007's ride goes electric: Bond's Aston Martin to be retrofitted in limited numbers as EVs
The electric powertrains give the car a range of 255 miles.
By Reuters | Updated:
Agencies
July 26, 2019 File Photo: A James Bond 1965 Aston Martin DB5 coupe is displayed at Sotheby's auction house in New York.
SILVERSTONE, ENGLAND: Daniel Craig may be saying goodbye as James Bond, but his iconic Aston Martin is about to be given a new lease of life, for an ultra-cool $1 million.
Bond actually drove a DB5, which features again in the latest Bond movie, 'No Time To Die'. But the DB6 is regarded by many as the epitome of British motoring style since it was first unveiled in 1965.
In a modern twist, the DB5 and DB6 are now being retrofitted to reappear in limited numbers as electric cars.
"For the women and men of tomorrow this, electrified, is what you should be driving," said David Lorenz, CEO and founder of Lunaz, which specialises in making classic cars electric, at the wheel of a DB6.
"You've got the aesthetic beauty which you will never get in a modern vehicle yet the aesthetics can now be combined with a modern powertrain," Lorenz said.
Lunaz, based near Silverstone, home of the British Grand Prix, is producing limited numbers of an electric DB6.
ADVERTISEMENT
Bond Premiere: Daniel Craig Stuns In Pink Jacket; Ana's Wardrobe Malfunction. Royals Turn Up Too!
1/10
It was a star-studded London premiere that announced the arrival of the 25th film in the Bond franchise - 'No Time To Die'. The almost-3hr-long film, that hits the theatres in the UK and India on October 1, got a royal welcome, literally and more, to compensate for its-much delayed screening that had to be staggered due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Oscar winners, celebrities and of course key members of the Windsor Palace, braved rain and inclement weather to turn up in solidarity for 007. After all, this is also Daniel Craig's last act as James Bond as the 53-year-old has decided to sign off from the hugely-successful film franchise that have spawned an enterprise over five 5 decades.
Here are a few moments from London's Royal Albert Hall that saw the most high-profile red carpet since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was a star-studded London premiere that announced the arrival of the 25th film in the Bond franchise - 'No Time To Die'. The almost-3hr-long film, that hits the theatres in the UK and India on Oct..
Read More
Daniel Craig was a figure of swag and style as he arrived for his swan song at London's Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday. The 53-year-old, dressed in an eye-catching pink velvet dinner jacket, was of course the centre of attention. And rightfully so! Over a span of 15 years, Craig as 007 has entertained the movie world with 5 cinematic adaptations of Ian Flemings's works. He remains a hugely successful supersleuth, and the only blonde Bond in the history of the franchise.
Daniel Craig was a figure of swag and style as he arrived for his swan song at London's Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday. The 53-year-old, dressed in an eye-catching pink velvet dinner jacket, was of cou..
Read More
For those who couldn't make it to London's Royal Albert Hall, there was some virtual comfort. The world is now on Facebook, and so was James Bond! Even as royalty turned up to show Craig some Brit solidarity in person, the world premiere of 'No Time to Die' was streamed exclusively on Facebook. The social media giant broadcast it through Oculus Venues, an experiential space for the Facebook-backed Oculus VR headset. It was hosted by presenter Clara Amfo with ample Facebook-type live commenting, captioning and Q&As.
In pic: Cast members Lashana Lynch, Daniel Craig, Lea Seydoux and director Cary Fukunaga pose during the world premiere of the new James Bond film 'No Time To Die' at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
For those who couldn't make it to London's Royal Albert Hall, there was some virtual comfort. The world is now on Facebook, and so was James Bond! Even as royalty turned up to show Craig some Brit so..
Read More
Ah, well! By now everyone knows that there is a 'Fleabag' link to the latest Bond flick. In April 2019, ‘Fleabag’ creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge (right in pic) was brought in to add spunk to the script. Daniel Craig specifically requested for Waller-Bridge, and wanted her to add a ‘touch of her wit and quirkiness’ to the screenplay.
In pic: American actor Rami Malek (left) and screenwriter Phoebe Waller-Bridge pose on the red carpet after arriving to attend the world premiere of the James Bond 007 film 'No Time to Die' at the Royal Albert Hall in west London.
Ah, well! By now everyone knows that there is a 'Fleabag' link to the latest Bond flick. In April 2019, ‘Fleabag’ creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge (right in pic) was brought in to add spunk to the script..
Read More
Ana de Armas made heads turn as she arrived on the red carpet of the 'No Time To Die' premiere on Tuesday in London. The Cuban actress, who makes her Bond debut opposite Daniel Craig, turned out in a thigh-slit, Louis Vitton black gown, featuring a plunging neckline and silver straps. The 33-year-old had her hair styled in fringe. The British media also reported that De Armas had a bit of an awkard moment at the after-party at Annabel's when she suffered an awkward wardrobe malfunction.
In pic: Ana de Armas (left, Lashana Lynch (centre) and Naomie Harris pose on the red carpet at the world premiere of the James Bond 007 film 'No Time to Die' at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Tuesday.
Ana de Armas made heads turn as she arrived on the red carpet of the 'No Time To Die' premiere on Tuesday in London. The Cuban actress, who makes her Bond debut opposite Daniel Craig, turned out in a..
