The average value of an Aston Martin DB5 that was sold at auction over the preceding six years is approximately $1,400,000. Like James Bond’s new Omega Seamaster Professional 300M watch, it’s been hard to avoid seeing either item online, once the marketing efforts for No Time To Die kicked off in full swing not long ago. The original Bond DB5 sold for $6,385,000 last year, so it’s no surprise that those used for filming of the upcoming motion picture are replicas. Adrenaline-fueled chase scenes punctuated by perfectly executed drifts and threading the needle (sometimes with a bit of collateral damage) through traffic are one of many reasons why society has demonstrated an insatiable appetite for Bond films over the past half century. This is no place for an actual AM DB5 though, just 1,059 of which were produced from 1963–1965, all of which wear bodywork by Italian design house Touring.
In a recent video posted to the Carfection YouTube channel, Henry Catchpole (formerly of Evo) is given the chance to drive not only the original Bond DB5, but also a few of the exquisite replicas built specifically for modern Bond films. As you might expect, these replicas are purpose-built, and share little aside from looks with the original DB5, which bears the British number plate BMT 216A. One such replica (perhaps the highest performing of the bunch) rides atop a ladder frame chassis, and uses lightweight carbon-fiber bodywork for a curb weight of around 2,200 pounds. According to BMWBlog, the car also makes use of Ohlins dampers and features a roll cage.
The best part, however, is the engine. While the DB5 originally used a twelve-valve 4.0-liter straight-six fed by triple SU carbs, the stunt car replica made for No Time To Die runs the absolute best modern equivalent; a naturally aspirated BMW inline-six. The next Bond film won’t hit U.S. theaters until late November (here’s the trailer), but in the mean time, you can spend approximately fourteen minutes learning about the star car, and it’s BMW-powered stunt double in the video below. Adjust your speakers or headphones accordingly, and prepare yourself for an aural experience only a BMW M engine can provide. Which BMW engine do you think they used? In our opinion, there’s no mistaking the high-strung buzzsaw shriek of an S54 at full tilt.—Alex Tock
[Photos courtesy MGM.]
