Even if James Bond changed his wives more often than others their shirts, he always remained loyal to one car brand. Well, almost always. Whether a romantic drive with a beautiful woman by his side or a wild chase, not only James Bond always cut a good figure in an Aston Martin.
THE ASTON MARTIN AT THE JAMES BOND NO TIME TO DIE PREMIERE
ASTON MARTIN DB5
Especially the Aston Martin DB5 has done it to the secret agent in the service of his majesty. Because in four films, Bond races across the streets of this world in the silver-colored Grand Tourer (GT). The sleek car first appeared in Goldfinger in 1964. A year later, Sean Connery was also in wild chases with his opponents in the same model.
THE DB5 RETURNS IN SKYFALL (2012)
In Skyfall, the car celebrated its revival with the same license number as in Goldfinger. On the run from the villain Silva, James Bond fetches the Aston Martin DB5 from a secret garage, because the old technology means that the car cannot be located.
AND GOLDENEYE (1995)
THE ASTON MARTIN DB5 COMES BACK IN NO TIME TO DIE (2021)
Finally, we see the car again in No Time To Die, where it has to take a lot but, as always, does a loyal service to James Bond. So it withstands even heavy machine gunfire. Because, of course, the dear Q had always given the Aston Martin DB5 many extras, including built-in water and machine cannons.
AN EXCLUSIVE JAMES BOND CAR IN SPECTRE- THE ASTON MARTIN DB10
But the Aston Martin models also played a formative role in other respects. While the brand had completely underestimated the enormous marketing value in the times of Goldfinger, a model was developed exclusively for the film Spectre for the 50th anniversary of the partnership, the Aston Martin DB10.
Only ten of these models were built. While eight of them were used for the film, two cars were only used for PR purposes. One of them was auctioned off for more than 3.1 million euros for the benefit of the organization “Doctors Without Borders”.
THE ASTON MARTIN DBS IN ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE (1969)
You could also see the sleek models of the British brand, which has been building luxury cars for 108 years, in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” In the 1969 film, Bond’s great love Tracy (Diana Rigg) dies in an Aston Martin DBS decorated for the wedding. We could see a newer version of this model in “Quantum of Solace” (2008).
THE ASTON MARTIN V8 VOLANTE IN THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS (1987)
In The Living Daylights, Bond (Timothy Dalton) struggles to stow the cello of his playmate Kara Milovy (Maryam d’Abo) in his Aston Martin V8 Volante. This model was even equipped with rocket propulsion and powerful lasers.
THE ASTON MARTIN V12 IN DIE ANOTHER DAY (2002)
In Die Another Day, Bond (Pierce Brosnan) speeds away from his pursuers in an Aston Martin V12 Vanquish.
THE ASTON MARTIN V8 SALOON IN NO TIME TO DIE (2021)
And finally, in No Time To Die, James Bond (Daniel Craig) is darting around in an Aston Martin V8 saloon after his DB5 is destroyed.
THE OTHER CARS – BMW Z3 IN GOLDENEYE (2021)
But other car brands have also made James Bond’s heart, and those of many car enthusiasts beat faster. BMW, in particular, was at times attracted to the secret agent. In GoldenEye (1995) we see Bond (Pierce Brosnan) in a BMW Z3.
THE BMW 750 iL IN TOMORROW NEVER DIES (1997) & Z8 IN THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH (1999)
In “Tomorrow Never Dies”, Bond practices remote control of a BMW 750 iL sedan. And in “The World Is Not Enough”, a BMW Z8 is the vehicle of his choice.
DR. NO – Sunbeam Alpine Series II
Only Lives Twice – Toyota 2000 GT
Diamonds are Forever – Ford Mustang Mach I
THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN – AMC Hornet
THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (1977): Lotus Esprit S1
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY (1981): Lotus Esprit Turbo
Octopussy (1983): Range Rover Classic Convertible
As different as all these cars may be, there is one thing that connects them. You drive on petrol or diesel. So not only is the question of how things will go on with James Bond himself after Daniel Craig has submitted his farewell.
Rather, it remains to be seen whether, in the event of a continuation, the new 007 will move electrically or in a completely climate-neutral way. Surely this would mean less spectacular explosions.
However, new e-roadsters as the Porsche Tycan, which we were recently allowed to drive, show that we don’t have to do without adventurous car chases. With a lot of speed and the associated sound, it is in no way inferior to the old gasoline engines in terms of driving fun and action. So, we can look forward to what the future will bring us.
Text: Marco Kokkot
