Q then presents 007 with a new Aston Martin DB5, kitted out with gadgets galore, including rotating license plates.
The iconic car went on to appear in eight Bond films as the British car manufacturer reached international acclaim. Nearly 60 years since the DB5 made its onscreen appearance, the luxury carmaker has entered the SUV market with a base price of €188,000.
Why have they launched the SUV? Because sexy sports cars have been replaced with higher riding vehicles that are family-friendly spacious without skimping on luxury.
This is Monaco after all, whether you are off to play a round at the Monte-Carlo Golf Club or heading to Carrefour with kids in tow. And the adaptive triple volume air suspension allows the DBX height to be raised up to 45mm or lowered by 50mm to aid access for passengers or when parked.
The power of the DBX comes from a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission. With 542 horsepower, the SUV reaches a top speed of 291 km/h and a zero-to-100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds. A new all-wheel drive system with electronically controlled center and rear differentials delivers precise distribution of the 516 pounds of torque whatever the situation,and the bespoke quick ratio steering system means the DBX feels alert and responsive.
It is a highly capable vehicle in a range of challenging off-road environments. Six fully customisable driving modes are available on the DBX to tailor the car to certain situations to ensure confidence off- road. Four modes, including Sport and Sport+, are specifically for on- road driving, with two new modes, Terrain and Terrain+ to tackle off- road driving. The rear differential facilitates rear wading, optimal when reversing a trailer into water while launching a boat.
One of the key new pieces of technology is the 48-volt electronic anti-roll control (eARC) system. This replaces the need for traditional anti- roll bars and achieves the level of ride comfort expected of a luxury SUV. And that 14.4:1 steering ratio gives the DBX the agility to put the driver in the mind of a sports car that would make 007 proud.