007: The Best James Bond Cars

A list of James Bond cars

A variety of incredible cars have featured in the James Bond films throughout the decades.

Ranging from classic German vehicles through to the iconic Aston Martins the franchise is famed for, our screens have been gifted with some sensational vehicles.

With the 25th James Bond film, No Time to Die, now showing on the big screen, we thought it would be fitting to explore the best car(s) from each film ever made.

Sunbeam Alpine Series II

Dr. No (1962)

The Sunbeam Alpine made history as the first ever Bond car to appear on-screen. Interestingly, it was actually borrowed from a Jamaican resident, as it was the sportiest car they could find on the island.

Finished in Lake Blue, the drop-top certainly looks like an early bond car should, although there were no gadgets to speak of. The Alpine was used during the chase scene, with Bond escaping Dr. No's henchmen by slipping under a large crane in the road.

Sporting a 1.6-litre petrol engine with 80bhp, the Sunbeam is one of the slower cars on this list. However, there can be no denying its place within Bond's history.

Bentley 3.5 Litre

From Russia with Love (1963)

The Bentley 3.5 Litre in the opening scene of From Russia with Love remains iconic, despite Bond never actually driving the car.

He does, however, use the phone in the car to answer a call from the ever-diligent MI6; something quite unusual at the time of release. This is widely considered the first ever Bond car gadget of sorts as it was long before mobile telephones became commonplace.

The Bentley had a much improved power output over the Sunbeam Alpine, producing around 110bhp. That was despite the fact the Bentley was already 30 years old at the time of filming.

Aston Martin DB5

Goldfinger (1964)

Arguably the most iconic Bond vehicle of all time, the classic Aston Martin DB5 marked the beginning of an on-screen relationship between Aston Martin and 007 that has lasted for decades.

It was the first Bond car to make use of the iconic gadgets that we have come to expect, and the first to properly match up with Bond's glamorous lifestyle.

The DB5 in Goldfinger sported twin-machine guns, an oil slick and the deadly ejector seat. It was such an effective tool that Bond used it again in Thunderball; this time with an added water cannon.

Producing a huge 282bhp, the DB5 was capable of reaching 0 to 60mph in just 8.0 seconds; meaning Bond was always able to outrun his enemies no matter what the situation. The DB5 has become a mainstay in the Bond series, and has featured in other films including Goldeneye, Tomorrow Never Dies, Casino Royale, Skyfall and No Time to Die.

1/2 Mustang Convertible

Thunderball (1965)

"Some men just don't like to be taken for a ride." However, paint it baby blue, make it a convertible and get Bond girl, Luciana Paluzzi, to take you on a thrilling ride round the Bahamas and it gets even cooler.

Bond never drove the Mustang himself, but it wins a place for being the most iconic car from Thunderball, just from a small two-minute appearance.

The Mustang came with a 271bhp engine, and was given to the producers to use by Ford. Ford also gave them a Lincoln Continental during filming of the car compactor scene in Goldfinger.

Toyota 2000GT

You Only Live Twice (1967)

In an almost reoccurring theme, Bond is once again given a lift in a convertible he never gets to drive himself.

It is unfortunate for Bond because this particular 2000GT is quite special as it was one of only two convertible versions ever produced. Allegedly, this was due to the height of Sean Connery, who could not fit in the standard coupé, so a new one was built to accommodate his stature.

There were only 400 examples of the 2000GT made originally, which makes it one of the rarest cars on our list. The rear-wheel drive Grand Tourer was a proper sports car, and was powered by a 2.0-litre straight-six engine. Scarcity and performance aside, it is definitely one of the finest cars Bond has sat in.

Aston Martin DBS

Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)

The second Aston Martin to feature in Bond, this little number had some big shoes to fill. A successor to the Aston Martin DB6, the DBS retained the same engine from previous models with a focus on updated looks. A new era for Aston also signified a new era for Bond, with George Lazenby taking over the reins from Sean Connery.

After the gadget-laden era of the DB5, the DBS is relatively gadget-free, although there is a space in the glove compartment for a sniper rifle, which is not a standard feature on many cars, believe it or not.

The DBS also makes a brief appearance in the background of Q's workshop in Diamonds are Forever, when we see it being fitted with a missile launcher.

Mercedes-Benz 600

Diamonds are Forever (1971)

Some may argue this is the first notable 'Bond Villain' car we come across.

