Cars are a big part of the James Bond franchise, with the star MI6 agent often needing a cool ride to either flee from baddies, chase them or simply show up to black-tie events in style. And since most of the cars are provided by the agency, Agent 007 never has to worry about hurting his pockets or stealing.
Since the 1960s, Bond has placed his hands on the steering wheels of multiple models and brands. Versions of the Aston Martin have featured the most since they were what author Ian Fleming preferred. But which Bond cars have been the most impressive? Redditors have pointed at a few rides as the most outstanding.
Lotus Esprit S1
Redditor -Take-It-Easy- feels no other car beats the Lotus Esprit from The Spy Who Loved Me. They specifically like its amphibious capabilities, writing, “It’s the best since it’s also a mini-submarine.” In the movie, Bond drives the S1 as he engages in a chase with Karl Stromberg’s henchmen through the beautiful Sardinia island roads.
The S1 is perhaps the most unrealistic out of all Bond cars but its legendary status is mostly tied to the fact that it’s in one of the best James Bond car chase scenes. Apart from having fins and airtight lock systems for underwater maneuvering, it can also spray cement and fire missiles, something the villainous Bond girl, Naomi, learns the hard way. The more realistic version of the car hits top speeds of 138mph and has a 907 4-cylinder engine.
Citroen 2CV
Redditor throwaredddddit says “The Citroen 2CV from For Your Eyes Only performed well beyond its stature,’ adding, “Driving the wrong vehicle for the circumstances and still being able to escape make the best chases.” In the movie, Bond and Melina Havelock flee from Hector Gonzalez’s henchmen using the car.
The scene involving the 2CV borders on the miraculous since, by simply looking at it, the 2CV isn’t expected to move that fast. After all, it only has two-tax horsepower and a speed of 40 mph. One thing that would make it appealing to people without an MI6 budget is that it’s one of the cheapest Bond cars. By only forking out $8500, one can get to feel like Agent 007.
Aston Martin DB5
The DB5 has appeared a total of 8 times in the Bond franchise, making it the most featured car. SolidSneakNinja vouches for it, saying “It has a hell of a lot of cool gadgets and is a beauty.
The classic ride laid the foundation for future automotive directions in the franchise. Most of the standard gadgets that appear in almost every Bond car were first seen in the DB5. In the franchise, Craigs’s Bond seems to be fond of it more than his predecessors. And thanks to its performance in No Time To Die‘s Matera chase sequence, fans are unlikely to ever forget it even if the next Bond ignores it.
Lotus Espirit Turbo
Bloodgutsandpunkrock loves the Lotus Espirit Turbo from For Your Eyes Only, stating, “It doesn’t do anything special but it just looks right with the side-ski strapped to it. The car mostly features during Bond’s globetrotting escapades when he follows Hector Gonzales in Madrid, Spain, and when he visits a ski resort in Cortina, Italy.
A car that is able to skate is definitely a unique one and that’s among the reasons the Lotus Esprit Turbo’s image stays stored in the minds of Bond fans. Moreover, it has perhaps the most effective anti-theft system as it is shown self-destructing when a goon tries to break into it. The Q-branch gadgets don’t end there, with the advanced roof weapons system topping everything else.
Ford Mondeo
When Bond lands at the Bahamas airport in Casino Royale, he drives a rented Mondeo to the Ocean Club so that he can investigate the mysterious text. SpectreSaigon describes it as “the most accurate representation of what an intelligence operative would use.”
The Redditor is right about real-life spies not being as flashy as Bond has been over the years. A 1.6-liter engine car with 6-Speed Automatic transmission system like the Mondeo is what a spy is most likely to use to avoid drawing too much attention. The car isn’t involved in any chase scenes but it does make Bond look as ordinary as possible.
BMW 750iL
Q gives Bond a new BMW 750iL during the early stages of Tomorrow Never Dies. It’s then involved in a chase sequence at the Atlantic Hotel’s parking garage. IM_RR reminds everyone that this particular ride has ” all the equipment needed for any mission.”
With the BMW 750iL, the phrase “Bond’s toys” is taken literally. Apart from its reinflating tires and tear gas dispense, the car can be remote-controlled. Anyone looking to steal it won’t be so lucky either as the car has an electric shock system in place of an alarm. Given all the features, it’s a shame that the BMW 750iL only lasts a few minutes.
Aston Martin DB10
In Spectre, the DB10 is the designated car for Agent 009 but Bond covets, takes it, and heads to the SPECTRE conference in Rome with it. Onelimwen says the car is “so cool looking,” adding, “I wish Aston Martin would make some for the market.
The DB10 is unique because it’s one of few Bond-exclusive car so far. Aston Martin never mass-produced it for the public. Instead, the car manufacturer moved on to the DB11. Among its gadgets are the HUD target lock, a flamethrower, and an ejector seat that reminds viewers of Sean Connery’s bullion-related adventures in Goldfinger. The speedometer stops at an impressive 190 mph, which explains why Agent 007 easily flees from one of the best Bond henchmen, Mr. Hinx, who is driving a Jaguar C-X75.
Toyota 2000GT convertible
The only Toyota to be used in the franchise is driven by Bond Japanese Secret Service agent Aki in You Only Live Twice. User throwaredddddit calls it “the most elegant, unique car ever seen.”
The car has received a stamp of approval from none other than Daniel Craig, who referred to it as his favorite Bond car. Sadly, no one else can ever get to drive the exact type of car. Like the DB10, the 2000GT convertible is also Bond exclusive. However, a few non-convertible ones with top speeds of 135 mph can be spotted (albeit rarely) all over the world.
Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
About the Vanquish, the appropriately named Vanquisher1000 writes, “It has a beautiful Ian Callum design and that engine sounded glorious.” Bond is given the new toy when his license to kill gets reactivated by MI6 in Die Another Die.
The Vanquish literally takes the Bond franchise to Sci-fi territory as it can actually become invisible. It thus earns the nickname, “The Vanish.” Other than that, it has the usual standard Bond gadgets such as a rocket launcher, passenger ejector seat, and hood-mounted shotguns. And with the 190 mph,c catching Bond mostly remains a dream for henchman Zao, as he pursues Bond through icy roads in his equally brilliant Jaguar XKR.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante
The Vantage Volante is driven by Dalton’s Bond in The Living Daylights and by Craig’s Bond when he returns to the MI6 offices after his retirement in No Time To Die. According to 96powerstroker, it has an ” American muscle car styling with European flair.”
Craig’s Agent 007 does look good when he steps out of his Volante outside the MI6 offices but Dalton’s Volante can be considered the superior version thanks to its features. The car not only has spiked tires to puncture any other ride that can move faster than its 165 mph but can also fire laser beams.
NEXT: 10 Best James Bond Movies, According To Ranker
Stephen King Theory Connects Carrie To The Shining (& It’s Brilliant)
About The Author
Philip Etemesi (1173 Articles Published)
Philip Etemesi is an author, journalist, screenwriter and film critic based in Nairobi. Kenya. As a child, he preferred watching movies like The Goodfellas instead of Home Alone. His girlfriend constantly has to pull him from the front of the TV but he just keeps returning. Stubborn dude! An animal lover, Philip also has a pet giraffe called Refu.
