Jalopnik: james bond

REPORT: Investment Dar Financial Instability Could Hurt Aston Martin

Ray Wert — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:10:00 EDT

Investment Dar's financial turmoil could hurt Aston Martin's ability to build Bond's, anyone's cars. [Autoblog]

Roger Moore's Daughter Confounds The Baddies In Her '89 Oldsmobile Trofeo

Murilee Martin — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EDT

Oldsmobile apparently had a policy of hiring the daughters of famous actors for their ads of the Bush I Era; there's Julia Nimoy in this '91 Silhouette ad, and here's Deborah Moore in the Trofeo.

With that futuristic touch-screen dash display, it's no wonder that the forces of evil will stop at nothing to get their hands on the Trofeo. Why, they'll even blow up a hay wagon in their desperation!

James Bond's New Submarine: The Acura NSX

Peter Orosz — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:30:00 EDT

Any cinephile petrolhead worth his salt will tell you underwater motoring requires the possession of a Lotus Esprit. But in the real world? As you see above, and in the epic video below, choose the Acura NSX.

The Esprit’s status in underwater history was cemented in the wonderful chase scene from The Spy Who Loved Me, where Roger Moore drives his Lotus into the water where it promptly turns into a submarine:

The NSX is known more for being fast. Very fast. If you need to not only beat the clock but beat even your expectations of beating the clock, look no further than Harvey Keitel’s stepping on the stage of Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, a movie only slightly younger than the 19-year-old NSX:

Nine minutes and thirty-seven seconds. But what if you’re not in sunny Southern California but in a region affected by torrential downpours, like the Western Ghats in India—or Orange Park, Florida? It turns out the NSX has another trick up its sleeve as you'll see from this video:

James Bond's Lotus Esprit Turbo Goes Under The Hammer, Again

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:30:00 EDT

The Lotus Esprit Turbo from the lesser James Bond film For Your Eyes Only will go under the hammer in London at the end of this week. Roger Moore fans rejoice!

Our favorite part of the Bond Esprit, other than it being a Turbo Esprit, is the set of skis on the top. We'd love to pull up to some Aspen ski resort in one of these. Considering it previously sold at auction for 250,00 and the bidding is expected to net $150,000, this could be a steal.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Models pose with a Lotus Turbo Esprit car form the 1981 James Bond film For Your Eyes Only is displayed for sale on July 8, 2009 in London. This Lotus Esprit is estimated at £90,000 - £100,000. An auction of collectors items including The 007 Collection will be offered for sale at Coys 2009 at Blenheim Palace on July 18, 2009.

Photo Credit: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

LotusEspritTurbo.com

Aston Martin DBS Volante: Perfect Summer Grand Tourer?

The Auto Insider — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:45:00 EDT

It's summer time. Our thought is it doesn't get better than listening to the glorious baritone note of the Aston Martin DBS Volante's 510 HP, 6.0-liter V12. Is it the perfect summer grand tourer?

Could this be the perfect summer grand tourer? Would you question its merits when prior to its roof getting the ol' heave hoe, it miraculously delivered 007 to safety in Quatum of Solace?

It's brute force styling over a delicately sculpted DB9 body makes no promises to cloak the twelve angry cylinders exploding every 6500 revolutions per minute, nor does it make any compromises in its delivery. With the Emotion Control Unit, you, the driver and tamer of the beast, control the DBS Volante while perched inside a svelte and lavishly appointed leather interior while the sculpted leather buckets hug you in return through every off camber turn in an attempt to let you know how much it appreciates getting abused and put away slightly wet.

We'll let you decide whether the DBS Volante deserves such a worthy title after you spend a few minutes fantasizing over these mouth watering, newly released images. Hand towels will not be provided upon the end of the ride.

2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph
2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante
6.0-liter V12
Weight 3737 lbs
Aspiration natural
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
HP 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
HP/Liter 85 hp per liter
0-62 mph 4.3 seconds
Top Speed 191 mph

Mercedes AMG Releases Cool Runnings Simulator

Andrew Didorosi — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:30:00 EST

Have you ever thought about buying an AMG, but needed to know how it does in the ice luge? Now you can act out those urges with AMG's newest flash game!

