DeLorean Enters Electric Flying Car Racing What Shoppers Should Know

DeLorean Takes Flight in Revolutionary Air Racing Series

The iconic DeLorean brand, famous for its stainless-steel sports car and its starring role in Back to the Future, is making an unexpected leap into the world of electric aviation. The company has just announced its entry into the Airspeeder International Series, becoming the first American constructor to compete in what organizers describe as the world’s premier racing championship for all-electric flying cars. This move marks a significant milestone for both the revived automaker and the emerging field of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology.

The DeLorean Airspeeder Team will debut when the 2026-27 season opens in November, competing against international rivals in a sport that combines cutting-edge aerospace engineering with high-speed racing. During its inaugural season, the team will pilot Airspeeder’s standardized Mk3C electric aircraft, which will feature custom DeLorean-designed styling and branding. This partnership is more than just a marketing venture, though, and represents a genuine commitment to advancing electric air mobility technology.

What This Means for the Future of Transportation

DeLorean’s involvement in electric air racing serves a dual purpose. On one hand, it allows the brand to capitalize on its decades-long association with futuristic, ground-breaking vehicles. Company leadership has been transparent about this connection: according to DeLorean’s chief brand officer, the brand has envisioned a flying DeLorean for roughly four decades, and executives believe the time has come to transform that vision into reality.

More importantly, this venture signals serious investment in eVTOL development. Beginning in the 2027-28 racing season, DeLorean will expand its role beyond cosmetic customization to active engineering collaboration. The company plans to partner with leading universities, including UC Berkeley and Georgia Tech, where engineering students will contribute to designing and building next-generation race aircraft. This educational component ensures that real innovation, not merely publicity, underpins DeLorean’s participation.

The broader context matters for consumers interested in automotive technology. Electric vehicle charging infrastructure and battery technology continue to evolve rapidly, and eVTOL development is closely intertwined with these advancements. Innovations emerging from air racing, similar to how Formula 1 has historically accelerated automotive technology, could eventually influence the electric cars we drive on roads today.

How Electric Air Racing Works

For those unfamiliar with this emerging sport, Airspeeder races operate quite differently from traditional motorsports. Pilots fly electric aircraft through three-dimensional courses marked by virtual gates, navigating high-speed aerial tracks while relying on onboard sensors and collision-avoidance systems. The technology required is extraordinarily complex, combining autonomous flight systems, real-time navigation, and safety redundancies that exceed even cutting-edge automotive standards.

The Airspeeder International Series, founded in 2016 by Australian entrepreneur Matt Pearson, was conceived with an explicit goal: to do for electric flight what Formula 1 has accomplished for automotive innovation. By creating competitive pressure and high stakes, the series accelerates technological development far faster than standard research timelines allow. Every pilot, constructor, and engineering team has strong motivation to innovate continuously.

Industry Momentum Behind Electric Aviation

DeLorean joins a growing cohort of automotive companies recognizing the potential of electric air mobility. Hyundai, Toyota, Honda, and Stellantis have all invested in eVTOL startups or advanced air mobility projects in recent years. However, most of these competitors have focused on developing commercial aircraft for passenger transport, emergency response, or cargo delivery rather than racing applications. DeLorean’s emphasis on competitive racing as a development platform distinguishes its strategy.

The applications for eVTOL technology are substantial and commercially significant. Beyond novelty racing, these electric aircraft could eventually serve critical functions including emergency medical transport, urban air mobility for commuters in congested metropolitan areas, and cargo delivery in hard-to-reach locations. Advanced battery technology continues improving, making such applications increasingly feasible.

What This Means for Car Shoppers

While aerial racing may seem disconnected from purchasing decisions at car dealerships, the implications are actually quite relevant. Technology developed through competitive eVTOL racing will contribute to broader advances in electric propulsion systems, battery chemistry, lightweight materials, and autonomous navigation. These innovations filter down into consumer vehicles within years, not decades.

For consumers concerned about the trajectory of automotive technology and environmental impact, DeLorean’s commitment to electric air racing represents encouraging signs. The company is demonstrating that revived heritage brands can innovate boldly rather than merely trade on nostalgia. Moreover, the educational partnerships with major universities ensure that developments serve genuine technological progress, not just corporate branding.

As electric vehicle adoption accelerates and vehicle ownership evolves, understanding how companies invest in next-generation mobility helps consumers make informed decisions about electric vehicles and long-term transportation trends. DeLorean’s entry into electric air racing is worth monitoring, as it signals genuine commitment to shaping how humans will move through their environment, whether on roads or through the sky.