BOND’S NEW WHEELS?

JAMES BOnD’S favourite car maker has unleashed its latest licence to thrill — the 202 mph Aston Martin DB12 coupe. now it just needs a new 007 to drive it. Described as the first of a new era of Aston Martins, it’s nevertheless set to be one of the last of the marque’s petrol-powered models before the motoring legend is forced, like the rest of the industry, to produce only electric cars.

Powered by a mighty 680hp 4-litre V8 twin turbo petrol engine that propels it from rest to 60mph in 3.5 seconds, it’s described more as ‘super tourer’ than grand tourer and is on sale now, with deliveries from summer.

Though no official prices have been announced, customers can expect to pay from £185,000 for the two-door 2 plus 2 seater DB12 coupe, though the final cost is likely easily to exceed £200,000 once a series of tempting ‘extras’ are added, including carbon-fibre trim, privacy glass, sports seats and a host of personalised additions from the bespoke ‘Q by Aston Martin’ arm.

A topless cabriolet Volante version is expected to follow for an extra £30,000.

Its glitzy unveiling at Cannes in the South of France comes as Aston Martin celebrates two milestones in 2023 — its 110th anniversary and 75 years of the illustrious DB model line.

Speculation mounts as to who will replace Daniel Craig and get to drive it as Bond in the next film. Aaron Taylor Johnson (of KickAss and nowhere Boy), Grantchester and Happy Valley star James norton, former Superman star Henry Cavill, and Tom Hardy are among the favourites. King Charles III and the new Prince of Wales are also huge Aston Martin fans.

The maker says the new DB12 sets the benchmark for performance, ultra-luxury and style. Its V8 is 34 per cent more powerful than that in the outgoing DB11.

Power is fed through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

It runs on bespoke 21in Michelin Pilot 5S tyres, tuned by an in-house team. That is claimed to deliver the sharpest handling ever on this series of DB cars.