Aston Martin unveils new Bond car

British sports car maker Aston Martin has whipped the wraps off its DB10 show car at a special preview event at Pinewood Studios in London, marking the start of filming of the latest James Bond film, Spectre.

The car will only ever be driven – at breakneck speed and with gadgets galore – by British secret agent 007, James Bond, and although it's purely a creative fantasy for the film, it hints at where the company wants to take its design language.

Some of the early James Bond 007 films featured the iconic Aston Martin DB5 and now the DB10 "gives a glimpse to the future design direction for the next generation of Aston Martins".

Just a single image of the car has been released, the Aston Martin DB10 showing off a sleek, simple form that doesn't use fussy design flourishes or overwrought details. It's recognisable as an Aston Martin via its trademark grille, long bonnet and flowing passenger compartment that's pushed back towards the rear axle, creating a sense of urgency.

Large wheels, a ground-hugging stance, short overhangs and just the single crease along the doors, flowing behind the front wheel arches, give the car a sporty elegance. Perhaps only the headlights appear to have really evolved from the current Aston Martin design theme, with the lower leading edge extending further inboard.

The design was led by Aston Martin's Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, and according to a press statement the team "worked closely" with Spectre's director, Sam Mendes, "to create the ultimate car for the world's most famous spy".

In other words, the film studio helped pay for it. And there'll be more than just an AMG engine hidden beneath its body panels. We're tipping some sort of projectile weapon and at least caltrops or an ejector seat mechanism will be present.

The 24th Bond film will premiere in November 2015, giving the production company plenty of time to build a number of vehicles, in the highly likely scenario the vehicle will be blown to smithereens. While the 2015 release will make it a year late, 'Spectre' will nonetheless mark the 50th anniversary of the collaboration between Bond film makers EON productions and Aston Martin. The Aston DB5 first appeared in a James Bond film for the release of 'Goldfinger' in 1964, with Sean Connery at the wheel.

"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," said Dr Andy Palmer, CEO of Aston Martin.

"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," said the Briton.

"I'm incredibly proud of everyone in the team at Gaydon who have brought this special project from concept to reality," added the Aston boss, but mentioned nothing about the vehicle going into series production.

In total Aston Martin will be 10 of the bespoke sports cars at its Gaydon headquarters, and it's fair bet that only a couple of them will survive the rigours of a being a movie star.

It's not clear what engines will be used in the cars – usually cheap mass-market V8s are used in stunt cars – but car buffs will no doubt be listening closely to ascertain if the DB10 will be the first Aston to be packaged with an AMG engine. In December 2013, a deal was inked with Mercedes-Benz allowing it to use AMG V8 engines.