Our bond to cars
How do the various transport options of Mr Bond rank over the years?
A recent study has identified the fastest cars ever driven by James Bond, with the Aston Martin DBS V12 crowned the ultimate speed champion.
The research, conducted by UK car dealership Beck Evans, evaluated top speeds and acceleration times (0-60 mph) to calculate a speed score out of 100.
Over 150 iconic Bond cars were analysed and ranked based on these performance metrics.
Shaken not stirred
Topping the list is Daniel Craig’s early Bond car, the 2007 Aston Martin DBS V12 which first appeared in Casino Royale and later Quantum of Solace.
Capable of reaching top speeds of 189 mph and an acceleration of 0-60 mph in just 4.4 seconds, this sleek and ferocious car was awarded a speed score of 98.48 out of 100.
Dubbed “The Vanish” due to its advanced cloaking technology, the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish was a standout star of Die Another Day and ranks second fastest.
While its gadgets were impressive, its raw power was on full display in a spectacular ice chase. Showcasing its top speeds of 192 mph and acceleration of 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds, it has earned a speed score of 98.29 out of 100.
Ranking third is the Aston Martin DB10. Designed exclusively for Spectre, the one-of-a-kind car reaches top speeds of 193 mph and can accelerate 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds, giving it a speed score of 97.25 out of 100.
Taking advantage
With a score of 87.91 out of 100, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage ranked fourth fastest.
Timothy Dalton’s Bond car in The Living Daylights was equipped with missiles, lasers, and rocket propulsion while boasting top speeds of 170 mph and 0-60 mph acceleration in 6.1 seconds.
Up next is the BMW Z8, scoring 84.89 out of 100.
The sleek Z8 was a perfect match for Pierce Brosnan’s suave Bond in The World Is Not Enough. Before being sliced in half by a helicopter, the car displayed its fast acceleration of 0-60 mph in just 5 seconds and speeds of up to 158 mph.
In sixth place, scoring 84.2 out of 100 is the BMW 750iL. While not a traditional sports car, its top speeds of 165 mph and acceleration of 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds earn it a spot on the list, and it could be driven via Bond’s mobile phone.
Calm and collected
Though primarily a chauffeur car for M and Bond in Skyfall, the Jaguar XJ (X351) LWB is the seventh fastest bond car.
Capable of reaching speeds of 155 mph and accelerating from 0-60 mph in 5 seconds, the car achieves a speed score of 83.88 out of 100.
The most iconic of ll the cars is the Aston Martin DB5, which has managed to resurface in various bond films over the years to popular acclaim.
Here it ranks eighth with a score of 75.31 out of 100.
Reaching top speeds of 145 mph and an acceleration from 0-60 mph in 7.8 seconds, the DB5 isn’t the fastest car on this list but is surely the Bond car.
It debuted in Goldfinger, it has since become Bond’s signature ride.
Diving in
The Lotus Esprit stole the show in The Spy Who Loved Me, famously transforming into a submarine during an underwater escape.
While it’s not advised to try similar stunts at home, the Turbo 2.2 version returned in For Your Eyes Only, ranking ninth fastest for its improved speed reaching 138 mph and 0-60 mph acceleration in 7 seconds, awarding a score of 73.57 out of 100.
Rounding out the top ten fastest Bond cars is the Aston Martin DBS with a speed score of 73.47 out of 100.
Featured in George Lazenby’s only outing as Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, it is also the only time Bond has married and it washis wedding car too.
The DBS can speed up to 142 mph and accelerate from 0-60 mph in 8 seconds.
Fast and furious
The top ten fastest James Bond cars
Rank | Vehicle Name | Movie | Speed Score /100 |
1 | Aston Martin DBS V12 | Casino Royale | 98.48 |
2 | Aston Martin V12 Vanquish | Die Another Day | 98.29 |
3 | Aston Martin DB10 | Spectre | 97.25 |
4 | Aston Martin V8 Vantage | The Living Daylights | 87.91 |
5 | BMW Z8 | The World Is Not Enough | 84.89 |
6 | BMW 750iL | Tomorrow Never Dies | 84.20 |
7 | Jaguar XJ (X351) LWB | Skyfall | 83.88 |
8 | Aston Martin DB5 | Goldfinger | 75.31 |
9 | Lotus Esprit Turbo 2.2 | For Your Eyes Only | 73.57 |
10 | Aston Martin DBS | On Her Majesty’s Secret Service | 73.47 |
Commenting on the findings, Sam Evans, Director of Beck Evans, said: “James Bond cars have become as iconic as the man himself. These vehicles are more than just modes of transport – they are cultural symbols that embody everything we associate with Bond: suave elegance, high-tech innovation, and a flair for the dramatic.
“While most of us will never experience the adrenaline of driving these cars at Bond’s breakneck speeds, their allure remains undeniable. These cars invite us to obsess over their beauty, performance, and enduring legacy that car enthusiasts and Bond fans alike can admire for years to come.”