Read More
Royalty came calling at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Tuesday evening. In a rare joint engagement, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, along with son William and his wife Kate stepped out on to the red carpet to meet the 007 agent. The royals also caught up with director Cary Joji Fukunaga. Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, the producers of the movie that has faced more than a year of delays due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Prince Charles is patron of the British Film Institute, while William is president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta). Kate Middleton, turned up in a sparkly gold dress with a cape designed by Jenny Packham. British media reported Daniel Craig as saying that the Duchess looked "jolly lovely", while Phoebe Waller-Bridge - who helped write the new Bond script - was stunned by her £290 earrings from Onitaa, added The Daily Mail.
In pic: Britain's Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, attend the world premiere of the new James Bond film 'No Time To Die' at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Royalty came calling at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Tuesday evening. In a rare joint engagement, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, along with son William and his wife Kate stepped out on to..
Read More
Billie Eilish radiated happiness at the 'No Time to Die' premiere. The 19-year-old and her songwriter big brother Finneas O'Connell who collaborated on the haunting Bond theme song, met the star cast and the royal attendees at the premiere. The siblings also caught up with Prince William and Kate Middleton inside the Royal Albert Hall. Eilish is the youngest artist to ever record a Bond official theme.
In pic: Finneas O'Connell, left, and Billie Eilish pose for photographers upon arrival for the world premiere of 'No Time To Die', in London on Tuesday.
Billie Eilish radiated happiness at the 'No Time to Die' premiere. The 19-year-old and her songwriter big brother Finneas O'Connell who collaborated on the haunting Bond theme song, met the star cast..
Read More
All eyes were sure on Bond! But England footballer Harry Kane did strike a suave and dapper look in a 007-inspired black tuxedo. The 28-year-old was joined by his glamorous wife Katie Goodland at the 'No Time To Die' premiere on Tuesday. Goodland looked charming in a black satin gown with a silver necklace and a chic black handbag. The couple, who have three kids together, looked quite happy as they posed for shutterbugs.
In pic: Tottenham Hotspur and England footballer Harry Kane poses on the red carpet after arriving to attend the premiere of the James Bond 007 film 'No Time to Die' at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Tuesday.
All eyes were sure on Bond! But England footballer Harry Kane did strike a suave and dapper look in a 007-inspired black tuxedo. The 28-year-old was joined by his glamorous wife Katie Goodland at the..
Read More
Emma Raducanu hit the headlines with her recent US Open coup after defeating Leylah Fernandez. On Tuesday, the tennis pro was a vision in silver at the star-studded London premiere of Bond 25. The 18-year-old, who has recently been announced as Tiffany & Co. ambassador, was snapped at the red-carpet premiere in an iridescent silver gown from Dior’s Resort 2022 collection. Raducanu, born in Toronto and raised in London, stole the show in her sequinned one-shoulder dress with a trail and a floor-length skirt. She wore her dark hair loose.
British tennis player Emma Raducanu poses during the world premiere of the new James Bond film 'No Time To Die' at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Britain, September 28, 2021. REUTERS/Toby Melville
Emma Raducanu hit the headlines with her recent US Open coup after defeating Leylah Fernandez. On Tuesday, the tennis pro was a vision in silver at the star-studded London premiere of Bond 25. The 18..
Read More
Jason Momoa has been stationed in London since July as he shoots for 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom'. The 42-year-old took some time off from his shooting schedule to add to the star-studded London premiere of 'No Time To Die'. And Momoa was not alone - accompanying him was daughter Lola and son Nakoa-Wolf. Back in July, Momoa, who shares his kids with wife Lisa Bonet, arrived in London to begin production for his superhero movie.
Yesteryear Bond girl Michelle Yeoh also showed up in a light blue slit dress with a stylish purse. Yeoh . Yeoh featured in 1997’s Bond film 'Tomorrow Never Dies' opposite Irishman Pierce Brosnan.
In pic: Actors Jason Momoa and Michelle Yeoh pose during the world premiere of the new James Bond film 'No Time To Die' at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Tuesday.
Jason Momoa has been stationed in London since July as he shoots for 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom'. The 42-year-old took some time off from his shooting schedule to add to the star-studded London pr..
The company was founded, Lorenz said, to take upcycling to a whole new level and answer a tricky question - when internal combustion engines are banned, what are we going to do with the two billion vehicles already on the roads?
"I want to preserve these vehicles for future generations to come. My daughter is three years old. When she's of driving age she'll be driving electric cars and I want her to enjoy vehicles like this," Lorenz said.
Each electrified Aston Martin DB6 will undergo an exhaustive bare-metal restoration that Lunaz calls 're-manufacturing'.
ADVERTISEMENT
Technological upgrades include the latest brakes, suspension and steering along with air conditioning and the electronic infotainment systems.
The electric powertrains give the car a range of 255 miles.
ADVERTISEMENT
But what would Bond say when his beloved DB5 no longer makes that throaty roar?
"Bond has always been about modern technology," said Lorenz.
"Q would have loved to hand over the keys to an electrified Aston Martin. It suits Bond to the tee," said Lorenz.
Lunez already electrifies a number of prestige cars from the bygone days of motoring, including Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Jaguar sportscar models. They will soon offer limited build-slots for the Aston Martin DB4 as well as Bond's iconic DB5, which achieved pop-culture status following the 1964 release of "Goldfinger". Prices are ‘on application’ but expected to exceed $1 million, with the first deliveries expected in the third quarter of 2023.
While Lunez is hoping to corner the market in retrofitting classic cars, the race to electrify is well and truly on for all modern supercar makers. These include Ferrari with their first electric supercar expected in 2025, while Rolls-Royce last week teased their first fully electric car, called 'Spectre'; coincidentally the same name as the shadowy crime organisation of the James Bond stories.
