He’s not only famed for his gadgets and thrilling adventures, but James Bond also loves his cars.
Some of them are packed with the latest technology but sadly don’t last very long before being destroyed.
Here, the Carvine team looks at the best Bond cars.
1. Aston Martin DB5 (Goldfinger, 1964)
The quintessential James Bond car, the Aston Martin DB5 first appeared in Goldfinger and has been featured in several other films since. It will undoubtedly top every list of best Bond cars and is equipped with all sorts of gadgets, including machine guns, a smoke screen, and even an ejector seat. Arguably the most famous Bond car of all time, this car is the epitome of cool and helped make Sean Connery’s Bond the most iconic character in cinematic history. The car itself is a true classic.
2. Lotus Esprit (The Spy Who Loved Me, 1977)
The Lotus Esprit from The Spy Who Loved Me is perhaps best remembered for its ability to transform into a submarine. The car is equipped with torpedoes, a periscope and even a breathing apparatus for Bond. The Esprit S1 is not only one of the best Bond cars, but it’s also one of the most iconic cars in cinema history. This sleek sports car makes the perfect getaway vehicle for any situation.
3. Aston Martin V8 Vantage (The Living Daylights, 1987)
The V8 Vantage from The Living Daylights is outfitted with all sorts of cool gadgets, including laser-guided missiles, mortars, and a smoke screen. The car also features bulletproof windows and tyres. These features helped James Bond escape numerous dangerous situations throughout the film. The V8 Vantage remains one of the most popular Aston Martin models to date and is considered by many to be one of the best Bond cars.
4. BMW Z3 (Goldeneye, 1995)
The BMW Z3 from Goldeneye was the first Bond car to feature gadgets that were more realistic and less outlandish than those in previous films. The car is equipped with a grappling hook, stinger missiles, and a self-destruct button. The grappling hook is used to snag bad guys off ledges, the stinger missiles take out pursuing vehicles, and the self-destruct button is, well, self-explanatory. The Z3 is also equipped with a tracking device so that Bond can keep tabs on his enemies.
5. Aston Martin DB5 (Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997)
The DB5 is a true classic, and its return in Tomorrow Never Dies only solidified its place as one of the best Bond cars. The array of gadgets this new model was outfitted with was impressive, to say the least. Machine guns, a missile launcher, and even a remote control were all at 007’s disposal when behind the wheel of this beauty. Of course, the car also came equipped with the usual suspects like tyre spikes and an ejector seat. No matter what situation Bond found himself in, he knew he could count on the DB5 to get him out of it.
6. Jaguar XKR (Die Another Day, 2002)
The Jaguar XKR from Die Another Day is equipped with all sorts of high-tech gadgets, including laser-guided missiles, machine guns and a smoke screen. It’s no wonder that this car helped James Bond escape from some very sticky situations. The XKR also has an ejector seat, which comes in handy when you need to make a quick getaway. This car is one of the coolest Bond cars of all time.
7. Aston Martin DBS V12 (Casino Royale, 2006)
The Aston Martin DBS V12 from Casino Royale is a work of art. This beautiful car is equipped with some serious firepower, including machine guns and a GPS tracker. It’s the perfect car for any Bond fan who wants to feel like they’re in the movie. The DBS V12 is one of the most technologically advanced cars ever made, and it’s clear that it was designed with Bond in mind. The car is fast, sleek and powerful, and it’s sure to turn heads wherever it goes. If you’re looking for the ultimate Bond car, the Aston Martin DBS V12 is the perfect choice.
8. BMW Z8 (The World is Not Enough, 1999)
The BMW Z8 from The World is Not Enough is a workhorse of a car. It’s equipped with machine guns, missiles and a bulletproof shield. This car is the perfect choice for any Bond fan who wants to feel like they’re in the movie. The BMW Z8 can go from 0 to 60 in just 4.2 seconds, making it one of the fastest cars in the Bond films. It’s also equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, making it a joy to drive. The BMW Z8 is the perfect car for a Bond fan.
