Aston Martin DB10

Aston Martin DB10
Overview
ManufacturerAston Martin Lagonda Limited
Production2014–2015
10 produced
AssemblyGaydon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom
DesignerSam Holgate under Marek Reichman[1]
Body and chassis
ClassGrand Tourer (S)
Body style2-door coupé
LayoutFront mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
PlatformVH Generation II (Modified)
DoorsSwan
RelatedAston Martin Vantage (2005)
Aston Martin Vantage (2018)
Powertrain
Engine4.7 L AM14 V8
Transmission6-speed Graziano manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,705 mm (106 in)
Width2,204 mm (87 in)
Kerb weight1,542 kg (3,400 lb)[2]
Chronology
PredecessorAston Martin DB9
SuccessorAston Martin DB11

The Aston Martin DB10 is a bespoke grand tourer specially developed for the James Bond film Spectre by the British luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin.

Development

The car was unveiled by Sam Mendes and Barbara Broccoli, the director and producer of Spectre respectively, the 24th James Bond film produced by Eon Productions. The unveiling took place as part of the official press launch of the film on the 007 Stage at Pinewood Studios, near London, on 4 December 2014.[3] Mendes introduced the car as "the first cast member."[4]

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. The car manufacturer celebrated their fifty-year partnership with Bond films franchise, which started with the DB5 being used in the 1964 film Goldfinger.[5][6]

The design of the DB10 was led by Aston Martin's chief creative officer Marek Reichman, with the film's director Mendes working closely with the team. Original concept and sketch by Sam Holgate, a 30-year-old man from Foston whose design the DB10 was based upon. Only 10 units were hand-built in-house by the company's design and engineering teams in Gaydon.[4][7][8] Eight of those 10 cars were featured in the movie, and two more were built for promotional purposes.[9] Aston Martin stated that "the DB10 gives a glimpse to the future design direction for the next generation of Aston Martins."[3] It was later revealed that the DB10 was based on the newly introduced V8 Vantage that made its debut in 2017 and had a modified design so that the design of the new Vantage didn't come to public notice while the car was in development.[10]

As of December 2014, Aston Martin had released few of the technical details of the car, the DB10 used the company's 6-speed manual transmission unit that is used on their V8-engined cars.[11] The car's chassis is based on a modified version of the VH Generation II platform that underpins the V8 Vantage. However the DB10 has a longer wheelbase and is nearly as wide as the One-77.[12] It is powered by the same 4.7-litre AM14 V8 engine found in the V8 Vantage S, which has a power output of 436 PS (321 kW; 430 hp) and 490 N⋅m (361 lb⋅ft) of torque. The DB10 can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 310 km/h (193 mph).[13][14]

In the film's plot, it was originally going to be for James Bond but was reassigned to 009 due to the former's unsanctioned mission in Mexico. However, Bond later steals the car in order to travel to Rome to investigate SPECTRE. The car is later destroyed during a chase with Mr. Hinx when Bond decides to sink it into the river. The car is equipped with a rear machine gun on its back which isn't loaded with ammo, flamethrowers that are mostly in the car's exhaust, an ejector seat, as well as a music playlist intended for 009 to listen to much to Bond's annoyance.

On 19 February 2016, one of the two "show cars" was sold at an auction for £2.4 million.[15][16]

In 2018, after the wedding reception of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, the couple used a DB10 with the DB10 AGB number plate to leave the event.

Promotional items

In 2015, diecast car maker Corgi produced 1/36 scale models of the DB10 and offered a limited package with both the DB10 and the DB5.[17] Hot Wheels produced 1/64 scale cars in both their standard line and in their Retro Entertainment line. Scalextric released the C1336 - Spectre set which included the DB10 and Jaguar C-X75. Hot Wheels Elite also produced a detailed 1/18 scale model as a part of their Cult Classics line.[18]

See also

References

  1. ^ Crawford, Anthony (12 November 2015). "Aston Martin DB10: Walk-around with designer, Sam Holgate". Caradvice.com.au. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  2. ^ "Aston Martin DB10 review - Watch us drive James Bond's Spectre car - Page 2 - Driving the Aston Martin DB10". EVO. 26 October 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Built for Bond: Aston Martin Debuts Unique Car for Spectre". Aston Martin. 4 December 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  4. ^ a b CJ Hubbard (4 December 2014). "Aston Martin DB10 revealed as star of new Bond film". Car. Bauer Media.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Corinne Tuddenham-Trett (5 December 2014). "Aston Martin 'In Motion' Event … Aston Martin Celebrates 50 Years Of Bond". Frost Magazine.
  7. ^ Mark Tisshaw (4 December 2014). "New Aston Martin DB10 is James Bond's new car for 2015 Spectre film". Autocar. Haymarket Consumer Media. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  8. ^ Condliffe, Jamie (4 December 2014). "The Next James Bond Movie is Called Spectre and is Out 2015". Gizmodo. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  9. ^ "James Bond's "Spectre": 10 Aston Martin DB10 Facts You Need to Know". Motor Trend. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  10. ^ "James Bond's Aston Martin DB10 was based off [sic] the 2019 Vantage". Motor Authority. 21 November 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  11. ^ "James Bond' s Aston Martin DB10 will have a stick". Road & Track. Hearst Communications. 5 December 2014.
  12. ^ "Aston Martin DB10 review - Watch us drive James Bond's Spectre car". EVO. 26 October 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  13. ^ "2015 Aston Martin DB10". TopCarRating. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  14. ^ Sam Philip (15 December 2014). "Bond's Aston DB10: the real story". Top Gear. BBC Worldwide Ltd. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  15. ^ "James Bond Aston Martin DB10 Spectre car sold for £2.4m". BBC News. BBC. 19 February 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  16. ^ "Aston Martin DB10 raises £2.4 million at charity auction". EVO. 19 February 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  17. ^ "James Bond Aston Martin DB10". Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  18. ^ "Hot Wheels Elite new Aston Martin DB10". Retrieved 5 May 2018.