Back To The Future's flying DeLorean could finally take to the skies: Nephew of the iconic car's creator reveals a prototype will be ready within a year
- DeLorean Aerospace is working on a vertical takeoff and landing flying car
- The LA firm is hoping to have a a full-sized working prototype within a year
- Their DR-7 is designed for performance and built like an F1 race car for the sky
- It is not yet clear how much the finished article will cost or when it will be ready for commercial release
A flying DeLorean could take to the skies just a few years after they featured in the fictional future of the Back To The Future universe.
In the second film of the blockbuster sci fi trilogy, Doc Brown and Marty visit the year 2015.
There they get the iconic nuclear powered DeLorean that allows them to time travel converted to a hovercar.
Now the nephew of the creator of the original DeLorean is working on making fiction a reality, by designing the DR-7 flying car.
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Paul DeLorean, nephew of the creator of the original DeLorean which featured in blockbuster sci fi trilogy Back To The Future is creating a flying car called the DR-7 (artist's impression)
The Los Angeles-based firm is planning to build a flying car that uses vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) technology and can accommodate two passengers.
This would allow it to launch and land almost anywhere, without the need for a long runway.
DeLorean Aerospace has already built a number of proof of concept prototypes of their vehicle.
And it is hoping to have a a full-sized working prototype within a year, according to reports in Wired.
But it is not yet clear how much the finished article will cost or when it will be ready for commercial release.
Speaking to Wired, Mr DeLorean, whose ancestors worked as coach-builders, said: 'We've been in transportation forever, it's in my blood.
'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.
'The design really solves a lot of major transportation problems and inefficiencies, such as deteriorating infrastructure, pollution, and road congestion.
'You can cruise at higher altitude, with greater efficiency,. It's designed so that you don't have all the drag.'
Designed for performance, the DR-7 is built like an F1 race car for the sky.
It features a monocoque composite body, which means its body is made of one solid skin.
Its high-efficiency wing design and tandem seating configuration mean weight is kept to a minimum for increased speed and manoeuvrability.
The DR-7 is just over six metres (20 feet) long and is around five and a half metres (18.5 feet) wide.
It has two main pairs of wings, one at the front and another at the rear, as well as smaller sets underneath for stability.
Designed for performance, the DR-7 is built like an F1 race car for the sky. It features a monocoque composite body, which means its body is made of one solid skin
Two large fans will provide lift and forward propulsion, rotating from horizontal during takeoff to vertical during flight.
The DR-7 is just over six metres (20 feet) long and is around five and a half metres (18.5 feet) wide
These main wings will fold away to allow for easier storage once it has landed.
They will also allow the vehicle to glide to safety, in the event the engines cut out.
Two large fans will provide lift and forward propulsion, rotating from horizontal during takeoff to vertical during flight.
It will be powered by electric motors and will feature self-flying technology, so that owners do not require a special licence to operate it.
It has two main pairs of wings, one at the front and another at the rear, as well as smaller sets underneath for stability
Its high-efficiency wing design and tandem seating configuration mean weight is kept to a minimum for increased speed and manoeuvrability
The California company already has two scale models built as a proof of concept.
The first model was around 75 cm (30 inches) long with the second two-thirds of the finished size.
In Back To The Future II, Doc Brown says before taking to the skies in his flying DeLorean 'Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads.'
Some experts believe that it may be less than a decade before that statement becomes fact.
And Uber, Google and a number of other firms have already announced their plans for flying taxis that use electric VTOL technology.
In the second film of the blockbuster sci fi trilogy Back To The Future, Doc Brown and Marty visit the year 2015 (pictured)
There they get the iconic nuclear powered DeLorean that allows them to time travel converted to a hovercar (pictured)
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