To fit in with the hip "Everyone's a Winner" trend sweeping through school gym classes everywhere, Mercedes has released a free online flash game that you can't lose. When we first heard about a game where you're bombing down an ice luge track in AMG products, the first image that popped into our collective heads was one of a silver Nazimobile doing gnarly flips after it flies off of the edge into oblivion. When approaching the edge, a mysterious red blur bumps you back on track. The bloody smear is a bit like getting shot in the face in Goldeneye. Although the never-lose system is kind of a buzzkill, it's worth wasting five minutes at work on such a widget. You can catch the fun here.

Hat tip to AMGDictator!

Bond Bad Guy Car Of Choice: Ford Edge Is The New Explorer, Escalade Or Suburban

Ray Wert — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:45:00 EST

We just saw Quantum of Solace this weekend. While most might get all googly-eyed at the Aston Martin DBS, gushing over it's sleek sexiness even after it's taken into a wall of a quarry, we took something else away from the new Bond flick. We noticed a Black Ford Edge (with odd hydrogen power stickering) playing the role of the basic bad-guy vehicle of choice rather than a Huge-UV. It's a strange change for us to have to wrap our minds around.

It's especially true when you think about the differences between the Edge and the old basic bad-guy SUV — a black Ford Explorer, black Cadillac Escalade or black Chevy Suburban. Two main reasons we can think of. First, you just can't up-armor an Edge like you can a full-size SUV. Second, you can't fit as many "villain #4"'s along with the requisite guns, ammo and gear into the two-row crossover. But, in this age of environmental consciousness and the Financiapocalypse, even evil criminal masterminds take Solace in a car sucking gas by the Quantum rather than the gallon. It's still strange to see them driving that Ford, but it also may just be they like to live on the Edge...uh.

Lotus Esprit Submarine Car From The Spy Who Loved Me Heading To Auction Again

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST

James Bond's transforming Lotus Esprit from The Spy Who Loved Me is up on the auction block again, so if you've got $175,000 and an appreciation for the Giugiaro-designed 1976 Lotus Esprit we recommend booking a flight to London next month for the Bonhams auction. What makes the Esprit so famous is that, at the touch of a button in the film, it turned into a submarine. We're fairly certain the Lotus up for auction, though from the film, will not actually turn into a submersible. If you want one of those you'll have to wait for the Rinspeed sQuba or invest in a blue screen. Happy bidding. Hit the jump for "official" specs on the Esprit from the movie.

Specs

White Lotus Esprit, number plate "PPW 306R", with the following modifications:

Submarine Features

*Retractable wheels, with extendable covers to protect the wheel cavity
*Retractable fins and rudders for underwater steering
*Convertible dashboard to double as a submarine control system
*Radar and Nautical guidance equipment
*Metal blinds for rear window
*Four retractable propeller units at the rear of the car

Weapons & Defence

*Surface-to-air missiles
*Underwater mines
*Oil-slick sprayer for underwater camouflage
*Rear mounted concrete sprayers
*Harpoons for underwater combat
*Self destruct system
*TV Monitor and closed-circuit camera
*Periscope

[Gridcrasher, Photo Credit: qv500

Bond Star Daniel Craig Lands Lifetime Aston Martin Privileges

Andrew Stoy — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:30:00 EDT

Despite his record of Aston abuse, current James Bond actor Daniel Craig has been granted lifetime privileges to swing by the Aston Martin factory any time he likes and take the car of his choice out for a spin. Want to borrow the test track for a bit? No problem. Of course, Craig says he has no interest in actually buying an Aston since parking in London is such a bear. Best to take the Tube. While we admire AM's PR gesture, we wonder if it wouldn't have been more laudable to pick someone lesser from the movie crew, like a key grip or best boy. You know, someone who can't afford to buy pretty much any Aston Martin he wants already. [Motor Authority]

