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Body style: Coupé (two-door)
Segment: Premium Coupe
Production years: 1981, 1982, 1983

DeLorean DMC-12 1981-1983 42 Photos
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Sure, you know it. The famous Steven Spielberg’s “Back to the Future” trilogy made it to be recognized all around the world. Of course, it was not a home-made time machine, but a sports car manufactured by the DeLorean Motor Company between 1981 and 1983 in Ireland.

Despite its look that gave the impression of a powerful car, it actually lacked power and overall performance. And it was not a cheap car!

The DMC-12 had the famous gullwing doors, borrowed from the Mercedes 300 SL. It was equipped with a rear-mounted engine rated at 130 hp (a 2.85-liter V6) and a torque of 153 lb.-ft. The engine was developed by the Peugeot-Renault-Volvo company, as well as the 5-speed manual transmission.

The DeLorean could sprint from 0 to 97 kph in 8.8 seconds with the manual transmission and in 10.5 seconds with the automatic gearbox. The car’s top speed was rated at 175 km/h. Doesn’t sound like a performant sports car, right?

The first produced models suffered from mechanical issues as well as poor build quality. The units needed hundreds of hours of work before being shipped to the dealers for deliveries. The issues were resolved by 1982.

Upon the DeLorean’s release, its price was around $25,000 – and keep in mind that this was in 1981. An equivalent for 2019 was around $70,000.

DeLorean DMC-12 1981, 1982, 1983
  3 gasoline engines
  • 2.6L V6 5MT (145 HP)
  • 2.8L V6 3AT (132 HP)
  • 2.8L V6 5MT (132 HP)

DeLorean DMC-12
2.6L V6 5MT (145 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 2.6L V6 5MT (145 HP)
Cylinders:V6
Displacement:2849 cm3
Power:106.6 KW @ 5500 RPM
145 HP @ 5500 RPM
143 BHP @ 5500 RPM
Torque:166 lb-ft @ 2750 RPM
225 Nm @ 2750 RPM
Fuel System:Electronic Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:13.7 gallons (51.9 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:130 mph (209 km/h)
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Discs
Rear:Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:195/60HR-14 || 235/60HR-15
DIMENSIONS
Length:168.1 in (4270 mm)
Width:72.8 in (1849 mm)
Height:46.1 in (1171 mm)
Front/rear Track:65.4/62.6 in (1,661/1,590 mm)
Wheelbase:94.8 in (2408 mm)
Ground Clearance:5.5 in (140 mm)
Cargo Volume:14 cuFT (396 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd):0.34
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
Combined:21 mpg US (11.2 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:266 g/km

DeLorean DMC-12
2.8L V6 3AT (132 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 2.8L V6 3AT (132 HP)
Cylinders:V6
Displacement:2849 cm3
Power:96.9 KW @ 5500 RPM
132 HP @ 5500 RPM
130 BHP @ 5500 RPM
Torque:153 lb-ft @ 2750 RPM
207 Nm @ 2750 RPM
Fuel System:Electronic Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:13.7 gallons (51.9 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:130 mph (209 km/h)
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:3-speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Discs
Rear:Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:195/60HR-14 || 235/60HR-15
DIMENSIONS
Length:168.1 in (4270 mm)
Width:72.8 in (1849 mm)
Height:46.1 in (1171 mm)
Front/rear Track:65.4/62.6 in (1,661/1,590 mm)
Wheelbase:94.8 in (2408 mm)
Ground Clearance:5.5 in (140 mm)
Cargo Volume:14 cuFT (396 L)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
Combined:21 mpg US (11.2 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:266 g/km

DeLorean DMC-12
2.8L V6 5MT (132 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 2.8L V6 5MT (132 HP)
Cylinders:V6
Displacement:2849 cm3
Power:96.9 KW @ 5500 RPM
132 HP @ 5500 RPM
130 BHP @ 5500 RPM
Torque:153 lb-ft @ 2750 RPM
207 Nm @ 2750 RPM
Fuel System:Electronic Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:13.7 gallons (51.9 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:130 mph (209 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):9.6 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Discs
Rear:Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:195/60HR-14 || 235/60HR-15
DIMENSIONS
Length:168.1 in (4270 mm)
Width:72.8 in (1849 mm)
Height:46.1 in (1171 mm)
Front/rear Track:65.4/62.6 in (1,661/1,590 mm)
Wheelbase:94.8 in (2408 mm)
Ground Clearance:5.5 in (140 mm)
Cargo Volume:14 cuFT (396 L)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:2718 lbs (1233 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:3243 lbs (1471 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
Combined:21 mpg US (11.2 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:266 g/km
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