We haven’t heard much from Delage since the company unveiled the F1-inspired D12 in 2020, but the automaker is back in the news as they have revealed the existence of a working prototype. Delage didn’t say much about the car, but it has been undergoing testing at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours in France. The company went on to say the prototype is slated to go on a U.S. tour this summer with its first stop planned to take place in California this August. The prototype will then arrive in Miami the following month to “offer Delage clients and prospects the chance to test drive the car.”
Besides confirming an operational
prototype, Delage revealed two dealers have signed a distribution and service
agreement for the D12 in the United States. The first was Delage of South
California from the Newport Beach Automotive Group, while the second is Delage
of Florida from Specialty Car Collection.
To celebrate the occasion, Delage and
Specialty Car Collection will be holding an invitation-only event on the eve of
the Miami F1 Grand Prix. The D12 show car will be in attendance and the company
will also show footage of the D12 prototype on the track.
As a refresher, the D12 is a US$ 2.3 million
hypercar that features a naturally aspirated 7.6-liter V12 engine that is
backed up by an electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The
engine produces 990 hp, while the electric motor in the GT
variant contributes an additional 110 hp to bring its combined
output to 1,100 hp.
Customers can also opt for a Club variant,
which has a 20 hp electric motor that “only assists with
traffic driving, parking and reverse.” The lightweight motor allows the Club to
weigh nearly 91 kg less than the GT, but it also comes with a lower
combined output of 1,010 hp.
The first D12s are slated to be delivered
to American customers in the second half of 2023. Production will be limited to
30 units globally and only ten are coming stateside. “Several” of these have
already been spoken for, so potential customers should probably act fast.
