What electric car would James Bond drive?
James Bond has driven all manner of high-powered sports car through the ages, but what would 007 drive if the choice was electric only?
James Bond – the suave, Martini-swilling British spy – is usually found behind the wheel of an elegant, swooping sports car – think Lotus Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Me, or Aston Martin DB10 in Spectre.
However, what do the vast majority of 007’s cars have in common? Answer: They all use petrol power.
With the real-life car industry moving towards electrification and away from combustion engines, shouldn’t Q Branch start issuing the UK’s top (fictional) secret agent with an electric-powered performance car instead? We’ve picked five electric cars that would look the part in any-high speed car chase with Bond behind the wheel.
Jaguar E-Type Zero
Based on a regular 1968 E-Type, the Zero uses an electric powertrain developing 220kW, allowing it to hit 60mph in under six seconds.
It’s also got all of the charisma required for a Bond car, but remains elegant and understated. Bond has, interestingly, never driven an E-Type before, so this would be its first appearance in the franchise.
Tesla Roadster
Boasting a claimed 0-60mph time of under two seconds, it would be one of the fastest things on the road – far quicker than any baddies on his tail and perfect for pursuing them.
In addition, Tesla claims the Roadster will be able to do 620 miles on a single charge, so cross-continent jaunts shouldn’t be any cause for concern.
Morgan EV3
Though far more compact than most Bond cars, the Morgan is likely to provide as grand an entrance as any Aston Martin.
In addition to a 34.9kW electric motor, the EV3’s low centre of gravity gives it excellent cornering abilities, while the coach-built bodywork gifts it a level of exclusiveness that is needed by any Bond car.
BMW i8
Its gullwing doors, stylish aerodynamics and powerful hybrid powertrain all put it firmly into Bond car territory.
It’ll hit 60mph in under five seconds, only topping out at 155mph – enough performance for any mountain road chase. We could easily see Q Branch fitting rocket launchers at either side, too.
Honda Sports EV
Low-slung and compact, the Sports EV shows what the future of electrified sports cars could look like – and what the future of Bond vehicles could be too.
It would be the first time that a Honda appeared in the films, giving Bond an all-new mode of transport.
