-DMC = ~2700 lbs/130hp/0-60 8.5sec
-Porsche 911SC = ~2700 lbs/172hp/0-60 6.3sec
-Ferrari 308GTSi = 3320 lbs GVW 205hp 0-60 7.6sec
-Corvette = 3300 lbs GVW 190hp 0-60 7.2sec
-280-ZX Turbo = 2960 lbs GVW 180hp 0-60 7.1sec

As you can see, the DeLorean wasn’t that far off from its competition at the time. Thanks to new technology, the figures on all of these cars are not that impressive when compared to current standards with exception to the weight figures. Most cars today are super heavy.

The DeLorean was launched during a tumultuous gas crisis that John foresaw and wrote about in his book long before the DeLorean car was launched. He was trying to do something different by providing what he called an ethical sports car that had a reliable engine that also had decent performance and good gas mileage. The DeLorean also fell victim to new emissions regulations which sapped horsepower and performance. Thanks to the government, the 70s and 80s were rot with cars without performance.

The DeLorean certainly wasn’t a race winner, but it has a lot of other benefits. I.e. the car was supposed to have a 25 year warranty so the car was built with materials and products that would last a long time e.g. Stainless Steel. Safety and comfort were huge goals and only recently have cars been able to match DeLorean safety features. The DeLorean used a formula 1 style frame developed by Lotus. It is the same frame, and suspension, used on the Lotus Esprit up until 2002. So the DeLorean can corner extremely well.

Ironically, the picture of the DeLorean you have for your article criticizing its performance has a 0-60 time of 5.5 seconds with a 300+ HP turbo engine. I know because that is a picture of my car which I took several years ago. I don’t mind you using the picture so long as you give me credit for it. =)

Cheers!

http://www.geekologie.com/2011/03/08/delorean-trailer.jpg