James Bond’s next car will be the all-electric Aston Martin Rapide E

In the upcoming James Bond movie, Bond will swap out his V8 for the upcoming, limited-edition, all-electric Aston Martin Rapide E, according to a report in British tabloid The Sun.

The decision was apparently pushed for by the film’s new director, Cary Joji Fukunaga, who is apparently quite the “tree-hugger.”

So far, Aston Martin has only confirmed a production run of 155 units for the Rapide E, and first deliveries are scheduled to happen at the end of 2019.  This would beat the film to release – the film is currently scheduled for an April 2020 release, after being pushed back when previous director Danny Boyle left the project to be replaced by Fukunaga.

The Rapide E will have a top speed of 155mph, 0-60 in under 4 seconds, 50-70mph of 1.5 seconds, and have over 200 miles of WLTP range from a 65kWh battery.  Two rear motors will produce about 600 horsepower and 950Nm of torque.  It will be capable of a 100kW or higher charge rate using an 800V battery system, and will sell for around £250,000 ($331,000).

Electrek’s Take

Some may bemoan the break from tradition this represents.  After all, Bond has always driven not just modern British luxury cars, but classics as well.  In Spectre (2015), Bond drove a modern DB10 specially made for the film, but in Skyfall (2012), Bond drove a 1965 DB5.

But each of Bond’s cars has always been equipped with a spate of fantastical gizmos and gadgets.  So if Bond always drives the best and coolest car available, stocked with modern technology, why would he be stuck with a gas engine in this day and age?

All the hypercars out there are at least hybrids (LaFerrari, P1, Regera, 918), F1 cars are all hybrids, hybrids keep winning Le Mans, electric cars are dominating Pike’s Peak, and the fastest road car lap at Nurburgring was set by an EV.  Formula E is running strong in its fifth season, and the title of quickest production car in the world was recently claimed by a large electric sedan.

So giving Bond a stinky old ICE car just wouldn’t make any sense.  A spy could find great benefit in a car which is quieter, more nimble, and gives off less heat than an ICE car.  Of course Bond should be in an EV.  It’s about time.