Bond Cars That Were Cooler Than the Villains
From cold-blooded assassinations to white-knuckle chases, James Bond’s cars are almost as iconic as 007 himself. Gadgets, glamour, and getaway horsepower collide in this list of the coolest rides ever to wear a license to kill. To just remember, they unfortunately don’t come with the same gadgets in real life!
Aston Martin DB5 (Goldfinger, 1964)
This isn’t just a regular Bond car; it’s THE Bond car, the one that started it all. With revolving license plates, machine guns, and an ejector seat, the DB5 set the standard for spycraft on four wheels. It was sleek, it was deadly, and it’s reappeared across the decades as Bond’s automotive soulmate.
Lotus Esprit S1 (The Spy Who Loved Me, 1977)
The Esprit’s wedge-shaped body was futuristic enough. but the fact that it transformed into a submarine made it unforgettable. Nicknamed “Wet Nellie” (what else would you expect from a Bond movie?), this amphibious Lotus became one of the most surreal and brilliant gadgets in the Bond arsenal.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage (The Living Daylights, 1987)
With missiles, lasers, rocket boost, and even snow skis, this V8 Vantage was enough to make the Batmobile green with envy - it was more tank than car! It also marked the return of Aston Martin to the Bond series, and packed all the charm and chaos a Cold War car chase could ask for.
BMW Z8 (The World Is Not Enough, 1999)
Sleek and high-tech, the Z8 featured remote control steering, rockets, and titanium armor. Sadly, it met a gruesome end after getting sliced in half by a buzzsaw-equipped helicopter (as you do). Still, it looked incredible doing it, and made BMW seem momentarily cooler than Aston.
Aston Martin DBS V12 (Casino Royale, 2006)
Rugged, raw, and aggressive, the DBS did the same job redefining Bond’s wheels as Daniel Craig did for 007 himself. It famously flipped seven times during a chase - setting a world record, no less - yet there were no gadgets here; just muscle, menace, and a whole lot of engine.
AMC Hornet X (The Man With the Golden Gun, 1974)
Bond stole the Hornet X from a showroom in Thailand and immediately launched it into a 360-degree corkscrew over a broken bridge. The stunt was real, done in one take, and it’s still jaw-dropping. A weird car? Yes. An awesome moment? Absolutely!
Aston Martin Vanquish (Die Another Day, 2002)
Dubbed “the Vanish” for its (sadly implausible) cloaking technology, the Vanquish was packed with gadgets , even if the CGI was a little suspect. It returned Bond to Aston Martin after a BMW detour and brought big spectacle to a campy era.
Citroën 2CV (For Your Eyes Only, 1981)
The 2CV is the polar opposite of a Bond car… but that’s what made it great! This humble yellow ride became an unlikely hero in a frantic hilltop chase with bullets flying and tires squealing, reminding us that Bond can improvise. Glamor is optional.
Aston Martin DB10 (Spectre, 2015)
Built specifically for the film, only ten DB10s were ever made! It had flamethrowers, rear-mounted guns (not included in the showroom versions), and slick curves that previewed future Aston design: sleek, sinister, and totally bespoke. it was Bond’s company car taken to the extreme.
Ford Mustang Mach 1 (Diamonds Are Forever, 1971)
Bond takes a red Mach 1 through a wild chase in Las Vegas, complete with alleyway escapes and a famous two-wheeled tilt. The Mustang oozes early ’70s muscle, and brought some flexing, American muscle galloping into the British spy game.
Toyota 2000GT (You Only Live Twice, 1967)
This rare beauty was so low-slung they had to build a convertible version just to fit Sean Connery. With its elegant lines and high-revving engine, the 2000GT was Japan’s answer to Jaguar, and it became an instant icon.
Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II (A View to a Kill, 1985)
Owned by Bond’s MI6 ally Sir Godfrey Tibbett, this stately Roller was all class until it ended up in a car wash murder scene. Even so, it brought old-world elegance to the series (and looked right at home beside a tuxedo).
BMW 750iL (Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997)
Bulletproof, gadget-laden, and it predicted the future by being remotely driven from Bond’s Ericsson phone, the 750iL was surprisingly badass. It may have looked like a corporate cruiser, but it delivered an explosive chase through a parking garage that made BMW cool for a new generation.
Land Rover Defender (No Time to Die, 2021)
Built for chaos, the Defender in Bond’s final film roars through off-road combat with military-grade intensity. It’s less about style, more about substance - a fitting match for the hardened, tactical Bond of the Craig era.
Aston Martin Valhalla (Featured in Promotional Material for No Time to Die)
The Valhalla didn’t get major screen time, but it earns its place for pure future-cool. A hybrid hypercar with Aston’s signature design and Formula One influence, it hints at what’s next - not only for Bond, but also for high-performance espionage!