Manic James Bond Fan Pays $350,000 For Wrecked Aston Martin DBS

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:00:00 EDT

If you'll remember, back in April a stunt driver for the latest James Bond flick, Quantum of Solace, lost control of a brand spankin' new Aston Martin DBS, plunging it into Italy's Lake Garda. According to Daniel Craig, the actor playing 007, a rabid fan has snapped up the remnants of that car for a cool £200,000 — about $350,000 in 'merican play money. Keep in mind a DBS off the showroom floor runs about $200 grand, so that's a whopping pile of change to claim the rights to a wrecked and waterlogged automobile which won't even show up on the silver screen. We've seen fit to toss in the video of the leftovers, just to rub salt in the wound. [Luxist]

Aston Martins Look Lame In New James Bond-Flavored Coke Zero Commercial

Mark Arnold — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:20:00 EDT

With everyone looking forward to the new James Bond movie, Quantum Of Solace, there isn't a brand out there that doesn't want a slice of juicy cross-promotion. We can't imagine Bond to be the type that would prefer a sugar-free cola over a normal Coke, but that doesn't matter right now. We're just let down by how cheesy the CG Aston Martins look in this otherwise cool, stylized opening-credits-like ad. [via CarDomain]

Full-Size Cardboard Aston Martin DB5 Comes Complete With Cardboard Spy Gadgets, Machine Guns

Ben Wojdyla — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EDT

Built by Chris Gilmour, an English artist with a penchant for working with cardboard, and titled "Aston Martin," this full-sized replica of James Bond's venerable Aston Martin DB5 comes complete with all of the brilliant gadgets seen in the movie Goldfinger. A close inspection reveals the car is equipped with cardboard machine guns, oil slick spray nozzle, radar tracking screen and bulletproof plate at the rear, among others. It even has a flip top shifter knob with the red ejector seat button. The parachute on the ejector seat? Unfortunately, we're pretty sure it too is made entirely of totally useless cardboard.

[Chris Gilmour]

Quantum Of Solace Trailer Hits Web, Shows Off Hot Aston Martin Action

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:30:00 EDT

What's that? Sony Pictures released the first trailer of the upcoming James Bond flick "Quantum of Solace" today? Oh, they did it online for two hours only? Well, how about that buzz building. Also, it's a good thing we managed to snag it for you. With this 22nd entry into the world of Bond, we see James going out for revenge following the death of Vesper Lynd. And by revenge we mean the ass-kicking, bad guy-stabbing, motorcycle-jumping, Aston Martin DBS-racing kind of revenge. Yeah, the good kind. Hope that pretty Aston doesn't go into the drink... oops. [AOL Video and Sony Pictures]

Daniel Craig Crashes Aston Martin DBS Into Quarry

Wes Siler — Tue, 27 May 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Filming a sequence that's believed to form the climax of a chase scene for the new Bond film "Quantum of Solace," Daniel Craig and the rest of the Bond crew deliberately crashed an Aston Martin DBS into an Italian quarry. That crash should conclude a 15-minute pre-title credits scene in which Bond is pursued through the Italian Alps by bad guys in Alfa Romeos. All of the previous inadvertent crashes, the degree to which the Aston appears destroyed in these photos and the elaborate filming taking place at dramatic locations across Italy point to this chase sequence being a doozy.

[Via MI6.co.uk]

Second Car Accident Befalls Bond Film Stuntmen

Ray Wert — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:40:00 EDT

It's not easy being a stuntman on the set of the new James Bond movie, "Quantum of Solace." If you'll remember, earlier this week we told you about that stunt driver taking Bond's Aston Martin DBS into the drink (and the subsequent video aftermath) in what's being described as a highly dangerous "delivery-related" stunt. Now they've seen another car accident. Although this time it wasn't the DBS, it was double trouble as two of the men all about stunts were involved. Reportedly,

"the accident happened when the car used by two stuntmen rammed into a filming lorry and then into a wall on set near the picturesque Lake Garda in northern Italy..."

