Automotive
If there’s one automotive name that deserves to be associated with flying cars, it’s DeLorean. After all, anyone who grew up watching Back to the Future remembers Doc Brown’s famous declaration, “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” Well, it appears someone at DeLorean Motor Company has finally taken those words to heart. More than four decades after the stainless-steel DMC-12 became a Hollywood icon, DeLorean is officially taking to the skies, and this time, it isn’t movie magic or a fictional time machine. The company has announced its entry into the Airspeeder International Series, an all-electric flying car racing championship that promises to take motorsports into an entirely new dimension. Unfortunately, there’s no word about a flux capacitor, but we suspect 1.21 gigawatts would probably come in handy.
The announcement came during TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco, where DeLorean confirmed it will become the first American constructor participating in the Airspeeder International Series. Competing under the DeLorean Airspeeder Team name, the organization is scheduled to make its racing debut when the 2026-2027 season begins in November. This isn’t a traditional racing championship featuring cars that occasionally leave the ground after hitting a particularly aggressive curb. Instead, Airspeeder uses electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, commonly known as eVTOLs, that race through electronically defined courses in three dimensions. Imagine the intensity of motorsports combined with the freedom of flight, where competitors aren’t restricted to pavement, corners, and braking zones. It’s a fascinating concept, and attaching the DeLorean name to it makes the whole thing considerably more entertaining.
For its inaugural season, the DeLorean Airspeeder Team will compete using the Airspeeder Mk3C, an electric racing aircraft that will receive its own distinctive DeLorean design treatment. That means we shouldn’t expect to see a classic stainless-steel DMC-12 with gullwing doors suddenly hovering above the racetrack, although we’d certainly pay to see someone attempt it. The Mk3C is a purpose-built electric aircraft designed specifically for the demands of aerial racing, incorporating advanced flight-control technology and sophisticated safety systems. DeLorean will initially focus on establishing the team’s visual identity and presence in the championship before moving toward a more ambitious engineering role. Details surrounding the team’s pilots, aircraft appearance, and complete racing program are expected to arrive ahead of the November season opener.
Things become even more interesting when looking beyond the first season. For the 2027-2028 championship, DeLorean plans to help develop a new racing aircraft in collaboration with engineering students and university teams across the United States. That includes involvement from the University of California system, UC Berkeley, and Georgia Tech, bringing emerging American engineering talent directly into the development of next-generation electric racing aircraft. It’s a clever way to combine motorsports with education and technological experimentation while giving students opportunities to work on projects that go well beyond conventional automotive engineering. DeLorean’s role as a constructor is expected to grow through this collaboration, potentially allowing the company to influence aircraft design, performance, and advanced electric propulsion development rather than simply placing its familiar name on an existing machine.
Of course, there’s a much bigger picture here than just creating an unusual racing series. Airspeeder was founded on the belief that competition could accelerate electric aircraft development in much the same way Formula 1 and other racing championships have helped advance automotive technology. The demanding environment of racing provides opportunities to test electric propulsion systems, battery performance, flight controls, communication technology, and AI-assisted safety features under challenging conditions. DeLorean sees the partnership as an opportunity to participate in developing technologies that could eventually influence personal air transportation. Cameron Wynne, DeLorean’s chief brand officer, explained that the company’s involvement is about helping move advanced mobility from imaginative concepts toward practical applications. There’s still a tremendous amount of work required before flying vehicles become commonplace, particularly when it comes to airspace regulations, infrastructure, and safety, but racing could offer a valuable proving ground.
What’s especially fitting about this announcement is how naturally it connects with DeLorean’s unusual place in automotive history. The original DMC-12 wasn’t particularly fast by sports car standards, and its relatively short production run was surrounded by financial difficulties. Nevertheless, its futuristic styling, brushed stainless-steel bodywork, and gullwing doors helped make it one of the most recognizable automobiles ever built. Its appearance in the Back to the Future trilogy elevated that status to something approaching immortality. The idea of a flying DeLorean has been part of popular culture since Marty McFly first traveled to the future, so seeing the name associated with an actual airborne racing machine feels wonderfully appropriate. DeLorean Motor Company is clearly leaning into that connection while attempting to establish a new identity centered on electric technology and unconventional transportation.
Naturally, we’re keeping our expectations grounded, even if the vehicles themselves won’t be. The DeLorean Airspeeder isn’t a road-going production car that owners will be able to park in their garage before flying over rush-hour traffic. It’s a specialized racing aircraft, and the company’s involvement doesn’t mean a flying consumer DeLorean is suddenly around the corner. Still, there’s something undeniably exciting about seeing an iconic automotive name embrace a motorsport concept that once seemed better suited to science fiction. If Airspeeder can deliver competitive racing, impressive technology, and the spectacle of electric aircraft battling through the sky, it might create an entirely new audience for motorsports. As for DeLorean, perhaps this is the closest we’ve come to seeing Doc Brown’s vision become reality. Now, if the team could just figure out how to hit 88 mph and disappear in a flash of light, we’d really have something to talk about.
Mike Floyd is a finance executive by trade and a car enthusiast at heart. As a CFO with a keen eye for detail and strategy, Mike brings his analytical mindset to the automotive world, uncovering fresh insights and unique perspectives that go beyond the surface. His passion for cars—especially his favorite, the Porsche 911, fuels his contributions to Automotive Addicts, where he blends a love for performance and design with his professional precision. Whether he’s breaking down industry trends or spotlighting emerging innovations, Mike helps keep the site both sharp and forward-thinking.
