Jaguar and Aston Martin play cat & mouse game in next Bond film

The Aston Martin DB10 – the car which will accompany James Bond on his 24th big-screen outing, Spectre – has again been shown in the latest official trailer for the film.

The trailer shows Bond in action in his DB10, while being chased by a villain driving another equally rare car – the Jaguar C-X75.

Announcing the tie-up last year, Aston Martin chief executive Andy Palmer revealed that the DB10 would be made in a run of 10 units, all of which are expected to be used in the film's production rather than be offered for sale. "The most exclusive DB ever," is how Palmer described it. "It's 10 cars total run - let's hope James Bond doesn't wreck them all!" he added.

The 10 units have been handmade at Aston's Gaydon headquarters, where the car has been designed and engineered. 

Announced by director Sam Mendes and producer Barbara Broccoli as part of the film's official pre-launch activities on the 007 Stage at Pinewood Studios hosted by EON Productions, the DB10 continues the 50-year partnership between Bond and Aston Martin, which stretches back to 1964's Goldfinger.

While the DB10 will not make production as it is in a limited run, the model is also understood to show off Aston's new look, which should translate onto the brand's road cars by 2016. It most closely previews the DB9 replacement

Mendes said: "We have worked together to design this new car. It's a thing of beauty - and you'll be able to see what it can do."

An Aston Martin statement read: "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."

Palmer added: "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.”

Kicking off the revitalised Aston Martin is expected to be the aforementioned DB89 replacement, which will bring with it a new lightweight aluminium architecture and a new range of engines supplied by Mercedes-AMG. The DB10 previews the look of this car - a complete departure from the current familiar design language.

The DB10 features sharper, stronger creases which lead to stockier, shorter rear end. The front grille is instantly recognisable as an Aston Martin, though, albeit much lower and wider. An all-new headlight design features at the front. Deep air vents in wings emphasise the width of the front track.

The proportions of the car sit between the existing Vantage and DB9. The overhangs are very short, and the familiar curves in the A-pillars lead to an all-new side window graphic. There are hints of DP100 concept from earlier this year in the rear and sills. 

It also features a large one-piece clamshell bonnet that looks to open backward, suggesting the bodywork could all be made from carbon fibre.

There has been lengthy debate as to the name of Aston's DB9 replacement, but DB10 has been settled on for the Bond car. However, as just 10 units will be made, it's believed that the full production version that will follow it, incorporating elements of the DB10's look, will adopt a DB11 or DB12 name.

In debating the name for the DB9 replacement earlier this year, Aston design director Marek Reichman told Autocar UK: “It’ll definitely be a DB, but what number will follow that is yet to be decided.”

Spectre is scheduled to be released in October of this year. Filming for Spectre takes in locations including London, Mexico City, Rome, the Austrian Alps, Morocco and Pinewood Studios.