The DeLorean DMC-12 used a rear-mounted 2,849 cc PRV V6 rated at 130 bhp. “French-sourced” describes part of its heritage, but not the whole story: PRV stands for Peugeot-Renault-Volvo, a collaboration between two French automakers and Sweden’s Volvo.
What engine did the DeLorean DMC-12 use?
Production DMC-12s were fitted with a rear-mounted PRV V6, identified in the technical account as code ZMJ-159. The engine displaced 2,849 cc, or about 2.8 liters. PRV Concept reports the detailed specifications below from a DeLorean training manual; these are published specifications, not results of an independent test.
| Specification | DMC-12 PRV V6 |
|---|---|
| Configuration | V6, 90-degree bank angle |
| Displacement | 2,849 cc |
| Valves | 12 |
| Fuel system | K-Jetronic mechanical injection; Lambda control on the American-market version |
| Bore × stroke | 91 mm × 73 mm |
| Compression ratio | 8.8:1 |
| Rated output | 130 bhp SAE net at 5,500 rpm |
| Rated torque | 220 Nm at 2,750 rpm |
| Engine placement | Rear |
These figures and the ZMJ-159 identification are listed by PRV Concept, which attributes the technical data to DeLorean training material. Classic DeLorean Motor Company also describes factory DMC-12s as having an all-aluminum 2.8-liter V6 rated at 130 hp in its buyer’s guide. The sources use different output labels—bhp and hp—so the figures should not be treated as a new measurement or a separate engine variant.
What does PRV mean, and was the engine French?
PRV is short for Peugeot-Renault-Volvo. Peugeot and Renault are French manufacturers; Volvo is Swedish. Volvo joined Peugeot and Renault in 1971, making the V6 a product of a three-company partnership rather than an exclusively French engine. Calling it French-sourced is understandable shorthand for its French origins, but omits Volvo’s role. PRV Concept’s history of the PRV V6 outlines the partnership.
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Why did the PRV V6 have a 90-degree angle?
The DMC-12’s engine had an unusual 90-degree V6 layout. PRV Concept traces that geometry to a planned 90-degree V8 architecture: when the project was reduced by two cylinders, the original bank angle remained. The result was a V6 with a layout inherited from the broader engine design, rather than the narrower angle many readers may expect from a V6.
What should buyers and owners know about the engine?
A specification sheet cannot tell you the condition of an individual DMC-12. Classic DeLorean Motor Company advises prospective buyers to examine documentation, service history, and the quality of work performed, with particular attention to cooling-system maintenance and regular oil changes. These are general inspection priorities, not proof that every car has the same fault or requires an identical repair.
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For maintenance or restoration work, Classic DeLorean Motor Company describes its workshop manual as the primary factory service manual for dealer technicians, with rebuild instructions for major systems, including the engine and transmissions. Confirm that any manual you consult matches the car and the work being undertaken.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When did DMC-12 production begin?
Classic DeLorean Motor Company says factory production records show the first four cars began down the Dunmurry production line on 17 December 1980. The company reports that VIN 500 was completed on 18 January 1981. These dates are the company’s account of the production records, as presented in its article on the first DeLorean.
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