After years of celebrating James Bond, Aston Martin is turning its attention to the spy’s rogues’ gallery.
The British marque has just unveiled a new exclusive model called the DB12 Goldfinger Edition. That’s right, the limited grand tourer pays tribute to one of Agent 007’s fiercest rivals.
You know a Bond villain is nefarious when they name a film after them, something which has only happened twice in the series’ 27 instalments. Goldfinger, the third entry in the franchise and first to feature the spy’s beloved Aston Martin DB5, is named for Auric Goldfinger, a crazed gold smuggler who won’t let anyone get in the way of his plan to rob Fort Knox and disrupt the world economy. In the film’s most infamous scene, the antagonist’s henchmen murder Bond’s love interest, Jill Masterson, after they paint her gold from head to toe inducing “skin suffocation.”
Considering how intertwined Aston Martin and the Bond are in the public consciousness, it only makes sense that the marque would want to honour the series’ breakthrough film on its 60th anniversary. It’s also fitting that they would choose the DB12, a vehicle so impressive we named our Car of the Year in February, to do so. The special edition of the grand tourer will be built by Q, the marque’s bespoke division, and, as you may have guessed by now features several gold accents inside and out.
The athletic two-door is painted in Silver Birch, just like Bond’s trademark DB5. The gorgeous finish is offset by gold side strakes, enamelled badging, and a set of unique 21-inch wheels silver-plated, multi-spoke wheels. Inside, you’ll find leather seats with fluted stitching and Prince of Wales-pattern inserts. The pattern can also be found on the door cards and headliners. Other model-specific details include 18-carat gold plated accents, embroidered sun visors, and a polished plaque noting the film’s anniversary. Mechanically, the car is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V-8 that makes 671 hp and 590 ft lbs of torque.
Aston Martin will build just 60 examples of the DB12 Goldfinger Edition. No price has been announced, though we imagine it will cost well north of the model’s US$245,000 (HK$1.9 million) starting price. Anyone lucky enough to snag one will also get a special car cover, key presentation box, and a segment of 35mm film from the movie’s famous Furka Pass scene.
Click here for more photos of the Aston Martin DB12 Goldfinger Edition.