Post-SKYFALL: The DB5 in Craig's Films

FieldsMan wrote:

By the way, are we all talking about the same franchise that has never really taken continuity seriously over the last fifty years?

Strewth, are we?

I have a feeling the car will show up again in the franchise. Perhaps not in Craig's era anymore, though.

It's a classic. When you think Bond films, the DB5 is something that comes to mind immediately.

I know, but I'd rather the new films establish their own iconography instead of leeching off the past.

Largo's Shark wrote:

I know, but I'd rather the new films establish their own iconography instead of leeching off the past.

Yes and yes.

I'm hard-pressed to think of what a suitable replacement for the DB5 would be. Especially if it is to establish a new iconography.

The only car I can think of is the Bentley Continntal GT. But Bentley's image has always been the kind of car that you get driven around in, rather than driving yourself.

There's always the new Jaguar F-Type - provided it was the coupe and not the convertible variant - but the styling is very similar to the current range of Aston Martins. That said, it would be consistent with MI6 using other Jaguars and would present MI6 as being a professional organsation.

Or there's the McLaren MP4-12C (which is a mouthful to pronounce), which is kind of like a Ferrari, but with the excessive Italian flamboyance surgically removed and replaced with British conversatism. It's a bit of a midlife-crisis car, too.

McLaren would be an interesting choice - uncharted territory for Bond. That said, the MP4 looks a bit too feminine.

Prisoner Monkeys wrote:

Bentley Continntal GT

I'd be happy with this.

Largo's Shark wrote:

McLaren would be an interesting choice - uncharted territory for Bond. That said, the MP4 looks a bit too feminine.

They do have a new car coming out in the McLaren P1, but I think it's a bit too flamboyant for Bond. Their headquarters, the McLaren Technology Centre, might make for a good location for filming, though.

I, personally, like the next generation of the Porsche Panamera. I'm a big fan of German cars, primarily because of their engineering. I've never been a fan of flamboyance, either - which is why I find most Ferraris and Lamborghinis to be vulgar - and so I think cars like the Panamera are quite subtle in their looks. It would be an ideal choice for Bond, because it would combine the performance when needed with the ability to blend in a little.

CJB wrote:

Prisoner Monkeys wrote:

Bentley Continntal GT

I'd be happy with this.

"Top Gear" - love it or hate it - reckon that the newest version, the GT Speed, finally does what Bentley have been trying to do since introducing the Continental GT models, and shake off the image of being an "old money" car, and instead create a driver's car.

Yup. It's a fine looking machine and Bentley is a British and quintessentially Bondian brand. No one wants to see Bond behind the wheel of a Kraut sedan again!

(Though I have to admit the 750il was my favourite Bond car as a young'un :oops: )

Largo's Shark wrote:

I know, but I'd rather the new films establish their own iconography instead of leeching off the past.

"Sometimes, the old ways are the best..."

CJB wrote:

Yup. It's a fine looking machine and Bentley is a British and quintessentially Bondian brand. No one wants to see Bond behind the wheel of a Kraut sedan again!

(Though I have to admit the 750il was my favourite Bond car as a young'un :oops: )

Yep, the BMWs were a low point ... 2 hairdresser's convertibles and an executive saloon (which is still the least 'offensive' of the three for Bond to be seen in, in fairness).

McLaren strikes me as more Bruce Wayne's car than Bond's.

"Not too subtle."

Prisoner Monkeys wrote:

"Top Gear" - love it or hate it - reckon that the newest version, the GT Speed, finally does what Bentley have been trying to do since introducing the Continental GT models, and shake off the image of being an "old money" car, and instead create a driver's car.

Hmmm.... lovely choice.









Apologies if this is coming off like car porn, but I can't help it.

No apologies necessary.

Blunt Instrument wrote:

CJB wrote:

Yup. It's a fine looking machine and Bentley is a British and quintessentially Bondian brand. No one wants to see Bond behind the wheel of a Kraut sedan again!

(Though I have to admit the 750il was my favourite Bond car as a young'un :oops: )

Yep, the BMWs were a low point ... 2 hairdresser's convertibles and an executive saloon (which is still the least 'offensive' of the three for Bond to be seen in, in fairness).

I was more annoyed at the obvious shoehorning of the new gadget filled car in the Brosnan films than the choice of car. It's clear the BMW's in GE and TWINE didn't need the lengthy Q briefings scripted for them. One of the nicer touches of the Craig era is the removal of these without canning the glitzy cars.

I actually like how Bond has a car with gadgets, but isn't required to actually use it in a mission. Ever since Goldfinger, as much as I like the cars with gadgets, they've always conveniently included gadgets that will be used. It was refreshing in GE that he had them, for it was standard equipment apparently, and there if he needed it.

I dunno, seemed kinda naff to have Q giddily describing all the weaponry aboard the Z3 only to have the car appear an hour-and-a-half later doing absolutely nothing special for five seconds. They should've cut the car bit from the Q Lab scene as it served no purpose.

Largo's Shark wrote:

Question: should the Bentley Continental GT Speed come equipped with gadgets? And if so, what gadgets should it have?

I, personally, would hate to see it weighed down with cartoonish gadgets that only really serve one purpose. I think it would ruin a big part of the car's appeal, but at the same time, I don't think that should mean the car should have no gadgets.

Here's a few idea on what the car could include:

1) A sensible, practical form of "invisibility". Instead of having the silly DIE ANOTHER DAY cloaking device, the car could come equipped with some kind of system under the bodywork that, when activated, changes the colour of the car. So while Bond could be driving around in a gunmetal grey Bentley to start with, he could avoid his pursuers by pulling over and pressing a button, which causes the car to change to British racing green (or some other colour). The process would take several minutes, and could only be done once. Combined with a revolving licence plate, he could then drive back out of his hiding place and past his pursuers, who would not know the distance. This effectiveness of such a device would hinge on how well it is explained within the film.

2) What I like to call "heat stealth", where liquid nitrogen is pumped around the engine bay in a series of insulated pipes. This would have the effect of lowering the car's internal temperature and masking its heat signature, allowing Bond to avoid heat-seeking missiles or thermal imaging systems. It could also be used as an effective self-destruct system, spraying the liquid nitrogen into the engine to disable it.

3) A reinforced body with hydraulically-powered bolts in the doors that lock in place in the bodywork, much like a safe. The car would be disabled while the lock system is active. This would turn the Bentley into a mobile prison cell.

4) An on-board GPS system that allows Bond access to an overheard spy satellite.

Quote :

3) A reinforced body with hydraulically-powered bolts in the doors that lock in place in the bodywork, much like a safe. The car would be disabled while the lock system is active. This would turn the Bentley into a mobile prison cell.

I like this option the most. Feels fresh.

BTW, come and join the Oscar banter.

Largo's Shark wrote:

I like this option the most. Feels fresh.

I'm trying to think of as many as I can. I don't have any more at the moment, but I'll add them if and when I think of them.

Largo's Shark wrote:

BTW, come and join the Oscar banter.

Nah, I haven't been following it this year. I don't even know who as been nominated for what.

Should be noted that Bond had a Continental GT in Carte Blanche. It was the only good piece of "modernisation" that Deaver brought to the character.