
The all-new Range Rover Sport revealed by Daniel Craig (w/VIDEO)
It seems ironic that we’re applauding a new ‘lightweight’ Range Rover Sport – a whopping 420kg lighter than its predecessor – which still weighs…
It seems ironic that we’re applauding a new ‘lightweight’ Range Rover Sport – a whopping 420kg lighter than its predecessor – which still weighs…
Last month we featured an Infographic showing the Best of the Bond vehicle gadgets, featuring twelve of the film’s most clever cars. This time we’ve got a real test of your Bond-car knowledge with twenty-four of the wild, weird and wacky that have made an appearance since Doctor No. first appeared in 1962.
With the 23rd Bond film, Skyfall, due for release in the UK on 26th October, we thought it would be fun to share an infographic which explores the history of Bond cars and their vehicle-related gadgets.
Compared to ‘Casino Royale’ and ‘Quantum of Solace’, which bombarded us with images of Aston’s new (at the time) V12-engine DBS, the latest Bond film, ‘SkyFall’, seems much less of a car-fest for enthusiasts. Aston Martin’s 1964 DB5 is back, bearing the original number plate, BMT 216A, as used in the 007 classic, Goldfinger. But the DB5 looks like being the only Aston making an appearance this time, albeit as Bond’s personal set of wheels.
The BMW brand has been synonymous with films ever since the groundbreaking ‘The Hire’ film series of 2001 and 2002, which ignored convention and created the phenomenon now known as online films. Eight short films by critically acclaimed Hollywood directors, were viewed by more than 100 million people and set a benchmark that remains just as untouchable almost a decade later.
Earlier this year if you remember, Finland’s four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen drove a Bentley Continental Supersports convertible at 205.48 mph on the frozen Baltic Sea, off the coast of Finland. Another day in the office you might say, for someone who’s lived on the edge of mortal danger throughout most of his career.
As the 81st Geneva Motor Show gets underway, Bentley announces today its most potent and radically styled convertible ever – the 202mph (325km/h) Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record’ convertible.
Just a fortnight ago four-time World Rally Champion Juha Kankkunen, set a new World Ice Speed Record in a Bentley Continental Supersports convertible on the hazardous frozen waters of the Baltic Sea, off the coast of Finland. He reached a breathtaking 205.48 mph (330.695 km/h) in the Conti Supersports, breaking his own 2007 record of 199.83 mph (321.6 km/h) set in a Continental GT coupe at the same location.
It says a lot about Bentley as a brand that in the space of 7 days we’ve been talking about their association with the new James Bond novel, Carte Blanche, then just a few days later their achievement in setting a new World Ice Speed Record. How many car companies can you say that about?
We’ve been waiting an age for the next Bond Film #23, which had been delayed as MGM Studios sorted out their finances following several box office flops and the general market slump in DVD sales. Thankfully MGM and EON Productions were able to confirm the film’s go-ahead last month, with a release date in November 2012.
Who can resist peeking at the cover story for the all-new Lotus Magazine as the team seek to recreate the smouldering tension of the movie, “Basic Instinct”, complete with a prototype 2013 edition of the Lotus Elise.
After more than a decade of Elise-based production it’s easy to forget that Lotus was once known as a supercar maker, rather than purveyors of light-weight track-ready sports cars. Whilst many of us hold reservations about Lotus’ New Era strategy, one point that cannot be argued against is that they needed a change of strategy.
[INTERVIEW] Shaken & Stirred: James Bond composer David Arnold