The Mercedes-Benz 600 is the car of choice for Bond's nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, for a number of reasons. Blofeld's long wheel-base model (LWB) is a luxurious chauffeur-driven Sedan.

Developed over the course of seven years, with hydraulic suspension and even hydraulic seat adjustments, the car had a 20ft long chassis. The W600 was so heavy that it required development of a new engine altogether, one twice the capacity of Mercedes-Benz's largest engine at the time, which came in the form of a 6.3-litre V8.

Blofeld is in good company as other famous owners of the W600 have included The Beatles' George Harrison and John Lennon, as well as actors Jack Nicholson and Rowan Atkinson.

Chevrolet Corvette

Live and Let Die (1973)

Another Bond villain car, this time used by Mr. Big. This Corvette looked especially different, with a bolstered body and wide wheel arches.

Dubbed a 'Corvorado', Mr. Big's car is actually a Chevrolet Corvette, modified with a fiberglass moulding of a Cadillac Eldorado. The car was modified again after filming finished and has been used in numerous other films since.

It may not be the most renowned vehicle to feature in the James Bond films, but it is certainly one of the rarest and most bespoke.

AMC Hornet

The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

The AMC Hornet 2-door hatchback proved an unlikely hero in a film not entirely remembered for its cars. It is driven straight from a Bangkok showroom by Bond, who then takes it on a rather wild journey to lose his pursuers. It is used in several driving stunts, including handbrake turns and the infamous corkscrew-style bridge jump.

The jump itself actually won a Guinness World Record for the first 'Astro Spiral' used in a movie. The car was heavily modified for the jump scene, with a rebuilt chassis to centralise the steering wheel. Seven tests of the jump were carried out, but it only took one take whilst filming to capture the stunt perfectly.

Another interesting car in Live and Let Die is Scaramanga's AMC Matador, which notably turned into a plane when an engine and wings were attached. The car is used to kidnap Mary Goodnight and reportedly travels over 200 miles. However, it could not actually fly, so a scale model was used during filming.

Lotus Esprit

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

Producers were impressed with the design of the new Lotus Esprit, which made its debut at the 1975 Earls Court motor show. Its striking design and British heritage soon led to it becoming the next Bond car. Gadgets included a cement dispenser at the rear of the car, used to blind chasing villains.

Famously, the Esprit other gadget was the ability to turn in to a submarine at a moment's notice, turning instantly from a road-going sports car to underwater explorer. A combination of modified real cars, scale models and remote control replicas were used to achieve the full underwater effect, from driving along the seabed to driving out of the water on to dry land.

MP Lafer

Moonraker (1979)

In Rio, Brazilian spy, Manuela, trails bond in her MP Lafer through heavy traffic. MP is a Brazilian brand, and the Lafer was based on classic sports cars of the 1940s and 1950s, borrowing heavy styling cues from brands such as Morgan and the Plus 4. Despite retro looks, the car was actually produced from 1974 up until 1990.

Aside from being a 2-seater roadster with a fiberglass body, the car actually shares a chassis with the Volkswagen Beetle (pictured). In addition to the engine, steering and transmission. Naturally, thanks to the Beetle underpinnings it was not renowned for speed, but is highly revered by collectors.

Citroën 2CV

For Your Eyes Only (1981)

After Bond's Lotus Esprit Turbo unfortunately self-destructs, he has to rely on a hardy Citroën 2CV for his escape. At the time, the 2CV came with a range of engines, varying in horsepower from 9 to 29bhp. Of course, none of these were really quick enough for Bond, who had to outrun two Peugeot 504s, so his was specially fitted with a much larger 4-cylinder engine.

Renowned for being almost indestructible, Bond and Melina Havelock escape safely after a dangerous chase - despite the 2CV being almost destroyed. To celebrate the film's release Citroën produced a special '007' edition of the car in the same bright yellow colour, complete with mock bullet holes.

BMW 518i

Octopussy (1983)

Two examples of the BMW 518i are utilised by the West German Police, chasing after Bond in a short sequence before he reaches the circus. The 518i is based on the BMW E28, and powered by a fuel-injected 1.8-litre petrol engine. When Octopussy was released in 1983, the BMW had only just reached European markets.

