The Aston Martin DB10 is a bespoke two-door coupé produced by the British manufacturer Aston Martin specifically for the 2015 James Bond film Spectre; celebrating their fifty-year partnership with Bond films franchise, which started with the DB5 in the 1964 film Goldfinger.[2][3][4] One of the rarest cars ever created, ten DB10s were manufactured in total – eight were used for Spectre filming, along with two show cars.[4][1][5] The DB10 also served another purpose, previewing the new styling direction that would influence future Aston Martin models; in particular, the DB11 of 2016 and the all-new V8 Vantage revealed in November 2017.[6]
James Bond's DB10[]
Developed by the British Secret Intelligence Service's (SIS/MI6) research and development division, Q-Branch, the Aston Martin DB10 is a £3 million prototype vehicle armed with a variety of high-tech countermeasures. In Spectre, Bond is first introduced to the car (registration: DB10 AGB) by the quartermaster, who explains that it is totally bulletproof and has a 'few little tricks up its sleeve'. The vehicle was originally intended for 007's use but was reassigned to 009, following Bond's unsanctioned mission in Mexico much to the spy's disappointment. However, Q gives 007 a gadget watch despite not allowing him to drive the car. The following morning, Bond steals the car from Q's workshop and travels to Rome with it in pursuit of the shadowy organization, SPECTRE. Later, chased by assassin Mr. Hinx in a Jaguar C-X75, Bond discovers that the DB10's rear machine gun had not been loaded with ammunition, and that pressing one of the buttons plays music. However, 007 is able to blast his pursuer with rear-facing flamethrowers concealed in the vehicle's exhaust pipes. In the chaos, 007 escapes by using the DB10's automated ejector seat and parachute. The car is subsequently destroyed after crashing and sinking in the Tiber river; much to Q's frustration.
Behind the Scenes[]
Director Sam Mendes unveils the DB10, introducing it as "the first cast member."
Its development a closely-guarded secret, Aston Martin CEO, Dr. Andy Palmer, explained that the DB10 started life as a concept sketch for the next V8 Vantage, but was built as its own model when Aston was approached to make a new James Bond car for Spectre, the 24th James Bond film from EON Productions.[7] The DB10 design was led by Aston Martin's chief creative officer Marek Reichman and was engineered and handcrafted by a dedicated team at Aston Martin’s Gaydon Headquarters in the UK.[8][9][10] The car's chassis is based on a modified version of the VH Platform that underpins the 2005 V8 Vantage and features the company's 6-speed manual transmission unit that is used on their V8-engined cars.[11]. However, the DB10 has a longer wheelbase and is nearly as wide as the One-77. It is powered by the Vantage's 4.7-litre V8 engine[12] which develops around 500 bhp and is capable of reaching speeds of up to 190 mph.[1]
The car was unveiled by Sam Mendes and Barbara Broccoli, the director, and producer of Spectre, as part of the official press launch of the film on the 007 Stage at Pinewood Studios, near London, on 4 December 2014.[6] Signifying its prominence in the film, Mendes introduced the car as "the first cast member."[8] Shortly after the unveiling ceremony in Pinewood Studios, Aston Martin also took part in the launch of the Bond in Motion exhibition at the London Film Museum in Covent Garden, London. On 19 February 2016, one of the two "show cars" was sold at auction for £2.4 million[13] with proceeds from the sale going to Medecins sans frontieres and The United Nations Mine Action Service.[1] Prior to the sale, both Aston Martin and auction-house Christie’s stressed the DB10 is a ‘collector’s item’ and a car ‘built to be capable of specific uses by trained drivers in a controlled environment for filming’. It is ‘not homologated, certified or approved for use on any public roads and has not undergone the testing processes used for production cars’.[1]
Gadgets[]
EON Productions[]
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Flamethrowers — The DB10 has two very powerful twin Flamethrowers mounted in the exhausts, they are also extremely effective when used. They are activated by pushing the EXHAUST switch. |
