It’s the ultimate boys’ toy – complete with gadgets including imitation machine guns and smoke-screens.
For budding young James Bonds of all ages who want to emulate their hero in a ‘baby’ Aston Martin, engineers have created a scaled down fully working electric-powered replica of 007’s most iconic car – just in time for it hitting the big screen again.
The two-thirds scale DB5 has been created by the Bicester-based Little Car Company in collaboration with Aston Martin and Bond producers EON Productions – including their Oscar-winning special effects boss – to celebrate the Covid-delayed screening of the new Bond movie ‘No Time to Die’ which arrives in cinemas from September 30.
Baby Bond car: The electric two-thirds scale DB5 has been created by the Bicester-based Little Car Company in collaboration with Aston Martin and Bond producers EON Productions
Only 125 of the exclusive 007 versions are being made with an eye-watering price tag of £108,000 each – around 25 times the price of the original 1960s DB5 – for what the makers say is ‘the ultimate gadget-laden collector’s item for Bond fans worldwide.’
That’s not enough for a brand new full-sized Aston Martin (prices start at around £132,000 for a Vantage) but is sufficient to get you a decent second hand one, albeit not a classic from this era.
The new electric battery-powered and gadget-laden Bond special edition is based on a standard Junior DB5 but is given more power, a range of up to 80miles, and a top speed of around 50mph as well as the eye-catching 007 enhancements – though also costs more than double the price.
Rarity: Only 125 of the exclusive 007 versions are being made with an eye-watering price tag of £108,000 each
Performance: The electric battery-powered Bond special edition is based on a standard Junior DB5 but is given more power, a range of up to 80miles, and a top speed of 50mph
It is powered by a 21horse-power (16kW) electric motor which is nearly double that of the most powerful standard Junior DB5 (13hoerse-power and 10kW), giving it more oomph and , with more batteries) double the range.
The makers said: ‘After extensive development and months of collaboration between the three companies, the car is a truly authentic homage to both the Aston Martin and 007 brands.’
The ‘No Time To Die’ Special Edition has been designed as a convertible, and not the fixed head coupe driven by 007.
This is to offer seating for an adult and child side by side ‘ allowing all generations of Bond fans to share the love of driving’
The makers noted: ‘James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 has become a much-loved character in its own right. No Bond car would be complete without Q style gadgets, and the Aston Martin DB5 Junior No Time To Die edition is no exception.’
- All the gadgets, are operated by individual controls in a hidden switch panel in the passenger door.
- At the push of a button, the headlights drop to reveal a twin set of simulated Gatling guns, complete with imitation barrel blasts, flashes., and noise.
- Digital number plate can be changed via the hidden control panel.
- A smoke screen can be pumped out through the rear exhaust pipe. The car has a supply tank which supplies an hour of safe smoke before it needs topping up.
- A special ‘skid mode- – as seen in the No Time To Die trailer when 007 fires his machine gun in a circle while performing ‘donuts’ – – comes in handy when caught in a tight spot.
A digital number plate can be changed via the hidden control panel unlike the original which rotated
Firepower: At the push of a button, the headlights drop to reveal a twin set of simulated Gatling guns, complete with imitation barrel blasts, flashes., and noise
Oscar-winning special effects supervisor Chris Corbould worked on fifteen James Bond films since the early 1980s and consulted with The Little Car Company on the development of the vehicle’s complex gadgets in miniature,
He said: ‘When I saw the DB5 Junior in the flesh, I was amazed at how identical it is to the full-sized car – its stunning. It’s an amazing feat of engineering.’
Although the DB5 Junior is not ‘road legal’ and can only be driven on private land, the new 007 car is classed as an authentic Aston Martin model so every owner will receive automatic membership of the respected Aston Martin Owners Club, with their ‘junior’ cars registered for future provenance and authenticity
They will also receive complimentary membership of The Little Car Club, allowing them to take part in exclusive events where they, their children and their grandchildren can drive their DB5 Juniors on the most prestigious racetracks.
The two-thirds scale electric ‘junior’ car is based on Aston Martin’s own 3D scan of an original DB5 to ensure complete accuracy and authenticity.
At 3m long, and 1.1m wide, is designed to accommodate an adult and a child side by side in supportive bucket seats.
