Great Scott! There's a new DeLorean flying car in the works

The DeLorean brand is synonymous with the flying car/time machine of the Back to the Future film series — but in our actual future, the DeLorean name could soon be even more recognizable because of IRL personal flying machines.

DeLorean Aerospace, a company started by Paul DeLorean (nephew of DeLorean Motors mastermind John) is creating a pilotless vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle bearing the family name. VTOL designs aren't meant for the road, but we still often call the vehicles "flying cars," evoking images of the classic DMC-12 rising from the road into the air in the movies.

The younger DeLorean discussed his company's plans with Wired, outlining his vision to bring personal aircrafts to the masses. The two-seater VTOL, the DeLorean DR-7, doesn't look or sound anything like the DMC-12 of old, but its sleek design and next-gen specs could put the new craft in a class of its own if it eventually takes to the skies.

The 20 foot long, 18.5 foot wide DR-7 will have four wings, with a design the company says is built like an F1 race car. The all-electric craft will depend on what DeLorean is calling an "industry-first" centerline twin vectoring propulsion system for lift-off and flight, with two large fans positioned at the front and rear of the craft that can adjust their alignment.

The company is working on two scale models of the design now, which are much smaller than the final version of the craft. Paul DeLorean told Wired the next step is building a full-size, piloted prototype with a range of up to 120 miles, which will be flown at high altitudes to increase efficiency.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The company is aiming to create the prototype within a year from now, which will then be tested extensively with remote-controlled flights before a human pilot steps into the cockpit. There are no other details about an eventual commercial release for the DR-7, with no price estimates or target dates provided.

DeLorean has instant name recognition, but it's far from the first company working on an autonomous VTOL design. Airbus' Vahana project, the Ehang 184, and Uber's expansive flying car project are just a few of the efforts underway. The city of Dubai is even starting a pilot program for for its autonomous aerial taxi service during the fourth quarter of this year with Volocopter, a German aviation company, providing the crafts.

These "flying cars" might be coming a few years later than the ultra-futuristic vision of 2015 in Back to the Future Part II — but if DeLorean and its peers can fulfill their potential, it could be worth the wait.