Aston Martin continues its long relationship with the James Bond franchise with two special 007 releases.
Aston Martin has become synonymous with the James Bond flicks; scenes of Bond – from Sean Connery through to Daniel Craig – evading the villains, usually with the help of Q’s gadgetry, and as often as not destroying his car in the process, have become as iconic as any in the franchise. The British auto marque continues the association with the release of two exclusive 007 special edition cars, just in time for the latest installment, No Time to Die, in which the motors make dramatic camos.
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The special releases, an Aston Martin Vantage and an Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, will join big screen appearances by an iconic BD5, and the brand’s latest super GT, the Aston Martin Valhalla. Each special release has been carefully designed and crafted by the experts in Aston Martin’s bespoke division, Q by Aston Martin, which not only delivers carefully curated special editions but also lets individual owners to embark on the creation of utterly individual sports cars via the Q by Aston Martin – Commission service.
The first of the two models is the Vantage 007 Edition, inspired by the original Aston Martin V8 which made its 007 debut in The Living Daylights in 1987 and which also features in No Time to Die. The movie sees James Bond uncover the car from his personal lock-up in London.
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Building on the formidable sporting style and aggressive performance of the regular Vantage, the new car features unique exterior styling treatments led by a bespoke mesh grille with chrome bezel that references the look of the brand’s classic V8. Further styling details include a dashed yellow diffuser inspired by the hazard stripes on the film car’s rockets – you can even opt for the limited edition skis and ski rack seen on the ‘winterised’ V8 saloon driven by Timothy Dalton.
The car will be delivered in authentic Cumberland Grey exterior paint colour, whilst the interior will be presented in obsidian black leather and dark chrome with 007 branding applied on the centre console of cars equipped with a manual gearbox. The sun visors of all the cars will carry another subtle film reference in the shape of an embroidered radio station frequency – 96.60 (FM) – which 007 buffs will know was the Russian police frequency Bond used to aid his escape in The Living Daylights.
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The seats themselves feature unique heritage fluting reminiscent of that seen in the V8, along with carbon fibre seat backs and, in a particularly detailed nod to the 1980s film, the outline of cello ‘f holes’ inspired by the film’s memorable cello chase scene.
The driver can indulge themselves further with a laser-etched gadget plaque that references the various weapons and devices seen on the original film car, including a rocket motor, missiles, lasers, a targeting display, and ski outriggers, while crosshairs etched onto the car’s paddle shift gear levers allude to the missile guidance system. Available as a manual or automatic, the Vantage 007 Edition also boasts a side strake Vantage badge and is limited to 100 units globally.
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Even more exclusively, the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, the second special release, will be limited to 25 units worldwide. The 715bhp provided by the DBS Superleggera’s 5.2-litre V12 twin-turbocharged engine is befitting of the car’s range-topping status while its torque peak, at 900Nm, is not only substantial in its own right but, as things currently stand, the greatest torque figure for any roadgoing Aston Martin yet produced.
To this potent mix, the DBS Superleggera 007 Edition adds a raft of styling and design enhancements that further elevate its appeal. The car sports special Ceramic Grey exterior paint with the roof, mirror caps, splitter, diffuser and rear Aeroblade II are presented in black tinted carbon fibre, an effect that’s accentuated by striking Gloss Black diamond-turned Y-Spoke 21-inch wheels.
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This special edition also features a 007 fender badge, finished in chrome with a black enamel infill, and Stainless Steel Silver 007 foil applied to the rear spoiler blade.
Inside, the cockpit of this DBS Superleggera is a dark, brooding, leather-clad environment with flashes of red detailing on the outline of the seats. Subtle 007 branding can be found on the door cards, armrest buckle badge, and on the rear sub-woofer cover. The car is finished with a sill plaque that recognises it is one of just 25 DBS Superleggera 007 Editions.
Deliveries are expected to begin in early 2021.
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