- DeLorean will be the first American manufacturer in the Airspeeder International Series.
- The DeLorean team will collaborate with the University of California and Georgia Tech to design its own aircraft.
- The event will promote the development of electric flying technology and provide a safe racing environment.
- DeLorean plans to expand its engineering role in the future, developing its own racing aircraft.
DeLorean Motor Company will venture into flying car racing, becoming the first American manufacturer in the Airspeeder International Series. The DeLorean Airspeeder team is set to make its debut in November 2026 during the 2026–27 season. The announcement was made at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, marking the brand's entry into electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) and its competition with teams from various countries.
DeLorean will start with standardized racing aircraft and then collaborate with engineering students from the University of California, Berkeley, and Georgia Tech to pursue its own design. This collaboration allows the brand, closely associated with the fictional flying time machine from the movie "Back to the Future," to promote the development of electric aviation through competition.
DeLorean's Vision for Flying Cars
"People have imagined DeLorean flying for 40 years. We decided it's time to stop just imagining," said DeLorean Chief Brand Officer Cameron Wynne. The announcement introduces DeLorean into the competition created by Australian entrepreneur Matt Pearson. Airspeeder positions its racing series as a testing ground for electric flying technology, leveraging competition to drive aircraft development. "DeLorean is one of the earliest flying car brands."
"Before anyone built flying cars, the world already knew what a DeLorean flying looked like," said Airspeeder founder and CEO Pearson. "Every great racing series is defined by the manufacturers that choose to participate. Having such an iconic American brand in our inaugural international season signals the future direction of this sport."
This participation also elevates DeLorean's identity beyond its iconic road cars, bringing its name into the international racing scene based on electric aircraft. For the inaugural season, the DeLorean team will compete using the Airspeeder Mk3C standardized aircraft package shared with other participants. The initial focus is on the team's visual identity rather than a body developed by DeLorean. The shared platform provides the same base aircraft package for competing teams in the 2026–27 season.
Competitors will no longer race on traditional tracks but will navigate three-dimensional courses defined by virtual gates. Onboard sensors and collision avoidance systems will support race safety, and this format adds a vertical dimension to the competition, with the course traversing airspace rather than remaining on conventional tracks.
Future Engineering Collaboration Plans
Tesla has also explored the concept of hover cars through its long-delayed Roadster project. Its Model X features "falcon wing" doors, while the Cybertruck has a stainless steel exterior, drawing comparisons to DeLorean's iconic design. DeLorean plans to expand its engineering role in the 2027–28 season, collaborating with students from the University of California, Berkeley, and Georgia Tech to develop its own racing aircraft. This collaboration will integrate the university's engineering resources into the design and analysis of the aircraft, preparing DeLorean's exclusive racing entry.
Wynne also linked the initiative to the broader development of advanced air mobility. He stated that the competition provides an opportunity to help shape "the necessary regulatory, safety, and compliance frameworks" as well as the development of technology.
Several details remain undisclosed, including the team's driver lineup, the design of the custom aircraft, and the complete sports schedule for the inaugural season. The announcement pertains to the competition entry, and no information has been released regarding consumer flying cars. DeLorean stated that further details about this collaborative direction will be announced in the coming months.
How DeLorean is Reshaping the Flying Car Racing Market
DeLorean Motor Company's entry into the flying car racing arena marks a transformation of its brand image, shifting from a traditional car manufacturer to a participant in electric aircraft. This move not only pays homage to its history but also aims to meet the demands of future transportation. Through collaboration with academic institutions, DeLorean seeks to leverage advanced engineering technology to promote the development of electric aviation and conduct technical testing in the competition. This will not only enhance its brand visibility but also facilitate the maturation of flying car technology, laying the groundwork for future commercialization.