The 007 franchise is not only known for its spy properties, but also for its two most recognizable keywords: 'Bond Girl' and 'luxury cars.


The series has always had some iconic cultural symbols, such as its classic soundtrack 'James Bond Theme', and Bond cars throughout the series.


Aston Martin DB5


Of the five Aston Martins featured in the Bond films, the DB5 was the first to appear. It then went on to appear in Thunderball, Goldeneye, Tomorrow's Empire, Casino Royale, and, finally, SKYFALL. The DB5 became Bond's 'comrade in arms' in these James Bond films.


The Aston Martin DB5 cost £4,500 back in the day, and it cost £25,000 just to modify the car's mechanisms for the filming of Goldfinger, and in 2010 a collector acquired the DB5 from Goldfinger for $4.1 million, including the gun barrel protruding from behind the headlights and the bulletproof shield behind the rear window.


Citroën 2CV


If the Aston Martin DB5 is the most popular bond car, there is one car that may not be as popular: the Citroën 2CV, which was driven by Bond in 1981's Top Secret. The Citroën 2CV has equaled the icon of France, the absolute national car. From the moment it was launched in 1949 until it was discontinued in 1990.


One in five people born in France from the late 60s to the late 90s has driven a Citroën 2CV.


BMW Z8


It's a gorgeous retro-style thing, and certainly has the power to match the show, powered by the E39 M5's V8 with 400bhp, 370lb-ft of torque, and a sprint time to 62mph of well under five seconds - enough to haul down Badass Renard's entourage.


In Q's Secret Service specs, it apparently has titanium armor, a flat-screen, and "six drink holders", although Q's assistant - played in this case by John Cleese - don't mention much else.


Certainly, he seems to have forgotten about the surface-to-air missile Bond later uses to shoot down the helicopter, although the titanium armor doesn't stop a second helicopter from slicing the Z8 in half with a rotary chainsaw. Of all the cars that had to die, it had to be, well, not actually a Z8, but a replica Cobra wrapped in a Z8 panel.


Aston Martin V8 Vantage


Three V8 Vantage is Mr. Bond's Aston's in 1987, this unique B-reg started out as a convertible but was later 'modified' by Q, apparently fitting a particularly seamless hardtop, as the number plates were the same. During the welding process, Q also managed to include a few extras.


These gadgets included a control panel under the central armrest for applying things like wheel lasers, missiles (including a flat sight targeting system displayed on the windscreen), outriggers, pop-up spiked tyres (why hasn't anyone actually invented these by now?), rocket boosters and, more simply, a police radio receiver.


The car is also bulletproof, which is probably why it needs rockets - if all this kit is true, it will weigh in at around 80 million tonnes.