EPIC EV Announces Agreement to Produce Advanced Lightweight Composite Bodies for New DeLorean Electric Vehicle
VIVIAN, La. and HOUSTON - December 2, 2011: Epic Electric Vehicles (EPIC EV) and DeLorean Motor Company, Inc. (DeLorean) have been selected as the composites manufacturer for the new DeLorean Electric Vehicle (DMCEV) slated for production in 2012.
Epic Electric Vehicles and DeLorean Motor Company unveil a new lightweight resin infused composite body for the new DMCEV. Together, Epic EV and DeLorean worked to maximize strength and decrease the weight of this main chassis component of the DMCEV.
"It was important for the DMCEV to not just have an advanced drivetrain but to also decrease the weight and improve the safety of these new vehicles," said DeLorean CEO Stephen Wynne. "We had aggressive targets for this new body structure and Epic EV exceeded those by a wide margin. We can't wait to provide our customers with new DMCEV's that utilize this new advanced composites technology and the fact that the original DeLorean cars can also be retrofitted with this new composite body structure further broadens the appeal," he said.
Epic EV's new composite body designed for DeLorean is lighter weight versus the original's with a much increased safety factor over those built in the 1980s. This will allow for the DMCEV to add more battery capacity for greater range and provide its passengers with enhanced impact protection and durability.
"The original DeLorean was 30 years ahead of its time in the 1980s so I felt that the composites the new DMCEV uses today should also be well ahead of its time," said Founder of Epic EV Chris Anthony. He added, "We have achieved 200 lbs of reduction in weight with these new bodies through better engineering and that will make for a more advanced DMCEV. The roof crush and side impact strength is greatly improved on these bodies and I think this is a great new attribute for the DMCEV."
About The DeLorean Motor Company
Since its debut in 1981 DeLorean has earned its place in pop-culture iconography. The sport car's easily recognizable
gull-wing doors, stainless steel body, and rear mounted engine has appeared in movies, video games and television shows,
though it may be best known for its role as the unlikely time machine featured in the Back to the Future trilogy.
The DeLorean Motor Company (DMC), based in Humble, TX, USA, acquired the original company's name in 1995 and now
owns the largest remaining original parts stock from the factory, US stock and original suppliers. In addition to servicing, restoring and selling DeLorean
automobiles, parts, accessories and merchandise to customers around the world, DMC also assembles cars to order, featuring parts or designs
from the original DeLorean automobile, with modern engine and suspension technology. A variety of DeLorean products have been developed
through licensing relationships with manufacturers in footwear, apparel, toys, collectibles, gaming and other product categories. For more
information visit DeLorean.com.
About EPIC EV
Epic EV designs and manufactures electric vehicles for land and water and seeks to make reliable, high performance electric vehicles
accessible for all. Founder, Chris Anthony, brought together a small
team for one purpose: get fast and fun all-electric and hybrid
vehicles
to market. The Epic EV design shop is just inland from the sunny
North
County coastline in Vista, CA, and their factory, affectionately
called "Epic South," is located on an expansive plot of land in Vivian, LA. For
more information, please call 318-375-3742 or visit www.EVepic.com