What's this then?

Before I answer that question precisely, I should perhaps explain that this is being written under the conditions of almost alarming anticipation. As someone who likes Aston Martins (quite a bit) and utterly adores James Bond (in a manly sense) this article may at times be interrupted by overflows of excitement for one or t'other. (SQUEEEEE!!!!! IT'S DANIEL CRAIG IN A SUIT!!!!) See?

Quite. But as you asked when we came in, what's this then?

The car? This is the Aston Martin DB10, but before you get all cheque-book-y and start placing an order to replace your aged DB9, this isn't actually a production car. Well, it sort of is but only ten will ever be built and all of them have but one customer... Commander James Bond. (OMG OMFG THERE'S RALPH FIENNES!!!!!)

Well, not him actually, he's a fictional character (Bond, not Fiennes) and therefore can't enter into PCP agreements. The customer is actually EON Productions, the studio behind the Bond films and all ten DB10s will be required for filming duties on the just-announced 24th 007 filmic outing, Spectre.

As Aston boss Andy Palmer (formerly of Nissan) put it during today's unveiling at Pinewood Studios: "10 cars total run - let's hope James Bond doesn't wreck them all!" (WOW!!!!! THERE'S NAOMIE HARRIS AS MS. MONEYPENNY!!!!!!)

So it's just a made up car for the movie then?

Well, not quite. While Aston isn't telling us any technical details about the car (most likely because, as with most movie cars, it's just a cut-about body on a regular production chassis), what it does do outside of the big screen is give us a look at what future Astons, and the real DB9 replacement will look like.

So, it's sharper-edged than current Astons, less curvaceous and more chiselled (JUST LIKE DANIEL'S CHEEKBONES!!!! SWOOONS!!!!!!) with a more cab-backward stance that's reminiscent both of the Jaguar F-Type and the new Mercedes-AMG GT. That last allusion may be more than mere co-incidence too - after all, Merc now owns five per cent of Aston and has already inked an engine supply agreement for future models. There's possibly more than a little AMG GT DNA in both this car and the future production model.

According to Aston Martin "the luxury British sports car brand is delighted to confirm that James Bond will once again drive an Aston Martin in Spectre. On this occasion, it will be a model developed specifically for the film and built in-house by the brand's design and engineering teams."

"Led by Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, the design team worked closely with the film's director, Sam Mendes, to create the ultimate car for the world's most famous spy."

"Celebrating the great British brand's half century with Bond, which started with the iconic DB5, the DB10 gives a glimpse to the future design direction for the next generation of Aston Martins."

Andy Palmer added that "in the same year that we celebrate our 50-year relationship with 007, it seems doubly fitting that today we unveiled this wonderful new sports car created especially for James Bond."

"To be partnering once again with EON Productions is great news for this company and for everyone around the world that loves to see Bond at the wheel of an Aston Martin."

"I'm incredibly proud of everyone in the team at Gaydon who have brought this special project from concept to reality."

We know the name, now what about the number?

(GREAT GOOGLY-MOOGLY, CHRISTOPH WALTZ IS THE BADDIE!!!!) The final number-name for the production car that will follow this hand-built DB10 run has still to be announced. It's possible that, given the affection for the DB9 name and that this DB10 has such a strictly limited shelf life, that DB9 could be retained and used again. Aston has trademarked DB11 and DB12 though, so either is also possible. We'll just have to wait and see.

And what of Commander Bond?

Oh, we'll be seeing lots of him. Filming kicks off on Spectre (which sees the return of classic Bond villainous organisation the Special Executive for Counter-Intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion [S.P.E.C.T.R.E]) next Monday and will take in locations in London, Mexico, Rome, Austria, Morocco and, of course, the vast Pinewood studio set that is Bond's traditional home. (I'M ALREADY HUMMING THE THEME MUSIC!!!! DUN-DUN-DUN-DUN-DUUUUUUN...)

Please stop it.

Sorry. (Not sorry).

Neil Briscoe - 4 Dec 2014