RETURNED TO THE FUTURE: First details and pictures of the new DeLorean electric car

In 1985, Back to the Future turned DMC DeLorean into a time machine, as well as a name that has taken root in popular culture. Nearly four decades and a few corporate iterations later, the latest manufacturer named Delorean is getting closer to launching its long-awaited electric vehicle.

The company partnered with Italdesign, the Volkswagen-owned design firm that helped develop the look of the original DeLorean, according to The Verge.

CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST BROWSER FOR GAMERS

The result is a car that bears some resemblance to its predecessor, with gull-wing doors and a louvred rear window. DeLorean Motor Company (click on the link to go to the company site for more info) has unveiled details and pictures of its Alpha 5 EV car, and the company’s owners hope this electric four-wheeler will revive a long-defunct brand and perhaps set the direction for more electric models. The latest vehicle has a low set frame, a sloping windshield and a gullwing door, but the car is not designed to be retro. The classic steel exterior remained, and the new DeLorean brand was taped to the car, instead of the DMC label. The glass panoramic roof gives a modern touch to the design.

CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST BROWSER FOR GAMERS

There are four seats inside the vehicle instead of two, and there are two digital screens - one on the centre console and one behind the wheel. Compared to the original DeLorean, the Alpha 5 EV is significantly longer and wider based on the sketches shown.

This electric vehicle concept should have a range of about 480 km with a 100 kWh battery. The company claims that the Alpha 5 EV can accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in 2.99 seconds, as well as reach a top speed of 250 km / h. As a sign of attention to the film that made him famous, DeLorean also mentions the time from 0 to 88 miles per second (4.35 s) - the famous speed at which Doc Emmett's time machine sent Marty into the future

Despite the original DeLorean Motor Company’s famous demise and eventual bankruptcy in 1982, the brand was purchased by British-born Stephen Wynne who attempted to make new versions of the iconic DMC-12 in Texas. However, he has now turned his attention to electrification with the new model, and supposedly subsequent models on the horizon. Onboard the project is Joost de Vries, who has been a former employee for Karma, Fisker, and Tesla.

De Vries told Texas Public Radio that production of the new vehicle will be limited, but that he expects to be "sold out within the whole production run within the year that we launch."

Citing de Vries, Autocar reported this week that the car will be sold in a limited run of 88, in a nod to the movie. Those will be suitable only for use on tracks and not for the road.

The company is also setting its sights even further, with de Vries saying its roster will eventually expand to include a sports coupe, a sedan and a premium SUV. But first is the matter of funding: Autocar said that DeLorean had completed its initial seed round of funding and that the next one could be tied to an I.P.O.

"We will be a public company," de Vries said. "We have to be. Building cars isn't cheap, and you need lots of money to make it happen.

Pricing is expected to be in the $175,000 range, the game and entertainment website IGN reports. It's a big leap forward from 1981 when MotorTrend says you could get an original DeLorean for about $25,000. The four-wheeler will have its official premiere on August 18 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance event in California

CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST BROWSER FOR GAMERS