Paul DeLorean, nephew of the original carmaker and current CEO and chief designer of DeLorean Aerospace, revealed that his company is moving out of science-fiction and going up against the likes of Uber, Airbus and countless start-ups by attempting to build a flying car. DeLorean says the company is working on a two-seat, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicle meant for personal transport and that will eventually be capable of autonomous flight called the DR-7.
“We are moving forward on a full-size, piloted prototype which will carry two passengers and is designed to operate, fully electric, for a range of 120 miles,” he explained in an interview with Wired.
Other flying cars in development are only expected to have ranges of around 25 to 50 miles, so DeLorean's target is well above the norm.
The DeLorean DR-7 aircraft is about 6 metres long, sports two sets of wings (with a span of about 5.6 metres) one at the front and the other at the back, with another pair of winglets under the hind wings. These wings can fold away so the vehicle can fit inside a garage. The vehicle's take-off and forward propulsion rely on a pair of ducted fans, which are powered by electricity and mounted along its centre. The fans swivel after take-off to push the vehicle forward.
The company is aiming to complete a full-sized flying prototype within a year. DeLorean said he'll find an area of empty California desert and “fly the hell out of” a radio-controlled version before sticking anybody on-board.
There are no details yet of how much a DR-7 will cost or even when it will be produced, but DeLorean sees it as more than just a plaything for rich people. He said: “The design really solves a lot of major transportation problems and inefficiencies, such as deteriorating infrastructure, pollution, and road congestion.”