The car is constructed from a lightweight but rigid aluminium honeycomb chassis and composite body which helps keep the total weight down to around 270kg.
The 007 DB5 Junior comes in famous Silver Birch colour as standard, with a full black leather interior and carpet set, and a boot in the rear for storage. It also has working headlights, brake lights, indicators and a horn.
In the detail: Like the original, the dashboard is filled with functional Smiths instruments, which have been cleverly updated for the 21st century
Subtle: The fuel gauge has been converted into a battery meter, the oil temperature monitors the motor temperature
The two-thirds scale electric ‘junior’ car is based on Aston Martin’s own 3D scan of an original DB5 to ensure complete accuracy and authenticity
Power is regulated by aluminium accelerator and brake pedals. A perfect two-thirds scale steering wheel has a racing-style quick release to make entry and exit easier for the driver.
Like the original, the dashboard is filled with functional Smiths instruments, which have been cleverly updated for the 21st century.
So the fuel gauge has been converted into a battery meter, the oil temperature monitors the motor temperature.
And the same Smiths clock as seen in the original 1960s car sits proudly in front of the passenger seat.
The DB5 Junior also sports the same iconic Aston Martin ‘wings’, ‘shield’ and DB5 badges as the original 1963 model.’
Also like the original, the car sits on double wishbone suspension at the front.
It rides on 10′ wire wheels and has four-wheel disc brakes with regenerative braking to help conserve and generate electric power en route.
There’s also a rally-style hydraulic handbrake which the creators say ‘while strictly not necessary, does add to the fun for the bigger kids amongst us’. There are three main driving modes: Novice, Expert and Race.
The makers said: ‘The No Time To Die edition will pay homage to the rich shared history of the brands, with Silver Birch paintwork, Smiths instruments, individually numbered chassis plates and completed with Aston Martin badging.
‘In true Bond style, this special edition boasts even greater power and range over the standard DB5 Vantage Junior, giving it a higher level of performance.’
The original Aston Martin DB5 was launched in 1963 but which gained worldwide fame and iconic status when a gadget-laden version first appeared on the big screen in the 1964 James Bond movie ‘Goldfinger’ with Sean Connery – the first in a string of 007 appearances up to and including the forthcoming ‘No Time to Die’ with Daniel Craig.
The £108,000 price tag is around 25 times the cost of the original £4,175 full-sized DB5, though mint examples today sell for millions.
Iconic: The original Aston Martin DB5 was launched in 1963. Its first appearance in a Bond film was in the 1964 movie ‘Goldfinger’ starring Sean Connery (pictured)
But it’s a snip compared to the limited edition of DB5 Goldfinger continuation cars built by Aston Martin – complete with 007 gadgets including replica machine guns – selling now for £3.3million each, a version of which currently on display inside a giant-sized replica box of the original Corgi toy box.
Little Car Company chief executive Ben Hedley said: ‘The gadget-laden Aston Martin DB5 is regarded as the most famous car in cinematic history.
‘It awed audiences around the world over fifty years ago. Now, that story continues. As part of an exclusive partnership with EON Productions and Aston Martin, we have had the opportunity to create something truly unique for James Bond fans and collectors. We can’t wait to see the adventures these cars take with their owners.’
Build slots for the 007 version of the car are being allocated on a ‘first come, first-served basis from customers who place a fully refundable deposit.
In addition, existing Aston Martin DB5 Junior clients are being given given ‘first refusal’ on upgrading to a No Time To Die edition.
Ray Massey with one of the of DB5 Goldfinger continuation cars built by Aston Martin which now sell now for £3.3m each
Two versions of the standard version are: the DB5 Junior costing from £42,000 and the more powerful DB5 Vantage Junior from £54,000.
A limited run 1,059 ‘Junior’ vehicles are being built, exactly the same number as the full-size DB5 of the 1960s – and owners of original cars are being offered the first the opportunity to buy one, with a matching chassis number to their car.
A second battery can be added, and each pack can be swapped for a replacement in a matter of seconds.
Cars will also come with a range of optional accessories including flight cases, additional batteries, covers, toolkits and custom number plates.
SAVE MONEY ON MOTORING
Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence.
