Speed lovers: The most iconic cars in films
Film lovers have long been captivated by thrilling car chases and spectacular stunts on screen. With Fast & Furious and Transformers going on to make millions at the box office, it’s safe to say Hollywood has produced its fair share of memorable cars over the years. Let’s look back at some of the most iconic cars — which are held in high regard by cinema- and auto-lovers alike.
Aston Martin DB5 in James Bond films
Sean Connery during the filming of Goldfinger. (Image: David Dekkers/Facebook)
We begin with the one that still gets pulses racing for Bond fans. The car was driven by Sean Connery in Goldfinger in 1964, and became instantly famous for its gadgets such as a smoke screen, oil-slick sprayer and machine guns. The original DB5, which was also featured in Thunderball in 1965, sold for US$4.6 million in 2010. Aston Martin announced in 2020 that it will manufacture 25 limited edition DB5s, each with a price tag of US$3.5 million. Most of the cars were already sold even before they rolled out of the assembly line.
Audi R8 in Iron Man
Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark. (Image: IMDb)
Tony Stark, the Iron Man drives around in an Audi R8 in the first Iron Man film, which released in 2008. The car reflected the insouciance and intelligence of the character played to perfection by Robert Downey Jr. Perhaps this is why fans of both the superhero and the car get to see Stark use other variants of the R8 in subsequent films.
Chevrolet Camaro in Bumblebee & Transformers film series
The Chevrolet Camaro was the automobile version of the character Bumblebee in the Transformers series, and is now one of the most iconic cars in film. (Image: IMDb)
Among the many machines that have been part of the Transformers film series, the Chevrolet Camaro remains inscribed in the hearts of franchise fans and car lovers for both its stunning looks and the central role of Bumblebee. The car has appeared with a different facelift in each of the subsequent films of the series, and all have been received well.
Porsche 911 Carrera 4S in Bad Boys For Life
The car is the highlight of a chase sequence from Bad Boys For Life, the third instalment of the Bad Boys film series which was released in 2020. Will Smith drives the sleek machine as he gleefully speeds down the roads and beach in Miami while “navigator” Martin Lawrence is only too eager (hilariously) to get out. A Porsche 911 Carrera 4S comes with a 6-cylinder 420hp rear engine that delivers a top speed of 305 km per hour. Its acceleration is 0-100 km in four seconds.
1981 DeLorean DMC-12 in Back To The Future film series
The DeLorean DMC-12 was depicted as a time machine in the film series. (Image: IMDb)
There aren’t as many cars that have attracted as much attention as the futuristic four-wheeler with gull-wing doors in the Back to the Future film series. The V-6 engine was originally replaced with a V-8 from the Porsche 928, and the car was basically a time machine in the films. Unfortunately, its cinematic success failed to contribute to sales and the company was wound up before the end of the 1980s. The car might make a comeback in 2021.