"...one of the two men, a Greek national, ended up in intensive care in a hospital in the nearby town of Verona."

Apparently, the other Bond stuntman was shaken more than he was — you know — right. Luckily it was the last day of filming around Lake Garda. God knows whether we'd be able to deal with another DBS going down. [via AFP]

The Wreckage Of The HMS Aston Martin DBS

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:50:00 EDT

We know this has to be as painful for you to look at as it is for us to write about. Footage has surfaced of James Bond's Aston Martin DBS after the Italian police fished it out of Lake Garda. If you recall, the driver of the car lost control while in transit to the set, sending both he and the car plunging into the murky depths, falling to a depth of 150 ft before our anti-hero was able to rouse himself and make his way, frog-like, to the surface. That sounds like some serious James-Bond-like action, but unfortunately, it won't be relegated to the "bloopers" reel as no one was around to record the action. Well, except for this gruesome post-mortem. Oh Aston Martin DBS, you are beautiful, even in death. [CarDomain Blog]

James Bond's Aston Martin DBS Swan Dives Into Italian Lake

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:20:00 EDT

It seems the lusty power of the Aston Martin DBS, a rain-soaked night and an over-zealous stunt driver conspired to result in James Bond's car taking a swim in Lake Garda in Italy. According to the Daily Telegraph, a stunt driver for the latest film Quantum of Solace, lost control while bombing along some narrow roads and managed to fly off the road. While the car was a quantum of sogginess, the driver managed to escape a similarly water-soaked fate, but probably decidedly less marketable as a stunt driver. We're thinking it's excusable to lose a car when you're rehearsing or performing a stunt in front of the camera and crew. It's probably less acceptable when you're merely attempting to deliver the car to the set. Even less acceptable is that it's the only car available for filming.

Tires With Retractable Studs Take A Note From Bond

Travis Hudson — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:30:00 EDT

Anybody that has ever tried to put those damned tire chains on can smile and know that the age old midwest winter traditional may soon be extinct thanks to Q Celsius, a new tire that has retractable studs. The Q Celsius takes its name from James Bond's gadget man, Q, and operates with a switch inside the vehicle.

When you flip a switch inside the car a wireless signal is sent to the tires that will inflate a pocket of air within each tire that makes the little studs protrude from the tire's tread. Like most specialty tires, the Q Celsius is about 30 percent more expensive than traditional tires, but the manufacturer is hoping the lazy factor sets in and people will pay more to not have to put on chains or swap out for winter tires. [Detroit News]

Mexican Police Nab James Bond-Style Jeep Grand Cherokee

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:15:00 EDT

In a daring bit of cartel violence, drug runners in northern Mexico smashed into a military vehicle, jumped out, lobbed a grenade and then made their escape on foot. Daring! Audacious! But it's what they left behind that's really insane.

It was a Jeep Grand Cherokee outfitted with the goods to put up a smoke screen and deploy spikes in the event of a chase. Part of us thinks this is really cool, and wonders if there were also missile launchers behind the headlights, an ejector seat, and hidden machine gun turrets. But on the other hand, such weaponry would be directed at Federales, and that's not cool. It's worth noting that AMC Jeeps were originally equipped with a smoke screen/oil slick machine, but that was mounted under the hood, called "the engine." [BBC Online]

New Ford Ka To Be Shaken, Not Stirred In New Bond Film "Quantum Of Solace?"

Wes Siler — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:30:00 EDT

We've got a chance to check out some exclusive video from the set of the new Bond flick, "Quantum of Solace." Yes, it's a silly name for a movie. But you know, the "Ka" is a silly name for a car — except for, you know, in Boston. So it seems like the two would work well together, which, if the video's right, will be just the case. The clip appears to show the new, and as yet un-revealed, Ford Ka hitting the silver screen in the new 007 movie, complete with some strange graphics running down the side. Well, we'd have preferred a new Mondeo like the last movie, but beggars Ka-n't be choosers. Ha. We slay ourselves. But what do you think? Is that the new Ka-Ka? Video after the jump.

[via AintItCoolNews]