And suddenly, we have multiple new DeLoreans coming
Kat DeLorean, daughter of John DeLorean, the GM auto executive who went on to build the DeLorean DMC-12 sports car, posted this self-description on her LinkedIn profile: “Using my years of experience as a technologist and mentor to build the next generation of Security Professionals.” She had a 20-year affiliation with Bank of America, the site says, as a “Security Rockstar,” meaning, if nothing else, that you learn something new every day.
And now comes this: A post on DNGMotors.com this week says that Kat DeLorean is bringing her rockstar security credentials to a new project. “Kat DeLorean, daughter of legendary automotive engineer John DeLorean, is following in her father’s footsteps by building a new sports car,” the post reads. “The car will be named the Model-JZD in honor of John Zachary DeLorean. With DeLorean DNA, there is one place to build the car, the Motor City. DeLorean Next Generation Motors will begin assembly of the Model-JZD in Detroit, Michigan, in January of 2023, with an expected unveiling by the end of the year.”
That’s pretty quick, since only now is DeLorean launching the “DNG Motors logo contest, where you design the logo for our new car and company. We are looking for a logo for the model JZD, a badge for the car for DNG, and a company logo.” No word on prizes, if there are any.
But wait! Isn’t there already a new EV DeLorean sports car coming? The answer is yes, no, and maybe. You’re thinking of the Alpha5 which, if it existed, would go 0-60 mph in 2.99 seconds (estimated), en route to a 155 mph top speed (also estimated). Range is estimated to be 300 miles. You can see it at Delorean.com, along with photos of eyeballs, hands reaching across space, and somebody making a heart symbol with her fingers. It’s a very touchy-feely website, and it—and the Alpha5—has nothing to do with Kat DeLorean.
In fact, she posted this on her Instagram account about the Texas-based DeLorean Motor Company: “Not John DeLorean’s Company. DMC is not 40 years old, and not associated with the DeLorean Family, or my father’s ongoing legacy. Please stop lying and stop speaking about John now, he despised you.” The “you” referred to is likely Stephen Wynne, a Liverpool-born mechanic who came to the U.S. and began specializing in leftover DeLoreans, eventually acquiring the rights to the brand, and becoming the CEO. It is through that path that DMC has the rights to DeLorean, and already has a logo. Current CEO is Joost de Vries, and the chief marketing officer is Troy Beetz, both of whom came from the EV company Karma.
To buy the Alpha5, Newsweek has instructions: “The Alpha5 will be a 2024 model, but order books to purchase one of the 9351 examples opened on September 30. To reserve a production slot, buyers need to join DeLorean’s Alphas Club by purchasing a lifetime membership for $88.” Price of the car has not been revealed. It will be built in Texas. Or Italy. More information can be found in this National Public Radio report.
Bottom line: You have to wonder about the allure of the DeLorean name to spawn not one but two undeniably pretty (and estimated) six-figure EV sports cars. The original DeLorean was not exactly a sales success, and without its appearance in the 1985 movie Back to the Future, it could have faded into the automotive trivia world, along with Bricklin.
Which, apparently, no one wants to revive. Yet.
Oh boy! Yet another electric earth saver for the 1%. For decades we were told that the electric car break through would help save the world by shifting to a more efficient platform. No one ever thought back then that it would become the playthings of the rich and famous! Cheaper and affordable electric is out there in other countries but because of greed, will not make it to the U.S. any time soon. If you are really wealthy, it would be a struggle just deciding witch one of the dozens of 6 or 7 digit toys to buy!
Oh, absolutely not. 1. My father wanted an affordable sports car . The 12 in DMC12 stands for the $12,000 he wanted it to cost. So if I can’t make it affordable it doesn’t deserve my father’s name. Now $12,000 matched the corvette price, or undercut it by $2000 but we don’t want a $100,000 car no one can afford.
Also, it was designed as an EV but we are researching multiple powertrains and I am a muscle car girl. I own a WS6 and Z06 and the GTO was always my proudest accomplishment…I never found my ‘66 tripower.
All I ask is you give me a chance to change your heart with my actions, nit my words.
Does it come with a glovebox full of cocaine?
Gotta finance it somehow…but I think it’ll take the cash from a trunkful instead of a glovebox. Price? $200K for the car, $2 mil for the contents of the trunk.
Yeah, my wager is on nothing ever happening from either company!
No, but snow tires are optional (for real)
Ho hum. More DeLorean news. The original was a pretty lousy car. Now we have two new ones that are no doubt much better, and better looking, as show cars go, if anything ever reaches production. But will we ever be able to buy one? Would we want to? Could we afford one? Probably a lot of ‘nos’ to those questions. We will see.
I went to Kat’s LinkedIn page.
This DeLorean lost me at (She/Her)
Love the idea of owning a DeLorean. I’ve always wanted one of the originals. If this new one comes with the flux capacitor included I’ll definitely buy one so I can go back in time and get the original.
Can’t wait to see it , I drove the Delorean in the back of the future movies as a Stunt man…
What a great story Kat, I’m behind you! It’s clear to see the apple did not fall from the tree, you are a mover and a shaker. Let’s see this car produced! My father retired from Pontiac and is a big fan of JZD, and I read his book “On a Clear Day You Can See General Motors”.
Kat,build your dream and enjoy it.The concepts are beautiful.The only peoples opinions that matter are from those you care about.IF i can make a request it would be pursuit of hydrogen and or hybrid powerplants.Dream big and just keep swimming.God bless you and your family.
I was thinking about submitting some designs for this because it would be cool if I were to happen to be chosen. How likely that would have been shall remained unknown. Here is the text from the prize section of the contest rules:
“Prize – User’s logo will be used to promote the new car and program and credited to the designer at the sole discretion of DNG Motors and its affiliated companies. This is a contest for a working logo and DNG Motors reserves the right to use or discontinue use of the logo design at its sole discretion with no notification to the participant. Winner will be invited to join the DNG team at the unveiling of the car at their own expense and will be invited to work with the DNG Design team on the design project on a volunteer basis. There is no monetary value for this prize.”
How nice of them to invite someone to pay their own way to the unveiling. No thanks.