Aside from cool gadgets and action-packed scenes, one thing the James Bond franchise is synonymous with is cars—the coolest, fastest, and most stylish kind. Perhaps one of the most iconic 007 cars is the Aston Martin DB5, the first of five Aston Martin models to be featured in the films, AKA the one that started the love affair between the two brands.
To commemorate the partnership, Aston Martin, The Little Car Company, and EON Productions have launched a special Aston Martin DB5 Junior No Time To Die edition ahead of the 25th Bond film’s release. The collaboration features a two-thirds scale version of the original DB5 and comes with a fully electric powertrain and Bond-approved spy gadgets.
Paying homage to the history of both Aston Martin and 007 brands, the No Time To Die edition is defined by silver birch paintwork, Smiths instruments, individually numbered chassis plates, and Aston Martin emblems. It took months of collaboration to develop, following a 3D-scanned model of the original car to ensure a completely accurate replica. The main difference, besides its size, is its convertible character so as to accommodate an adult and child side by side.
The Little Car Company consulted with Oscar®-winning special effects supervisor Chris Corbould OBE, who has worked on fifteen James Bond films, to develop the car’s state-of-the-art gadgets in miniature. These gadgets are operated by individual controls in a hidden switch panel in the passenger door. At the push of a button, the headlights lower to reveal a pair of simulated Gatling guns producing imitation barrel blasts and flashes.
Like the film version, the special edition DB5 Junior can also release a smokescreen to aid a quick escape. The smoke is stored in a supply tank and ejected through the rear tailpipes, providing one hour of fun before requiring a reload.
Although it’s not road-legal, the DB5 Junior comes with Easter Eggs within the car for lucky owners to discover, plus automatic membership into the Aston Martin Owners Club. On top of that, buyers will receive complimentary membership of The Little Car Club, allowing them and their children to participate in exclusive events to drive their DB5 Juniors on the most prestigious racetracks.
Only 125 units of the No Time To Die edition will be built, making it a covetable collector’s item for Bond fans. Existing Aston Martin DB5 Junior clients will be given first refusal, while remaining build slots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information or to register your interest, visit thelittlecar.co.
While we’re on the topic, here’s a look at all the 007 films the Aston Martin DB5 has made an appearance in, with all their gadget-laden features.
Goldfinger (1964)
The Aston Martin DB5—or rather, a prototype of it—made its first appearance in Goldfinger as James Bond’s (Sean Connery) getaway car of choice. It boasted the signature revolving license plate and a caltrop-dropping gadget located behind the rear light cluster, which was mounted into the prototype model in just over six weeks. There were two other features seen in the film that weren’t actually installed in the vehicle, namely the wheel-destroying blades and the ejector seat.
Thunderball (1965)
Given its instant shot to fame, the DB5 returned in the sequel to Goldfinger. This time, it was equipped with two rear-facing water cannons to aid Bond’s escape from Bouvar’s château. The effect was achieved using two fire hoses mounted under the vehicle, which are actually noticeable in some scenes in the film.
GoldenEye (1995)
After three decades of absence, the Aston Martin DB5 made a return during the Pierce Brosnan era, starting with GoldenEye in 1995. It featured a radio that doubled as a printer and tripled as a communication device, alongside a champagne cooler hidden under the centre armrest. The number plate was also changed to BMT 214A.
Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
The BMT 214A made a brief reappearance in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) where the 007 agent is portrayed riding through London en route to a briefing. It was set to make a cameo at Castle Thane in The World Is Not Enough (1999) as well, but the scene didn’t make the cut in the editing room.
Casino Royale (2006)
In Casino Royale, Bond (now played by Daniel Craig) was not the original owner of the DB5 in the film. Instead, he won it from Alex Dimitrios, a government contractor and associate of Quantum financier Le Chiffre, through a poker game at the Bahamas One & Only Club. It featured Bahamian number plates and a left-hand drive as opposed to the usual British right-hand drive versions.
Skyfall (2012)
Fans of the classic gadget-loaded DB5 were given a treat in Skyfall, in a scene where Bond swoops in to protect M from the vengeful ex-M16 cyber-terrorist Raoul Silva. Bond drives her to Skyfall Lodge, his ancestral home, and it was shot in Scotland in a way that appeared “as if it could have taken place in 1962”. Sadly, the car was utterly destroyed by heavy machine gun fire at the end of the film.
Spectre (2015)
All wasn’t lost with the DB5, however, as Q attempted and successfully restored the iconic car from the wreckage in Spectre. Although it’s the DB10 that gets the spotlight in the film’s car chase scenes, the DB5 earns the approval of Bond’s new flame, Madeleine Swann, as they drive around London in the reconstructed vehicle.
No Time To Die (2021)
While we await eagerly for the film to debut in cinemas, the trailer for No Time To Die offers a few ideas of how we might see the DB5 in action. Returning with a new license plate reading “A 4269 00”, the car appears to be equipped with twin M134 Miniguns behind each of its headlamps. What’s more, it is set to be involved in arguably the biggest action scene of the car since Goldfinger!
No Time To Die will be released in Malaysian cinemas on November 25, 2021.
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