Ah Bond, there you are.
Good morning, Q. What new toy do you have for me today? An exploding pencil case? A bottle of shampoo that's actually a rocket launcher?
No, we've got this new Aston Martin DB9, with modifications.
What kind of modifications?
Well, I won't keep you for more than an hour or so if you give me your undivided attention. There will only be 150 of these ever made, and it's called the DB9 GT Bond Edition. It's been made to mark more than 50 years since some over-grown Scottish stuntman appeared on cinema screens driving a DB5, and it's launched to coincide with the new film, Spectre, which hits cinemas on the 26th of October.
So, it gets special Spectre Silver paint and some discrete 007 exterior badges. The doorsills have the 007 logo, naturally, while the classic gun barrel motif is stitched into the head rests. There's also a Bond-flavoured start-up screen for the new touch-screen infotainment system.
Inside, there's lots of special leather, carbon fibre and an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel.
The V12 engine is unchanged, but it still has 547hp and 620Nm of torque, and sticks with its old six-speed rear-mounted automatic transmission. It does 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and the top speed is 183mph.
Now this bit I'm particularly keen on. Each car comes with a 21-inch Globe Trotter suitcase and an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m James Bond Limited Edition watch complete with a unique Aston Martin strap.
Welcoming the debut of the DB9 GT Bond Edition, Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: "Aston Martin and James Bond are intrinsically linked in the minds of many of our enthusiasts and, indeed, owners, worldwide.
"In the run-up to the launch of the new film, Spectre, which sees Bond behind the wheel of the DB10, we are very happy to be able to celebrate the partnership with this superb limited edition DB9 GT collector's item." Dr Palmer added: "I'm sure the 150 owners worldwide who succeed in acquiring one of these exceptional sports cars will, like the rest of us, delight in seeing Spectre when it is released later this year."
The new DB9 GT Bond Edition is available to order in markets around the world from today, priced at £165,000.
What? No ejector seat?
Ejector seat? You are joking...
Neil Briscoe - 2 Sep 2015