Your new electric car, Mr Bond: The electric cars perfect for 007
Following the release of No Time to Die, EV Powered played the role of Q to see which electric cars would help James Bond get the job done.
Over the years, Q Branch has kitted Mr Bond out with a range of stunning vehicles, with a lineup consisting of Aston Martin’s, Rolls Royce’s and of course, the infamous Ford Mondeo from Casino Royale.
However, times have changed and 007 must now be thinking of his carbon footprint, as well as his license to kill.
For this feature, EV Powered has pulled together a list of electric vehicles which would suit James Bond and tend to his every need as MI6’s top secret agent.
Aston Martin Rapide
Aston Martin has long been the manufacturer of choice for James Bond. The fully electric Rapide E Saloon was revealed in 2015 and was scheduled for production in 2017, but production plans were halted last year due to the manufacturer’s financial struggles. However, this British-EV would almost certainly have featured in No Time to Die had it made it to production.
Rolls Royce Phantom by Lunaz Design
There is a certain criteria for a classic Bond car. They must ooze cool and elegance, and nothing symbolizes that more than Lunaz Design’s electric conversion of the Rolls Royce Phantom.
This particular model dates back to 1961 but with its fully electric powertrain, it has been catapulted into the modern day with its 120kWh battery pack which boasts a range of 300 miles. There’s also the option for rapid charging, and with a starting price of £350,000, it certainly has the glitz and the glamour for 007.
An original electric vehicle from Rolls Royce could also be on the cards for the next Bond film, too. The manufacturer recently announced that its first-ever electric car, aptly named the Rolls Royce Spectre, will be released in 2023. So, we may well be seeing the next James Bond behind the wheel of the very first Rolls Royce EV…
Lotus Evija
The Lotus Evija, the first electric hypercar from the Norfolk-based brand, is the perfect homage to the classic Espirit diving car featured in The Spy Who Loved Me.
With a top speed of more than 200mph and with 1,970bhp, the Evija is perfect for those high-speed chase sequences that are commonplace in every Bond movie. It will also have a range of around 215 miles, so the Evija could be the complete package for Mr Bond.
Whilst a release date for the Evija has to be confirmed, production was scheduled to begin this year. The manufacturer also confirmed it will be moving towards an electric future, with the Lotus Emira, marking the end of Lotus’ ICE vehicles.
Electric Defender by Twisted Automotive
Of course, it isn’t always about looking cool and suave, sometimes Bond needs to roll up his sleeves and an electric Defender is perfect for those tougher times.
The team at Twisted are specialists in converting classic Defenders over to electric with their drivetrain systems which combine a blend of on-road and off-road performance, with a drivetrain that provides 214bhp and 380NM torque.
Whether it be the hills of Glen Etive in Scotland for Skyfall, or the winter landscapes filmed in Austria for Spectre, the power of an electric drivetrain and the reliability of the Defender itself, ensures that the Twisted Defender will be able to tackle even the toughest of terrains.
Jaguar E-Type by Electrogenic
Whilst Aston Martin’s may be recognized as the classic ‘Bond vehicle’, Jaguar has also established itself as the vehicle of choice for many of Bonds’ villains. The Jaguar XKR featured prominently in Die Another Day, and the Jaguar C-X75 Concept was also used in Spectre.
However, this Jaguar E-Type conversion by Elecrtogenic is almost tailor-made for Bond himself. Even though it is fully electric, the team retained the “classic driving” feeling by sticking to the car’s original gearbox. It may be more suited for a Bond of yesteryear, but there is no doubt that this car is definitively Bond.
Rivian R1T EV
When the time inevitably comes for 007 to go off the grid, he needs a car that can cope with whatever life, or whatever bad guy he is dealing with at the time, throws at him.
For an all-purpose electric vehicle that can withstand almost anything, James Bond can seek inspiration from Ewan McGregor and Charlie Borman’s Long Way Up adventure and get behind the wheel of a Rivian R1T EV.
It would be perfect timing for Bond, too. The very first customer-ready Rivian recently rolled off the production line from the company’s factory in Normal, Illinois.
Set for official release in 2022, the R1T boasts an incredible 400-mile range, as well as DC fast charging which will see 140 miles of range recouped in 20 minutes and a 0-60mph speed of 3.0 seconds.
