The 10 Best James Bond Cars, Ranked

James Bond cars mix real world engineering with cinematic gadgetry that helps the story move fast and look sharp. Across decades of films, the production teams have used custom builds, hidden mechanisms, and clever stunt design to turn road cars into screen ready machines that can fire projectiles, disappear from sight, or even travel underwater.

This countdown focuses on vehicles actually used by Bond on screen and highlights what each car did in its featured missions. You will find details on the gadgets fitted for filming, the stunt work each model enabled, and the technical foundations that made these machines suitable for high speed chases, precision driving, and practical effects.

10. BMW Z3

The BMW Z3 appears in ‘GoldenEye’ as the first car from the marque issued to Bond by Q Branch. The roadster on screen is fitted with stinger missiles hidden behind bodywork, a radar system integrated into the dash, and emergency features demonstrated in the lab scene even though the story keeps those systems mostly holstered.

For filming, production used early build Z3s supplied ahead of market release to maximize product tie in timing. The car’s compact proportions and light curb weight made it easy to stage quick direction changes, and the cockpit had room for concealed control panels used by the effects team during shots.

9. Toyota 2000GT

The Toyota 2000GT in ‘You Only Live Twice’ was converted to an open top configuration so interior close ups could be captured cleanly with the lead actor seated at speed. Only two roadster style cars were built for the production, and they were engineered with additional bracing to maintain body rigidity after the roof removal.

The screen car carried two way communications equipment and a rear mounted gadget suite that included a smoke system routed through discreet outlets. The base 2000GT platform brought a high revving straight six, a five speed manual gearbox, and disc brakes at all four corners, which supported smooth stunt driving and reliable stopping during repeated takes.

8. BMW 750iL

Bond pilots the BMW 750iL in ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ from the back seat using a modified Ericsson phone that streams a live camera view and tilt controls. The vehicle in the film features bullet resistant glass, an electrified security system built into the exterior handles, tire shredders, tear gas, and deployable caltrops.

Multiple 7 Series sedans were prepared for different gags including a rig with additional steering hardware to allow a stunt driver to operate the car from a concealed position. The long wheelbase chassis, advanced traction systems for its time, and spacious trunk made it practical to hide pyrotechnic gear and reinforcement plates required for the parking garage sequence.

7. BMW Z8

In ‘The World Is Not Enough’ the BMW Z8 carries side mounted missiles that extend through the front fender vents and a secure satellite link antenna integrated into the body. The car’s aluminum construction and limited production status gave the prop department a lightweight shell to modify without heavy structural penalties.

The team built dedicated missile firing mockups and a separate hero car for beauty shots. A special effects rig handled the dramatic finale where a helicopter equipped with cutting blades slices the car, which was executed with a breakaway body and internal guides to ensure a clean and repeatable practical effect.

6. Aston Martin Vanquish

The Aston Martin Vanquish in ‘Die Another Day’ is fitted with adaptive camouflage that uses cameras and surface display panels to blend the car with its surroundings. The on screen build also includes forward firing projectiles and concealed machine guns that deploy through the grille along with thermal imaging inside the cockpit.

Stunt cars were prepared with reinforced suspensions for ice driving and were set up to handle sudden grip changes on frozen surfaces. The production combined full scale practical shots with motion control passes to composite the cloaking effect, and several Vanquish bodies were mounted on custom frames to accommodate chase rig hardware.

5. Aston Martin DB10

Created exclusively for ‘Spectre’, the Aston Martin DB10 was produced in a run of ten cars that included hero, stunt, and effects units. The design sits on an Aston Martin V8 architecture with a front mounted engine and rear drive layout that allowed the team to fit cages, hydraulic handbrakes, and additional cooling for repeated high load driving.

The film car carries a rear flame system, a console operated ejection seat, and a retractable instrument panel that reveals the control array. Night shoots along the river required uprated lighting and modified exhaust routing, and the narrow streets demanded precise steering geometry so the car could slide predictably without contacting historic walls or railings.

4. Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Bond uses the Aston Martin V8 Vantage in ‘The Living Daylights’ and later retrieves the same model in ‘No Time To Die’. The original screen version packs a full Q Branch loadout that includes missiles hidden behind pop out panels, laser cutters, a rear rocket booster, extendable outriggers, ski attachments, and a self destruct system.

For the snow chase, the crew fitted studded tires and concealed mounting points for ski hardware that could be bolted on between takes. The engine bay carried auxiliary power connections for effects, while the interior retained stock switchgear alongside dummy toggles that were wired to off camera control modules.

3. Aston Martin DBS

The Aston Martin DBS serves as Bond’s primary car in ‘Casino Royale’ and returns in ‘Quantum of Solace’. The vehicle on screen is largely free of Q gadgets and is used for high speed pursuit and dramatic stunt work, including an emergency maneuver that leads to a record setting multiple roll sequence achieved with a cannon rig.

Production DBS units had safety cages, racing seats, and remote shutoff systems to protect drivers during extreme shots. The V12 powertrain and rigid chassis gave the stunt team a predictable platform for Scandinavian flick entries and threshold braking, which kept the action grounded in practical driving captured at speed.

2. Lotus Esprit S1

The Lotus Esprit S1 in ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ transforms into a submersible with deployable fins, ballast tanks, and a periscope. Underwater shots use a dedicated aquatic vehicle nicknamed Wet Nellie that was built by a marine engineering firm and operated by divers, while road scenes use standard Esprit coupes with hidden controls for smoke and defense systems.

Return appearances include an Esprit Turbo in ‘For Your Eyes Only’ that features an anti theft device triggered during a break in attempt. The Esprit’s wedge shape and mid engine layout allowed neat packaging of special effects hardware, and the fiberglass body made it straightforward to cut openings for torpedo ports and other concealed panels.

1. Aston Martin DB5

The Aston Martin DB5 debuts for Bond in ‘Goldfinger’ with a full suite of Q Branch equipment that includes rotating number plates, an ejector seat, machine guns behind the front indicators, a rear smoke screen, an oil slick dispenser, and extendable tire shredders. Subsequent films such as ‘Thunderball’, ‘GoldenEye’, ‘Skyfall’, ‘Spectre’, and ‘No Time To Die’ continue to feature the model in action and in storage at MI6 and in personal garages.

Film cars have varied between original DB5s, detailed replicas, and modern builds with updated brakes and engines to survive repeated stunt use. Effects teams have created destructible panels, quick change license assemblies, and motion controlled gun ports, while sound departments record period correct exhaust notes and synchronize them with practical gunfire for seamless on screen results.

Tell us which Bond car you would add to this list in the comments.