French boutique motorcycle manufacturer DAB Motors has always been on a "quest for singularity" and has managed to grab the attention of those interested in electric mobility with bold iterations of its acclaimed DAB 1α electric motorcycle.
After customizing the two-wheeler with designs inspired by the Paris Olympics and then by Nintendo's atomic purple Game Boy Color, the company has now created another eye-catching custom model that pays homage to the iconic DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future. With a stainless steel body frame, exposed wiring, an illuminated flux capacitor, and DeLorean DMC-12-themed rims, the new bespoke DAB 1α is bound to attract even more fans for the DAB 1α.
Founded in 2018 in Bayonne by Simon Dabadie, DAB Motors was taken over by Peugeot Motorcycles in 2023. The DAB 1α is the first motorbike jointly developed by the two companies and is offered in a limited production run of 400 units. Like all the custom units unveiled so far, the DeLorean-inspired version is the creation of the French brand's DAB Custom Studio (DCS) and it's about "diving into the uncharted, pushing limits." As the company explains, "The DAB 1α is not your convenient motorcycle; it's a disruptor, a symbol of our generation's refusal to settle for the ordinary."
The DeLorean DMC-12-inspired DAB 1α electric motorbike perfectly exemplifies that idea. The new design is certainly visually striking and will incite feelings of nostalgia in those who loved the 1985 sci-fi movie. It boasts a plethora of distinguishable elements inspired by what is arguably one of the most famous movie cars of all time, including a glowing Flux Capacitor. Obviously, actual time travel still remains a fantasy in real life, but this thoughtful design element serves to infuse the bike with the retro charm of the timeless DeLorean.
The stainless steel body with exposed wiring, the CNC-machined wheels designed to look like those on Doc Brown's car, the air vents that replicate those found on the back of the time-traveling machine, and the DBMC side badges that mimic DeLorean's DMC logo serve the same purpose.
Photo: DAB Motors
What's more, the motorcycle's electric speedometer is limited to 88 mph (142 kph), which is the exact speed required to travel through time in the film, and the last nod to the Back to the Future car is the OUTTATIME license plate attached to its rear.
The standard DAB 1α is powered by a centrally-mounted brushless DC electric motor outputting 11 kW, with a peal of 25.5 kW, and comes with a 7.1 kWh battery that is good for up to 150 km (92 miles) of range.
DAB Motors' founder Simon Dabadie says that, "This new bike is an ideal canvas to showcase DAB Motors' commitment to creativity and craftsmanship, blending technical skill with bold, boundary-pushing design. Just as the DMC-12 redefined automotive aesthetics, this model captures DAB's innovative spirit, honoring the future shaped by past icons."
The DeLorean-inspired version of the DAB 1α was released on November 5, and this isn't a random date either. It was purposefully chosen because it is the day when time travel was first tested in the film.
After spending a few years as a copy editor, Ancuta decided to put down the eraser and pick up the writer's pencil. Her favorites subjects are unusual car designs, travel trailers and everything related to the great outdoors. Full profile
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