>From Dean:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Andy sez:
>I believe the engine was a Renault, however. Hmmm...
The engine was a PRV, which had multicar use P(something),
Renault, and Volvo I believe, in Europe.
Dean
>>>>>>>>>>>
The "P" part was Pugeot. The bad thing about the Delorean is the engine was
settled on (final form) before the car was done. It only put out about 130 hp
and when Lotus did some consulting to turn the concept into reality, the car
gained considerable weight (I think around 500-600 lbs!). I know it sounds
strange to hear that Lotus would actually add weight to a car, but it was not
their design from the beginning. Delorean was insistant upon some features,
but the car as originally designed was not structurally sound. Lotus basically
did what was necessary to pass crash tests while keeping to Delorean's concept
(rear, not mid-engine ... oh -well!). Lotus (Chapman) also made this a rather
lucrative contract as many of you probably know.....
But that's another story!
I believe a Delorean weighs about 2600 lbs. If It weighed the conceived 2000
lbs the performance wouldn't of been too bad, but 130/2600 = slug, (good as
a "boulevard cruiser" only). Someone has developed a turbo kit that ups the
power to around 200 hp. IMHO the car should of started out this way to live
up to the projected image.
-Bob T.
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