James Bond Would Definitely Drive a Lexus (Fridays are for F Presented by Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus)
Lexus has built elegant, powerful and resilient cars that epitomize the debonair superspy perfectly. Plus we really need an LFA chase scene!
James Bond ranks as one of the most influential men in popular culture. From the page to the screen, the British secret agent 007 is larger than life. He is classic; suave, clever, hot blooded with a cool head, and the consummate badass. Much like Lexus. And while Bond has a penchant for Aston Martin, we think the time is right for a Lexus Bond car.
Recently, Lexus UK and Autocar challenged automotive design students to create a James Bond car for 2030. The winner was Francis John, a postgraduate student at Coventry University. John created a new performance car named the Lexus SF–and it is pretty genius. This week’s Fridays are For F, we take a look at what makes the Lexus SF and other F Performance cars Bond-worthy.
The Bond Factor
James Bond set the standard as the cool gentleman spy; smooth but able to take down bad guys with precision. Bond possesses the charm, the charisma, and–oh yes–the cars. Traditionally, Bond is an Aston Martin man. However, he has also driven a Bentley, BMW, Lotus, and even a Citroën. Behind the wheel, 007 has created some of the most stunning car chases ever.
And while times are changing, some things (like diamonds) are forever. The auto industry is moving towards hybrid and electric vehicles in record time. Bond is already embracing this change, and will be driving an 937 hp Aston martin hybrid in an upcoming film.
The Bond Future
In 2030, James Bond will likely be driving a superfast, super sexy supercar EV. And that car should be a Lexus. Lexus has shown models that fit the necessary attributes required in a proper Bond vehicle.
Undeniable Appeal
First off, Bond needs a ride that is appealing; it should be a classic style–never trendy. While it needs elevated sportiness, it should exude character, luxury, and refinement. This is a car that entices on every level. Would James Bond drive an LFA? Oh yeah.
Performance & Versatility
While on Her Majesty’s Secret Service one might need to chase down a criminal mastermind. A secret agent needs a ride that can go fast, hard, and handle all manner of obstacles. From driving in the Swiss Alps to taking on a sinuous, twisty roads; a Bond car needs to be reliable, versatile, and capable. Cars like the 5.0 L V8-powered LC 500 have definitely got the juice.
Tech & Gadgets
We also expect Bond’s car to have all the latest tech to keep him connected to Q, M, and Miss Moneypenny. On-board tech in the 2021 and 2022 Lexus vehicles have increased tech capability and connectivity options. We don’t know if 007 would use all the safety features, but it is available. Unfortunatey, Lexus doesn’t come standard with seat ejectors and laser-shooting guns.
The Lexus Bond Car
As Francis John’s design shows, a well designed Lexus fits the bill as a Bond car. John’s 2030 Bond car is a Lexus SF; which stands for “Superfast,” as well as incorporating the F Sport/F Performance designation.
The all-electric Lexus supercar has permanent-magnet electric motor with a power source that comes from a rapid charging solid-state battery. Making a sobering 1,217 hp, the car is futuristic with nuance and still undeniably Lexus.
“My favourite Bond car is the Toyota 2000GT from You Only Live Twice, and that became my main inspiration,” John told Lexus UK. “Lexus is famed for its luxury and performance – like many other cars Bond has driven in the past. I also believe it is a brand that would suit Bond himself as a character, representing creativity, sophistication, perfection and modernity.”
His Lexus SF was designed for a Bond adventure in Japan. Citing Lexus’ design as epitomizing Japan. “I think the design language flows beautifully, everything has a purpose and there’s nothing out of place. It’s almost like what the designers do is innate,” he says. Wanting to incorporate the culture of the country and pack a major punch–he found inspiration from past Lexus cars.
“The Lexus LC 500 and the LF-LC Concept heavily influenced the design,” he says. “The LC has a beautiful shape – the sweeping roofline tapers rearwards, as if the whole car is in continuous motion. I tried to incorporate many of the car’s sharp lines into the Superfast, especially on the bonnet, and the rear of the SF is very much sculpted like the LC’s. I love the fact that the chrome-plated moldings that run alongside the roof are shaped to echo the lines of a traditional Japanese sword, it’s a great reference to Japanese culture.”
Overall, the performance is hard to beat. And the aesthetic is interesting, sleek, and nicely emphasizes the car’s power.
“I aimed to create a unique form, but still wanted the Superfast to be recognizable as a Lexus,” says John. “The brief was for a Bond car in 2030, so it couldn’t look too futuristic. That’s one reason why I included the spindle grille at the front because the lines on all Lexus cars tend to flow from that point. It’s a ‘floating’ grille of course, as because it’s an electric car it doesn’t need one.”
Of course, it has all the tech and gadgets covered.
“At the front, it has a pair of laser-guided gatling guns, which were inspired by the classic DB5 from Goldfinger, It can also drop pneumatic air canisters which are similar in size to golf balls out of a compartment at the rear. The canisters can expand to several times their original size to either create an instant roadblock or exploding underneath pursuers and launching them into the air. The sealed and isolated cabin is protected by a Sentinel system, which shields the driver from everything from bullets to biochemical exposure,” he explains.
We think that Francis John captured the essence of James Bond in this exceptional Lexus. And powerfully demonstrates why James Bond would choose a F Performance Lexus.
Photos: Lexus; Lexus UK; James Bond Twitter; Autocar
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