Aston Martin DB12 Goldfinger marks 60 years of 007
James Bond has been around for longer, of course - but he's only been driving Astons since 1964...
Given James Bond is extremely promiscuous when it comes to cars (he’ll literally drive anything put in front of him) it’s a wonder that he’s become synonymous with just one brand. Of course, lest the films ever forget, we have Aston Martin to remind us: aside from its participation in motorsport, nothing is trumpeted with greater fanfare than its formal relationship with a fictional character. This goes all the way back to the release of Goldfinger in 1964, and it’s the celebration of that 60-year partnership which has resulted in the launch of the DB12 Goldfinger Edition, a limited-run model whipped into existence by the manufacturer’s personalisation service, Q by Aston Martin.
Obviously this is not the first time the manufacturer has dipped in the dress up box and come up with something 007-themed. Who could forget the DBS Superleggera OHMSS or the V8 Vantage 007 Edition - or indeed the continuation run of 25 DB5s that reproduced some of the movie gadgets for a seven-figure asking price. Predictably, the DB12 is more in tune with the former than the latter: on the outside, it’s a Silver Birch (obviously) car with 21-inch multi-spoke alloys and bespoke gold side strakes that gets a unique Aston badge in silver with black enamel. There’s a chrome ‘Q’ on the front wing to clarify the model’s enhanced status, in case that lot is a bit too subtle for passersby.
Inside, it gets a lot more obvious - not least because there’s a prominent sill plaque with the Goldfinger 60th anniversary logo on it. The check perforation is a nod to the Prince of Wales pattern in a classic James Bond suit, which also appears on the door inserts and headliner, not to mention the standard Sports Plus seats. But arguably the most notable touches are saved for that which you touch: the drive mode rotary dial and the roller controls getting an 18k gold plated finish (Auric Goldfinger would surely approve) while the trim inlays are treated to gold threads in the carbon fibre. There’s even a wink-wink ‘eight of hearts’ embroidered into the driver’s sun visor for true Bond aficionados.
Probably you’ll need to be at least partial to the charms of 007 to be persuaded by all this confetti - not least because it’s accompanied by an ‘array of gifts’ that are presented in a colour-appropriate Globe-Trotter attache case. These don’t include a Walther PPK and a dart-firing pen, sadly, but a 35mm film section of the iconic Furka Pass scene is pretty cool. Ditto the magnum of Bollinger and four 007 glasses that come in a separate Air Cabin Case. That seems very Bond. To be fair, so is the DB12 more generally, given its status as the firm’s Super Tourer. There will be just 60 examples of the Goldfinger offered, and while Aston didn’t put a price on the special edition ahead of its unveiling, it’s safe to assume that a sideline in international gold smuggling would come in handy. Deliveries are expected to kick off in the first half of next year.
Aston really do milk the Bond association don't they. I love it because the movies are cool, but I hate it because it can become cheesy and relying so heavily on your brand to be associated with a movie franchise could be dangerous if those movies suddenly become uncool.
Or the Casino Royale Range Rover Sport Xtra bling edition.
(In my crazy mind the Mondeo was probably the most spy like car he's ever driven. The current equivalent would be a White Prius or VW Golf, real blink and you've already forgotten it stuff but I'm quite mad...)
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