DeLorean Time Machine Drag Races Stock DMC DeLorean

The future is a drag race.

There are approximately 6,500 examples left of the DMC DeLorean, many of which live in heated garages or private collections. There is now a Texas shop where DeLoreans can still be restored to factory condition. It isn’t uncommon to see a DeLorean in public, especially if you are from the United States. How often do you see DeLoreans competing in drag races?

According to Petersen Automotive Museum, this video contains the first drag racing between two sports cars. The DeLorean Time Machine is to the right. It’s a exact replica of the time-travelling device from Back To The Future and equipped with a flux capacitor. On the left is a DMC DeLorean stock powered by its Renault-sourced V6 engine of 2.85 liters.

The DeLorean’s performance isn’t exactly what it was known for. The factory version of the V6 engine behind seats produces a peak output power of 130 horsepower (97 kilowatts), and torque of 2,750 rpm of 153 pound-feet (297 Newton-meters). The unit can accelerate the vehicle from standstill to 60 mph (0-96 km/h) in just 8.8 seconds. However, some sources claim a acceleration time of 9.5.

The DeLorean Time Machine’s powertrain is slightly different. It is an electric machine that requires 1,620,000 horsepower (1.21 gigawatts) of power to function. In the Back To The Future movie this power comes from a plutonium fueled nuclear reactor. However, propulsion comes from an internal combustion motor.

Which one is faster off the line? You can see the drag race in the video above. Then, you will be taken to the factory for an exclusive interview with DMC DeLorean.