9. Aston Martin DB10 (Spectre, 2015)
The Aston Martin DB10 is a two-door coupé that was specifically created by the carmaker for the Bond film Spectre. This car is packed with gadgets and celebrates the fifty-year partnership with Bond which started with the DB5 in the 1964 film Goldfinger. Out of all the Bond cars, the DB10 is one of the rarest with only 10 being manufactured in total – hence the name. Of those, eight were used for Spectre filming while the other two served as show cars. Daniel Craig’s Bond takes to it as expected — with very little respect and even less regard for the detailing. The DB10 also gave people a preview of the new styling direction that would be seen in future Aston Martin models.
10. Aston Martin Vanquish (Die Another Day, 2002)
The Vanquish is a beautiful car, and it’s clear that Aston Martin spared no expense when outfitting it for the movie. The gadgetry is top-notch, and it was built with both style and function in mind. For many fans, this car is ranked as one of the best Bond cars.
11. Bentley Mark IV (From Russia with Love, 1963)
The Bentley Mark IV from From Russia with Love is a luxurious car befitting of a Bond villain. It’s packed with features, including an oil slick dispenser and machine guns. The car is also bulletproof, making it the perfect getaway vehicle. The Bentley is a sleek black, which makes it perfect for blending in at night. It’s outfitted with all the latest gadgets, making it the perfect vehicle for a villainous plot.
12. Sunbeam Alpine II (Dr No, 1962)
The Sunbeam Alpine II may not be the most technologically advanced car to appear in a James Bond film, but it is certainly one of the most iconic. The boxy, yet elegant design of the car is a perfect reflection of the simple sophistication of the early Bond films. Perhaps the most impressive feat of the Sunbeam Alpine II is its size; the Series II model is a full two feet shorter than the Aston Martin DB5 yet is still able to squeeze under a parked crane and force its pursuers off a cliff. The Sunbeam Alpine II may be quaint in retrospect, but it made the mould for all subsequent Bond cars. As Bond himself says after a deadly chase, “I think they were on their way to a funeral.”
13. BMW 750iL (Goldeneye, 1995)
The BMW 750iL from GoldenEye is the perfect post-Cold War car. It’s a sensible, four-door saloon that Q hides in a car rental office. Packed with the usual refinements, the 750iL is a stand-out car for Bond with the multi-storey car park is a Bond masterclass. Every toy makes an appearance – even the mobile phone doubles as a Game Boy. One memorable scene sees nameless henchmen doing more damage to themselves than their target.
14. Land Rover Defender (No Time to Die, 2020)
The Land Rover Defender is a rugged and reliable off-roader and has been a staple in the Bond films, appearing in nearly as many as Aston Martins. Land Rover even created a special edition Defender just for the movie. So, if you’re looking for an adventure-ready vehicle that can go toe-to-toe with the best of Bond’s cars, the Defender is a great choice.
15. Aston Martin DBS (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, 1969)
The Aston Martin DBS made its debut in ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. It is a successor to the DB6 and retained the same engine as previous models with a focus on updated looks. This signified a new era for both Aston and Bond, with George Lazenby taking over from Sean Connery. With relatively few gadgets, the DBS also makes a brief appearance in Diamonds are Forever when it is fitted with a missile launcher in Q’s workshop.
16. Mercedes-Benz 600 (Diamonds are Forever, 1971)
The Mercedes-Benz 600 is the perfect car for a Bond Villain. Its long wheelbase makes it luxurious and chauffeur-driven, while its hydraulic suspension and seat adjustments make it comfortable. Its 6.3-litre V8 engine is powerful and efficient, making it the perfect car for a Bond villain.
17. Aston Martin DBS Superleggera (No Time to Die, 2020)
We end our list of best Bond cars with a vehicle that didn’t appear with James Bond behind the wheel – but it did have 007. This was the latest Aston Martin to join the James Bond franchise in the shape of the DBS Superleggera. It was driven by Lashana Lynch’s character, Nomi, who is the new 007. However, James Bond does get to ride in it at some point during the film.
Aston Martin also revealed a special 007 Edition of the DBS Superleggera which was a limited edition car, painted in ceramic grey with black carbon fibre accents on the roof, mirrors, splitter, diffuser and rear spoiler. Only 25 of these special edition cars were produced.
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