fbpx
Cars > Peek

Aston Martin celebrates 60 years of James Bond collaboration with DB12 Goldfinger Edition

No machine guns or gadgets here, sadly

It has been 60 years since Aston Martin first collaborated with the James Bond franchise. PHOTO FROM ASTON MARTIN

“You’ll be using this Aston Martin DB5 with modifications.”

It was with these words that Desmond Llewelyn in his role as Q introduced James Bond to his Aston Martin DB5 for the very first time.

The movie was Goldfinger, Sean Connery was James Bond, and a collaboration was born that has now lasted an astonishing 60 years. To celebrate the occasion, Aston Martin has created an extra special DB12 Goldfinger Edition.

The DB12 looks stunning in this Silver Birch finish. PHOTOS FROM ASTON MARTIN

It’s fair to say that having James Bond drive the iconic sports cars from Gaydon has been more than just a bit of marketing for Aston Martin. Being associated with the world’s most famous movie spy has turned the carmaker’s products into silver screen icons, and probably saved the company from going under on more than one occasion.

Naturally, Aston is keen to play on this relationship, and the DB12 Goldfinger Edition continues the tradition of Bond-themed vehicles.

If you’re now hoping for DB5-style front machine guns, rotating number plates, or an ejector seat, then we’ll have to disappoint you. This posh cruiser just gives some gentle nods to Bond, rather than going all-out hardcore like some of the movie versions.

For starters, it’s painted in Silver Birch, which is the original color of the Goldfinger DB5 and probably the most famous British hue after Racing Green. It rolls along on gorgeous 21-inch multi-spoke rims, features gold side strakes, and has a Q fender badge to identify it as a rather special AM.

All these small details are adorned in gold, but not a single weapon button is in sight. PHOTOS FROM ASTON MARTIN

Hop inside and you’re greeted by leather seats that feature a Prince of Wales check perforation pattern meant to remind us of the bespoke suits James Bond wears. It’s also present on the doors and the headliner.

A special sill plaque tells everyone what car they are getting into, and to do the Gold part in Goldfinger justice, there are a number of 18-karat gold-plated interior accents. The drive mode dial and the roller controls, as well as the gear selector, are now adorned by the precious metal, and the gold metal fibers are even weaved into the carbon fiber that decorates the interior.

Wealthy James Bond fanatics will surely enjoy the fine details. PHOTOS FROM ASTON MARTIN

Drop down the driver-side sun visor and you’ll see an eight-of-hearts playing card symbol embroidered into it—a nod to the pool scene in the movie.

On top of the actual car, the 60 lucky individuals who can own one of these limited-edition cars also get a few extra gifts as part of the package. There’s a custom car cover, a luxury box for the key, a little model of the car, and even a 35mm frame from the movie showing the famous Furka Pass scene.

The gifts are stored in a James Bond-worthy attaché case, and the firm is even throwing in a magnum bottle of Bollinger bubbly, complete with four 007 champagne glasses.

You can always call Q to customize your own DB12 if you can't get one of these. PHOTOS FROM ASTON MARTIN

The car is not only an advert for Aston Martin itself, but for the company’s Q division in particular. The bespoke division of the sports-car maker prides itself on customizing vehicles to the exacting specifications and wishes of its wealthy and demanding customers, and the Goldfinger DB12 looks like another job well done by the quartermasters of AM.

The engine remains untouched by the way, and at 680hp and 800Nm, the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 seems to be powerful enough to get passengers out of any Bond-style predicament they might find themselves in. The price for the Goldfinger DB12 hasn’t been revealed by the company, but expect it to be expensive…very expensive.



Frank Schuengel

Frank is a German e-commerce executive who loves his wife, a Filipina, so much he decided to base himself in Manila. He has interesting thoughts on Philippine motoring. He writes the aptly named ‘Frankly’ column.



Comments