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Aston Martin and James Bond. No other vehicle-and-action-hero relationship goes back further than that. I won’t hear Dominic Toretto and his affinity for the Dodge Charger. No, no, Bond has loved his Astons for 60 years. However, there was a time when Agent 007 preferred the company of a Lotus Esprit over the familiar GT car associations of James Bond. 

Sure, James Bond piloted Aston Martin and BMW cars over the years – but he also spent time behind the wheel of a Lotus

Ok, so jet-setting superspy James Bond has spent more time behind the wheel of an Aston Martin than any other sort of car. However, there were times wherein Bond took the keys to a Lotus instead of a DB5 or Vantage.

The most noteworthy Lotus in Bond’s film history is, of course, the Lotus Esprit from the 1977 film “The Spy Who Loved Me.” In the film, James Bond, played by the late Sir Roger Moore, plunges a white 1976 Lotus Esprit S1 into the water to the surprise of his passenger. However, the flick of a switch turns the Esprit into a submarine, complete with helicopter-killing munitions. Still, Bond returned to the big screen with a red-and-gold Lotus Esprit Turbo in the 1981 film “For Your Eyes Only.” 

Sir Roger Moore stands beside the Lotus Esprit Turbo sports car for the James Bond movie "For Your Eyes Only."
Sir Roger Moore stands beside the Lotus Esprit Turbo for “For Your Eyes Only” | United Artists, Danjaq LLC.

And let’s face it. Even with a Toyota mill under the bonnet, Bond could’ve piloted a more modern Lotus. For instance, the latest Lotus Emira is more than enough of a looker to deliver the on-screen oohs and ahs necessary for a Bond movie car. 

However, if we’re talking Pierce Brosnan or Daniel Craig-era 007s, the brand still has options. For Brosnan fans, couldn’t you have imagined Agent 007 pulling up to Gustav Grave’s ice palace in a striking Series 2 Lotus Elise? Well, I could’ve. Granted, the Aston Martin Vanquish made quite an impact in “Die Another Day.” 

Hell, the video game moguls at Rockstar even slipped a “The Spy Who Loved Me” reference into the perennially popular “Grand Theft Auto V” online landscape. Specifically, the team loosely styled a two-door, rear-mid-engine sports car that turns into a submarine with the flip of a switch. Better yet, the car is the “Ocelot Stromberg.” Get it? Stromberg after Bond’s nemesis in the 1977 film. Cheeky.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and Humvees. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with expertise covering everything from sports cars and electric motorcycles to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He also studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC). When he’s not working, you can find Erik on his motorcycle or out for a spirited drive.