However, new as they were, the Polizei vehicles were no match for Bond's Alfa Romeo GTV6. The Alfa had a 2.5-litre V6, which was much better equipped for a high-speed chase on the Autobahn, thanks to an additional 40bhp, and easily outran the police.

Renault 11

A View To A Kill (1985)

Bond commandeers a Renault 11 taxi in the centre of Paris to chase after an elusive skydiving Mayday, bursting through market stalls and down stairs.

Along the way, the roof is removed by a parking barrier, before the rear end of the car is taken off entirely by oncoming traffic. That does not stop the Renault, however, which carries on going on two wheels until Bond parks it up against the Seine and leaps onto a barge.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage

The Living Daylights (1987)

Much similar to the Aston Martin DBS, the V8 Vantage arrived alongside a new James Bond in Timothy Dalton. The V8 Vantage was a much sleeker, smoother iteration of the 'fastback' style DBS, with an uprated engine and a fuel injection system taking place of the older carburettors.

Bond drives two separate V8 Vantage models in the film, starting off with a Vantage Volante Droptop, which was actually donated for use in filming by Aston Martin chairman, Victor Gauntlett.

The second Vantage had a roof equipped for winter driving, as well as some ski outriggers, which served as the car's main gadget, allowing Bond to use the Aston Martin V8 Vantage as a giant snowboard.

Lincoln Mk VII LSC

Licence to Kill (1989)

Bond's car choice in License to Kill once again included an American model with the Lincoln LSC, and it was certainly a good export.

The LSC, or Luxury Sport Coupé, was a high performance variant of the MK VII with the engine from a contemporary Ford Mustang. Featuring a 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine with 225bhp, the MK VII managed a surprisingly sprightly 0 to 62mph time of 8.3 seconds, giving Bond a licence to speed, too.

BMW Z3

GoldenEye (1995)

When Bond burst back onto the scene under the guidance of Pierce Brosnan in 1995, a new choice of car also followed. Bond got his own BMW to drive for the first time, and it came stacked with gadgets including an all-point radar system, stinger missiles, parachute brakes and an entirely bulletproof shell.

Unfortunately, he never got to use any of these to great effect before he traded the car in to US agent, Jack Wade, in exchange for a small plane. American luxury department store, Nieman-Marcus, released a special '007' edition of the BMW roadster, with a customised dashboard, floor mats, and a unique colour scheme that matches the film car.

BMW 750iL

Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

Brosnan's next BMW is more than involved in the action, making full use of an array of gadgets installed by Q. Most notably, the car could be operated via a mobile phone, which Bond utilises after deploying the in-built tear gas to take control when diving into the back seat to avoid gunfire.

Fortunately, the 750iL is the long wheelbase edition, with luxury aplenty and more than enough interior space for Bond's antics.

The bulletproof chassis resists blows from sledgehammers and machine guns, in addition to giving Stamper's men electric shocks as they attempted to open the doors. The BMW 7 Series meets an untimely end (despite the best of Bond's back-seat driving) as it crashes out of a multi-story car park and lands into a car rental, but the luxury super-saloon proves to be a hit.

BMW Z8

The World is not Enough (1999)

Bond's next car is one of the best-looking yet. The Z8 roadster was one of the most exclusive cars to ever enter BMW's line up, with a total run of about 5,700 having been made. Bond's was even more special though, as it included a remote control car key chain.

More notably, it utilises side mounted rockets, which emerge from the air vents to blow up a deadly lumberjack helicopter. However, Bond misses the second helicopter behind him, which saws the Z8 clean in half.

The BMW Z8 was nowhere near production-ready when shooting began, and so producers had to build two kit cars for use on the set, based on a body shell provided by BMW. The production Z8 boasted a 5.0-Litre 400bhp engine taken straight from the M5, meaning it reached 60mph in an impressive 4.7 seconds.

Ferrari F355

Die Another Day (2002)

A yellow Ferrari F355 makes an appearance in Die Another Day, taking residence in Zao's lair at the beginning of the film during the diamond exchange, and again towards the end as it falls from a cargo plane hold. A red Ferrari F355 is also involved at the start of GoldenEye, where Xenia Ontopp uses it to race bond in his Aston Martin DB5.

