMC-12 adds yet more street cred with EV conversion

The original DeLorean DMC-12 was something of a letdown as bona-fide sports car, offering lacklustre performance from its petrol V6, average dynamics and major quality issues.

But its unique appearance and stainless-steel body panels attracted the attention of Hollywood directors and it became the automotive star of the Back to the Future franchise, netting it worldwide fame in the process.

No fewer than 6500 DMC-12s were estimated to still be on the road in 2015 and now their owners have the option to enhance their retro coupes with a new ‘drop-in’ battery-electric drivetrain courtesy of British EV conversion specialist Electrogenic, which previously also applied its battery-electric treatment to the classic 1971 Citroen DS.

The system is based around a 43kWh battery pack – stashed behind the cabin where the fuel tank – and a 160kW/310Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels via a fixed-ratio gearbox and transaxle.

The combination is said to offer a maximum range of more than 240km and genuine sports car performance – something the original powerplant never delivered – including a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of about five seconds, making it roughly twice as quick as the original DMC-12.

Launch control plays a big part in harnessing the motor’s instant torque, but so do the selectable drive profiles ranging from Eco to Sport, while a multi-mode regenerative braking system ekes back energy to extend the range.

Other standout inclusions include CCS rapid charging and vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging functionality, and features like Apple CarPlay, enhanced air-conditioning and a bespoke virtual dashboard are all available as options.

Electrogenic CEO Steve Drummond said there has been huge interest in an EV conversion kit for the DeLorean ever since the firm opened its doors in 2018, with the DMC-12’s stunning looks and underwhelming performance making it an ideal candidate.

“We’re delighted with the results of our ‘plug and play’ DeLorean EV conversion package; it transforms the DMC-12 from an American cruiser into a true sports car with performance that perfectly matches its timeless space-age visuals,” he said.

“During the DeLorean’s road-testing and calibration program for over the past few months, our engineering team has been blown away by the response it gets from the public; it generates interest and excitement like nothing else.

“You’re constantly being stopped by DeLorean fans asking for pictures or wanting to take a closer look at the car.”

Electrogenic hasn’t publicly announced pricing for the DMC-12 conversion, but it won’t come cheap – and we hear it could soon be offered via a local partner in Australia.

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