Why The Next James Bond Should Drive A Lotus Instead Of An Aston Martin

While Q reluctantly gives 007 an Aston Martin for the job, Lotus’ newest Emira sports car should be considered for the next Bond adventure.

BY SAM MAIN

VIA HOTCARS

PUBLISHED MAY 5, 2023

Contrary to popular belief, the signature car of choice for the fictional British secret agent, James Bond, is not an Aston Martin sports car. It is, in fact, a Bentley. At least that’s what creator Ian Fleming wrote in the fictional books. But, in 1964’s film Goldfinger, Bond was gifted a stunning Aston Martin DB5 by his quartermaster to aid him on his mission. Since then, the brand of Aston Martin has been closely associated with the Bond franchise, and it has become an interconnected icon ever since.

However, other vehicles have been driven by the world-renowned secret agent, one of which being a Lotus. With Daniel Craig leaving the titular role in No Time To Die, the world now looks to who will star as James Bond in the as yet titled Bond 26. This got us thinking: what car should Bond drive next? Since a pre-existing relationship with an alternative British brand exists, now is the perfect chance for Bond and Lotus to reunite by having 007 drive the all-new Lotus Emira sports car.

The All-New Emira Sports Car Has The Speed And Power For 007

Why should Lotus’ new sports car be driven by the world's greatest spy? First and foremost, a Bond car must be fast and agile. The Lotus Emira ticks these boxes. Under the hood lies a 3.4 liter V6 engine developed by Toyota, and thanks to its Edelbrock supercharger it produces a whopping 400 bhp at 6,800 rpm. The Lotus Philosophy developed by founder Colin Chapman has always been straightforward: simplify and add lightness. That’s why, with a lightweight bonded aluminum chassis, the Emira can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds, and on top a top speed of 180 mph.

So, even if Bond is escaping a villainous volcano lair, the Emira has enough power to easily outpace the competition. But straight-line speed is one thing, cornering capability is another. Thankfully, the Emira is the bi-product of Lotus’ racing heritage. With an excellent 6-speed manual transmission mated to the glorious V6 engine, a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires that gives tremendous grip, and immersive hydraulic assisted steering, Lotus’ Emira is a true sports car that provides sharp driver feedback when teetering on the edge of the car’s capabilities. It’s safe to say the Emira is a dynamic sports car fit for whatever mission the next Bond will be put on.

Lotus' Emira Has Drop-Dead Gorgeous Styling Fit For Bond

The Emira is fast and agile, that is irrefutable. But perhaps the most important thing for Bond, as a character, is to display a sense of style. From his watch to his car of choice, everything must look the part, and the Emira certainly fits into this category. From just about every angle, Lotus’ new sports car is drop-dead gorgeous. It’s subtle and sleek, but still aggressive. It remains traditionally Lotus in design, but manages to be contemporary and progressive. Similar to Bond’s Aston Martin DBS used in Casino Royale, the Emira is a stunningly subtle sports car that fits the glamour that Bond typically displays.

Not only does the new Emira look beautiful on camera, but its styling is also not just for show. The final petrol-powered Lotus has been designed with aerodynamics in mind. Due to its simple design with a lack of active aero features, the Emira manages to create passive downforce equally balanced between the front and rear axles; as downforce increases the faster the car travels, the handling capabilities remain consistent. In other words: the driver has full confidence when sticking the Emira into a corner. Exactly the qualities the next Bond needs in his car of choice.

What Lotus Has Been Used In The James Bond Franchise?

Clearly, the Emira ticks all the boxes for Bond: speed, handing, style. But the cherry on top for why Lotus should return to the Bond franchise is for a simple reason: heritage. As mentioned previously, Roger Moore’s Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me famously drove a white Lotus Esprit S1 which had a particular party piece.

Developed by Perry Oceanographic, the production made it so the Lotus Esprit could transform into a submarine; a truly fantastical and iconic gadget that was used in an incredible chase sequence in Sardinia, Italy. Roger Moore’s 007, to escape a pursuing helicopter, drove his Esprit off a jetty and into the waters below. Then, low and behold, the Esprit turned into a submarine, and on-board torpedoes meant the pursuers were no more.

Thanks to Bond, people associate the Esprit with that particular film, and vice versa. It is easily one of the coolest Bond cars ever created, achieving cultural significance in the process. The Emira has the ability to follow suit in Bond 26. Any car that features in a Bond movie is sure to gather extra fame, and such publicity and promotion is exactly what Lotus needs to give their latest and most important sports car that extra push.

With a new Bond being cast in the next adventure, what better way is there to marry a new Bond with a new Lotus? Not only is it poetic, but it also makes sense for both parties because of the heritage and relationship both Bond and Lotus have shared before. The Emira is the perfect car for the next 007. It’s fast, agile, beautifully designed, and can become truly iconic, following in the footsteps of its Esprit predecessor and capturing the imaginations of the next generation of Bond fans and petrol heads.