Naturally, the F355 is much faster than the DB5, sporting a 3.5-litre engine producing 375bhp. Renowned for great driveability, even at low speeds, there were several iterations of the Ferrari, including Spider, GTS, and Berlinetta. The model was the successor to the 348 and a relatively popular car with over 11,000 produced during its five-year production span.

Range Rover Sport

Casino Royale (2006)

A gold Range Rover Sport made a brief appearance in Casino Royale, where new Bond, Daniel Craig, uses the luxury SUV to cause some mayhem in the valet car park.

Crashing the Range Rover Sport into the car behind him, Bond sets off a number of car alarms allowing himself to sneak through the main entrance and lobby undetected.

It is also worth noting that the Aston Martin DB5 is seen again in Casino Royale, and shows how Bond wins the car in a game of poker.

Aston Martin DBS

The Quantum of Solace (2008)

The Aston Martin DBS V12 is used in the opening chase scene, and is being pursued across Siena, Italy, by a pair of Alfa Romeo 159s. The car just about reaches its destination in one piece, where we learn that Mr. White has been in the boot the whole time.

The DBS had a more notable role in Casino Royale, where gadgets on the back-to-basics reboot included a defibrillator and a poison analysis kit. The DBS featured in this film gained Guinness World Record accreditation for the most cannon rolls in a car, after being fired from a nitrogen cannon during a chase scene.

The DBS offers 510bhp from the 6.0-litre V12 engine, and a 0 to 62mph time of just 4.2 seconds. Impressive numbers, but nothing beats the noise it makes.

Jaguar XJ

Skyfall (2012)

A woman of discerning taste, M's car simply had to be the best. No wonder then, that she chose the Jaguar XJ L in a smart Midnight Black. The long wheelbase version of the XJ has interior space aplenty and ensures that the spacious rear is ideal for being comfortably chauffeur driven.

Models, such as the Premium Luxury, include televisions and iPad docks as standard, meaning M most likely had her favourite pick of technology working alongside her throughout Skyfall. Later in the film, Bond hijacks M in order to save her from Silva's clutches.

Jaguar Land Rover provided 77 vehicles for use in Skyfall, including the Land Rover Defender in the opening sequence used by Eve.

Aston Martin DB10

Spectre (2016)

Much like MI6's operations, the development of the Aston Martin DB10 remained largely secret until Spectre was released in 2016. Hand crafted and engineered by a dedicated team at the brand's Gaydon Headquarters, the DB10 was built specifically for the film.

The DB10 was designed to show a glimpse of what we could expect from future Aston Martin models. The company created 10 examples in total, with eight of those vehicles being used in the film and the other two being reserved for shows.

One of Bond's most visually-stunning car chases came in the DB10, where he was pursued by David Bautista in a dark orange Jaguar C-X75. It is rather fitting that the Jaguar was also a concept car.

Land Rover Defender

No Time to Die (2021)

As seen in the trailer of the latest Bond film, No Time to Die features an epic scene starring the latest Land Rover Defender. However, if you have seen the trailer, then you will have also seen just how much of a beating they get during a chase.

Land Rover provided the producers with 10 examples of the Defender 110 for No Time to Die. And bar a few necessary modifications, they are pretty the same spec of vehicle you can pick up from Land Rover retailers.

That in itself is impressive, the stunt cars underwent a huge amount of punishment. And with the exception of the ones that met an untimely end, the Defender clearly soaked up the punishment without breaking a sweat.

Aston Martin DBS

No Time to Die (2021)

Aston Martin has had an ongoing relationship with the James Bond franchise that has spanned over half a century. As a result, it should come as no great surprise to see that the Aston Martin DBS features in the 2021 edition of the 007 franchise, No Time to Die. 

While we cannot comment on how the car is used just yet, the trailer suggests that it is driven by Nomi, a new recruit into the '00' programme.

With a twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V12 petrol engine producing 715bhp, the DBS is certainly up to the job of getting an agent out of a tight spot. That is before you take into account any gadgets added by Q.

Which is your favourite Bond car?

While there are more vehicles that have featured in the Bond franchise, albeit with much more minor roles, there can be no denying that each of the vehicles above are legendary in their own right.

The latest entry into the Bond series, No Time to Die, has now been released at cinemas around the UK. And being joined by the likes of an original Aston Martin Vantage and a supremely advanced Aston Martin Valhalla, the new film promises to bring us more edge-of-our-seat entertainment than ever.