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Rear machine gun — There is also a rear mounted double barrel machine gun hidden behind the Aston Martin badge. When in use the badge slides down and the machine gun extends from behind it. |
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HUD — Working in conjunction with the rear machine gun, the heads up display appears as a digital image on the rear view mirror. It allows the rear machine gun to lock onto a target behind the car if being pursued. |
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AIR — This is used in conjunction with the driver ejector seat. Before ejecting this switch is initiated first as it jettisons the roof to then allow the driver to eject. |
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Driver ejector seat — The DB10 also includes an ejector seat with parachute, after initiating the AIR switch first the trigger concealed beneath the flip-cap on the gear-stick can be used. When pressed the driver seat is jettisoned along with its occupant; and the driver can then parachute to safety. |
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Phone holder — Inside the car is a built-in phone holder; and when in use the phone itself is able to display information directly to Bond straight from Moneypenny. Its main purpose is for receiving intelligence from MI6. |
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Reinforced chassis — The cars entire body and windows have been reinforced to withstand impact damage from conventional firearms. The windshield and rear windscreen are also bullet-proof. Bullets don't even mark the body, leaving no trace of any damage. |
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Atmosphere — The car has a built-in music selection specifically intended for 009 to listen to, much to Bond's annoyance. |
Dynamite Entertainment[]
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Rear machine guns — In the comic arc Black Box (2017), a pair of ports were built into the top of the DB10's rear bumper; from which two adjustable .50 calibre heavy machine guns emerged. |
Trivia[]
- The DB10 is the first Aston Martin to be designed from the ground up specifically for the James Bond franchise
- It is the first Aston Martin, since Die Another Day's V12 Vanquish, to have hi-tech gadgets and weapons (though not all of them were loaded yet).
- The car also appears in the comics Black Box and in the James Bond's DLC of the video game Forza Horizon 4 : Best of Bond Car.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Oliver McAteer (20 February 2016). James Bond’s DB10 Aston Martin sold for £2.4M – but the owner can’t drive it. Metro. Retrieved on 16 December 2017.
- ↑ Gabriella Griffith (5 December 2014). James Bond’s Aston Martin DB10 causes a Spectre-cal at London Film Museum's new exhibition launch. CITY A.M.. City A.M..
- ↑ Corinne Tuddenham-Trett. Aston Martin ‘In Motion’ Event … Aston Martin Celebrates 50 Years Of Bond. Frost Magazine.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 New Aston Martin DB10 is James Bond's new car for 2015 Spectre film. Aston Martin. Retrieved on 16 December 2017.
- ↑ James Bond's "Spectre": 10 Aston Martin DB10 Facts You Need to Know. Motor Trend (4 December 2015). Retrieved on 4 December 2015.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Built for Bond: Aston Martin Debuts Unique Car for Spectre. Aston Martin (4 December 2014). Retrieved on 4 December 2014.
- ↑ Chris Perkins (12 September 2017). Aston Martin CEO: Next Vantage Is "Most Beautiful Car" of My Career. Road & Track. Retrieved on 16 December 2017.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 CJ Hubbard (4 December 2014). Aston Martin DB10 revealed as star of new Bond film. Car. Bauer Media.
- ↑ Mark Tisshaw (4 December 2014). New Aston Martin DB10 is James Bond's new car for 2015 Spectre film. Autocar. Haymarket Consumer Media. Retrieved on 4 December 2014.
- ↑ Condliffe, Jamie (4 December 2014). The Next James Bond Movie is Called Spectre and is Out 2015. Gizmodo. Retrieved on 4 December 2014.
- ↑ James Bond' s Aston Martin DB10 will have a stick. Road & Track. Hearst Communications (5 December 2014).
- ↑ Sam Philip (15 December 2014). Bond’s Aston DB10: the real story. Top Gear. BBC Worldwide Ltd..
- ↑ "James Bond Aston Martin DB10 Spectre car sold for £2.4m", BBC, 2016-02-19. Retrieved on 2016-02-19.