[imagesource: Aston Martin]

I thought I was cool, as did many other South African kids, zooming around with a handmade wire-framed car on a pole.

But that traditional wire toy car tames in comparison alongside what some of the rich kids of today get to race around in.

Aston Martin has built a miniature version of their famous Aston Martin DB5, battery-powered and small enough for children to get behind the wheel.

The best part is that it sports a range of James Bond-style gadgets, including toy machine guns that come out of the front of the car as the headlights retract.

The worst part is the price tag.

Produced by The Little Car Company, only 125 of these little cars were made, with each costing $123 000 a pop (around R1,8 million).

Image: Aston Martin

CNN reports that the Aston Martin DB5 Junior is a No Time to Die special edition, released to promote the next film in the long-running series.

There are a few differences between the “real” James Bond Aston Martin DB5, which first appeared in the 1964 movie Goldfinger, and the junior version, besides it being two-thirds the size.

Like the fact that the small DB5 has no roof, so larger children (or even adults) can sit inside.

Another difference is that this edition has a digital license plate that displays plates from different countries, instead of the rotating license plate seen on the original Bond car.

Plus, a very cool “smokescreen” device that pumps dark smoke through “exhaust pipes”:

Image: Astin Martin

As for power? Well:

The mini Bond car also has a lot more power than Little Car’s original DB5. The company’s standard DB5 model produces just 6,5 horsepower.

The Bond version’s electric motor can produce up to 21,5 horsepower and has a top speed that is estimated to be between 45 and 50 miles per hour [around 80 kilometres per hour].

The car also has various drive modes, some of which have lower top speeds for younger drivers.

The launch video shows all the nifty little features in action:

It is not legal to drive this pint-sized car on public roads.

However, according to Aston Martin, little drivers will be invited to participate in special driving events at race tracks.

At least it’s good practice for when they have to hit the real roads?

[source:cnn]