Everyone is buzzing about the upcoming coupe by Delorean Motor Company, so it's no secret that the DeLorean DMC-12 is making a come... sigh... back to the future. Now that that's out of the way, let's focus on when exactly this time machine will be available for purchase again and what we can expect from the new and improved classic stainless steel American sports car.
Why Did the DeLorean DMC-12 Fail and How Can I Buy One?
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Until very recently, it was virtually impossible to be a low volume car manufacturer in America. The issue for smaller companies was that all manufacturers were held to the same regulatory standards, regardless of size. This proved to be bad for the American market in many ways, but for would-be small-time car manufacturers, especially sports car manufactures, it meant that there was simply no way to keep up with the resources of the giants.
For instance, companies that create millions of cars must be regulated in order to protect the environment. Millions of cars pumping out toxic, unregulated fumes from cheap engines would be bad for everyone. However, the process of designing and creating a new, environmentally responsible model and keeping it certified by the EPA and NHTSA is expensive and unrealistic for low volume manufacturers.
This new law smartly allows smaller manufacturers' models to piggy-back on the certifications of similar more massively produced models by larger companies. By using an engine and emissions equipment from another manufacturer for an already certified vehicle configuration, the DeLorean was able to be revived under these new regulations! While it might not be ideal that low-volume manufacturers like the DeLorean Motor Company will be so heavily reliant on giants like Ford, Chevrolet or Volvo, this seems like a step in the right direction and a decent compromise in the meantime.
What The DeLorean DMC-12 Will Be Like?
Since John DeLorean's humble production in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1981, this classic car hasn't changed much. This new model maintains that trend. You can expect all the classics features and styling to be present in the new DeLorean DMC-12. The unpainted stainless steel body, leather seats, gull-wing doors and coupe sloping will always set the DeLorean DMC-12 apart. But there will also be some differences in these new collector cars.
Luckily, they all seem pretty great. The interior of the DeLorean is getting an update to bring it more in line with current technology and trends. The cassette player is out in favor of more modern audio devices, for instance. The new DeLorean DMC-12 engine will have three times as much horsepower at the original PRV (Peugeot-Renault-Volvo) V-6 engine. It's still unclear how this change will affect the vehicles time traveling capabilities, but we are pretty damn excited none-the-less.
The original Delorean also had some well-document braking issues, which should be corrected by the new model's modern braking systems. So far, no word on a 5-speed manual transmission option or details on a euro-spec. Overall, it's looking like you can expect the new DeLorean DMC-12 to have a classic style with modern functionality.
Where Can I Buy the DeLorean DMC-12?
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The DeLorean DMC-12 will be available overseas in 2019. Whenever it does become available in America, the new DeLorean will be sold at the four DeLorean Motor Company dealerships in California, Texas, Florida and Illinois.
Crucially, the new DeLorean DMC-12s will be American-made in Humble, Texas.
How Much Does a DeLorean DMC-12 Cost?
The truth is, we just don't know when the DeLorean motor car will be available. DeLorean Motor Company has committed to shipping new DMC-12s in 2019, however, American buyers might have to wait a bit longer than those overseas. Maxim reported that regulators are whispering the price will be about $100,000.
The new regulations allowing for the DMC-12's production have not even taken effect in America due to our transition into a new presidential administration. Many NHTSA seats and positions have been left vacant which means there simply aren't enough people to perform the day-to-day operations that would clear the way for the DMC-12's production.
If you'd like to see the DeLorean DMC-12 sold in America call your representatives and demand that all essential government vacancies be filled by the end of the year! Otherwise, your Back to the Future fan-film is going to have to wait a little longer.
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