The James Bond film franchise is known for featuring glamorous women, glorious action set pieces, pithy dialogue and plenty of fast cars. 007 has jumped behind the wheel of many weird and wonderful vehicles over the past half-century, so here are just a few of the hottest rides put at the disposal of everyone’s favourite super-spy.
Aston Martin DB10
Sure, a lot of classic Aston Martins have made appearances in Bond movies, and for a sizable chunk of fans it will be vintage models like the DB5 which take precedence over their more modern counterparts. However, the DB10’s role in 2015’s blockbuster Spectre is enough to earn it a place on this list.
The DB10 is special because of its exclusivity since it was produced specifically for the film itself and was not intended to be put into full production. It is no surprise that one of the 10 examples built as part of the shooting and promotional efforts was auctioned for £2.4 million ($2.9 million).
Of course the claim that the DB10 was made specifically for James Bond is a little misleading, as Aston Martin really used the V8 Vantage as a basis for this one-off supercar. Even so, it certainly helps to give it the edge over a lot of 007’s other whips.
Aston Martin DBS
Casino Royale was an important movie in the Bond canon, revamping the series for a post-Bourne marketplace and introducing Daniel Craig in the leading role. It also had less of a focus on crazy gadgets and gizmos, yet still managed to deliver the goods when it comes to exotic vehicles.
Front and centre was the DBS, a car which literally saves Bond’s life outside of a casino thanks to its built-in defibrillator and assortment of antidotes. No doubt 007 decided to stick to playing at online casino sites after his run-in with unfeeling villain Le Chiffre in Montenegro.
Lotus Esprit S1
By 21st century standards, the first-generation Lotus Esprit is positively tame, packing just 140hp under the hood and lacking all but the most basic of creature comforts you would expect to find in a supercar today. Even so, in the hands of James Bond, it becomes much more than a simple sports coupe, as it famously featured submarine adaptations in 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me, allowing it to survive a plunge into the ocean and help our hero escape certain death.
While modern supercars may be built with aerodynamic precision, every surface exhibiting precisely-honed curves and divots, there is something charming about the wedge-like look of the Esprit S1, giving it a retro-future aesthetic that you just don’t see any more.
Jaguar C-X75
Another car which made its Bond debut in Spectre, this concept vehicle from Jaguar is one of the most impressive performers to ever have graced a film in this series, even if Bond himself never actually got behind the wheel of it.
With a hybrid powertrain rated to pump out 850 hp, the C-X75 is capable of hitting a blistering top speed of over 200mph, while reaching 62mph from a standing start in just 2.3 seconds. It should really have been able to wipe the floor with Bond’s DB10, but a little artistic license is to be expected from any spy movie.
Ford Mustang Mach 1
Not every Bond car has been British in origin, and Diamonds Are Forever afforded 007 the opportunity to get to grips with some good old fashioned American muscle.
Few other vehicles in the series have been able to match the 7.0-litre power plant of the Mustang Mach 1 for pure size and weight, and it got put in the spotlight during an entertaining chase through Las Vegas, even going up on two wheels in one delightfully implausible sequence.