Live data from Hacker News

DeLorean considering all-electric reboot

newdelorean.com

171–180 of 343 posts

Re: DeLorean considering all-electric reboot

#171
post #7

> National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has completed a regulation permitting low volume motor vehicle manufacturers to begin selling replica cars that resemble vehicles produced at least 25 years ago. Congress enacted a DeLorean Motor Company-backed bill backed by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) DeLorean Motor Company, and others into law in 2015, which streamlined requirements for…

This was a project proposal of ours in my MBA class. Build classic cars, like the Thunderbird, but put in an electric motor, and sell it to (formerly hippie) Boomers

I knew the patent on industrial designs expires after 25 years, but didn't know the NHTSA needed to approve such things

Re: DeLorean considering all-electric reboot

#173

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The year Tesla started manufacturing Model 3s got Elon back to the ground from dreaming about special cars, like the new Roadster: to get to a huge company and deliver on sustainability, they have to focus on cheap cars in huge volume, and can't afford many fun projects (except things like Tesla Tequila, that they can mostly outsource :) )

Are you sure about that? Why would Tesla want to compete with Toyota and VW to produce the bottom tier of cars? When at that point they are competing with the best of the best at making the most affordable cars at the largest volumes? They could also maintain their brand image and sell their mid range luxury models achieving less volume at a higher profitability margin.

Tesla's mission has always been to bring EVs to as many people and major markets as possible.

"Expand the electric vehicle product line to address all major segments"

https://www.tesla.com/blog/master-plan-part-deux

“It was always our goal to try to make an affordable electric car,” said Musk, referring back to his 2006 Tesla Motors Master Plan.

https://www.tesla.com/blog/secret-tesla-motors-master-plan-j...

Rumor is, they are already working on the $25K sedan that's one tier below the Model 3.

https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/tesla-model-2...

Re: DeLorean considering all-electric reboot

#174
post #113

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wouldn't be surprised if at some point some manufacturer made a car with optional "stick shift" - with a stick that's just some switches and the effect on driving behavior/torque/... entirely done in software. (Right now electric is hot and new, so nobody is doing much to make an electric car pretend to be something it's not, but that could switch around when electric is the standard)

Electric motors have maximum torque from 0 RPM, which removes most of the need for a transmission. Think of it as a transmission being a patch for a limitation in a combustion engine. If you were switching from electric to ICE, you’d need to invent this patch.

sure. not sure how that's relevant to my comment explicitly talking about a car that doesn't have an actual transmission?

Re: DeLorean considering all-electric reboot

#175
post #7

> National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has completed a regulation permitting low volume motor vehicle manufacturers to begin selling replica cars that resemble vehicles produced at least 25 years ago. Congress enacted a DeLorean Motor Company-backed bill backed by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) DeLorean Motor Company, and others into law in 2015, which streamlined requirements for…

Please bring back the 1970 'Cuda !!!

Re: DeLorean considering all-electric reboot

#176
post #174

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Electric motors have maximum torque from 0 RPM, which removes most of the need for a transmission. Think of it as a transmission being a patch for a limitation in a combustion engine. If you were switching from electric to ICE, you’d need to invent this patch.

sure. not sure how that's relevant to my comment explicitly talking about a car that doesn't have an actual transmission?

Yeah, me neither to be honest. I think I clicked on the wrong reply link.

Re: DeLorean considering all-electric reboot

#177
post #140
post #7

> National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has completed a regulation permitting low volume motor vehicle manufacturers to begin selling replica cars that resemble vehicles produced at least 25 years ago. Congress enacted a DeLorean Motor Company-backed bill backed by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) DeLorean Motor Company, and others into law in 2015, which streamlined requirements for…

100%. They hit the nail on the head when they said an electric Morgan or Cobra might be a bridge too far, but for the DeLorean, it's a good approach. The DeLorean was never about the relatively anemic, not particularly inspiring-sounding motor, whereas the combustion engine in the former two vehicles is a big part of the appeal.

> Cobra

The magic of the Cobra is the snorting, belching, bucking, roar of a V8 that's barely under control. As an EV, no thanks.

Re: DeLorean considering all-electric reboot

#178
post #4

Speaking of, Is it ok to own a stainless steel vehicle near the ocean? Should I advise my friend to avoid the cybertruck? (Or Delorean)

Stainless steel can be clear coated to prevent rust. It looks good, too. I saw it pulled off on an episode of Car Masters: Rust to Riches on Netflix.

Out of pure curiosity, I just checked, and it was actually Rust Valley Restorers, S1 E7, a '41 Ford Super Deluxe. Very cool car.

Re: DeLorean considering all-electric reboot

#179

Random piece of history - John DeLorean got his start creating snowcats when he purchased the Logan Machine Company (LMC) brand. He quickly renamed it to DMC, and continued to make snowcats at the same time he was making the DMC DeLorean. I have one of the LMC snowcats from the mid 80s and it's fantastic machine.

I would characterize his early (and spectacular) career at General Motors as where he “got his start”.

[deleted]

Re: DeLorean considering all-electric reboot

#180

Random piece of history - John DeLorean got his start creating snowcats when he purchased the Logan Machine Company (LMC) brand. He quickly renamed it to DMC, and continued to make snowcats at the same time he was making the DMC DeLorean. I have one of the LMC snowcats from the mid 80s and it's fantastic machine.

I would characterize his early (and spectacular) career at General Motors as where he “got his start”.

You took that quote out of context. "...creating snowcats when he purchased the Logan Machine Company" I'm aware of his automotive history. Just wanted to provide a different perspective of what other things he was doing around the same time.
Post reply on HN