THE JZD: A TRIBUTE TO DELOREAN DMC-12
The JZD DeLorean DMC-12 tribute is a modern electric successor to the original gull-winged icon, developed by Kat DeLorean Seymour, daughter of John Zachary DeLorean, through her firm DeLorean Next Generation Motors. Distinct from DeLorean Reimagined's Alpha5 concept shown at Pebble Beach 2022, the Model JZD is the project of those closest to the original DMC-12's legacy, drawing on the talents of Kat DeLorean Seymour and engineers who worked on the first car.
What Is the JZD and Who Is Behind It?
The initials JZD stand for John Zachary DeLorean, the name of the original founder. DeLorean Next Generation Motors acquired the original brand's name and trademarks in 1995 and is a separate entity from both the original DMC and other companies using the DeLorean name. Kat DeLorean Seymour leads the project alongside a group of engineers who were part of the original DeLorean Motor Company team, giving the JZD a direct lineage to the DMC-12's development history. The design was created by Angel Guerra and Allan Portilho as a deliberate tribute to the original stainless-steel coupe.
Design: Gullwing Doors and a Modern Fastback
The JZD borrows both its name and its fundamental form language from the DMC-12. The modern fastback coupe retains gullwing doors as a non-negotiable design signature, while introducing a more contemporary greenhouse and aerodynamic body profile. The cabin is configured as a 2+2, offering a small rear seat in addition to the two front positions. The result is a car that reads immediately as a DeLorean to any observer, yet clearly belongs to the present rather than 1981.
Electric Drivetrain and Plans
The JZD is planned around an electric drivetrain, reflecting the direction of the modern performance car market, though the team has also evaluated internal combustion options. Work on the prototype was set to begin in Detroit in early 2023, with a public debut anticipated later that year. According to Autoevolution, the JZD represents the most legitimate continuation of the original DeLorean legacy, given the team's direct connection to the brand's founders. Designboom described the project as a fitting tribute that honors the original's iconography without relying purely on nostalgia.
Photo: DeLorean Next Generation Motors
Explore Classic and Electric Cars at TheArsenale
The JZD connects a storied automotive legacy to an electric future. Explore the TheArsenale Cars collection, which includes the original 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 and forward-looking vehicles like the TheArsenale Electric collection. For more on automotive heritage design, browse the full range of TheArsenale Memorabilia.
