The DeLorean: Girls Get It.

"What we are trying to show is... a car that is very attractive, very fuel efficient, handles like maybe very few other cars built in the world and is fun to drive." - John DeLorean

The DMC-12 was never meant to be fast. I find it highly amusing that people thought, and continue to think, that it was a failure because it wasn't fast. The DeLorean Motor Company failed for a complex set of reasons that had more to do with the price of bananas than how much power the engine had.

Official literature states the Renault-built PRV V6 makes 130 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque before le emissions equipment and accessories come into play. With only 2712 lbs to throw around, it's quick. No, it won't blow your chausettes off, but John was right - it is tres fun to drive!

Wheels magazine tested the 0-60 mph at a hair over 8 seconds. Car and Driver, a little worse at 9.5 seconds (and the Corvette at 7.2). Not bad for a car whose purpose was fuel efficiency during a time when emissions controls choked every new car. A car that gets 29 mpg U.S. highway. Far more awesome mileage than some new cars today. 2011 Cadillac *cough*

Comparing apples to apples is always prudent. Even today, the mystique of the DeLorean lives on tempting pansy-balled spewbags to race it against brand new 265 hp minivans. Have you seen The Car Show? SPOILER ALERT... oh wait, no it isn't. Of course the Sienna is faster. It has THIRTY more years of technology and more than double the horsepower. Nobody compares their iMac to an Apple II. No one would respect them. Yet somehow, brainless douchbaggery lives on in the car world.

The Urban Dictionary has an entry: "DeLorean-slow". Well, the Urban Dictionary can bite my ass (which has touched Michael J. Fox's ass I might add). The DeLorean was never meant to be fast.

Oddly enough, I've been asked that question twice in less than a week. But it's not about the speed. It's the style. Two girls I met on Wednesday put it best. "It's the cool factor!"

"Exactly!" I replied. At least somebody gets it.