James Bond Made the Lotus Esprit a Star

by Gabrielle DeSantis

With Lotus offering a four-cylinder option again on the new Emira sports car, its famous slant-four ancestor comes to mind. The original Lotus Esprit was an icon of 1970s styling and Roger Moore drove one twice as James Bond. Here’s a dive into the Esprit’s on-screen run with 007 and its lasting influence.

That Bond movie where the car turns into a submarine

The Lotus Esprit Series 1 exemplified Giorgetto Giugiaro’s “folded paper” design theme. It also became one of the ultimate movie cars in 1977’s James Bond film, The Spy Who Loved Me. Screen time for the vehicle begins with a car chase on the mountain roads of Sardinia. Before the action starts, we get to enjoy some nice music from a pair of Dellorto carburetors. While the Lotus 907 engine is no powerhouse by today’s standards, at least it sounds fast.

After evading the first baddie on a motorcycle, Bond is pursued by another minion in a helicopter before launching the Esprit off a jetty and into deep water. Instead of panicking, 007 just pulls a lever and the car transforms into a submarine, thanks to clever trickery from Q Branch. And while a submersible option certainly wasn’t Lotus’ build sheet in real life, the scene is a signature Bond movie moment.

Ski vacation in a Lotus Esprit Turbo

Actor Roger Moore sits in a 1980 Lotus Esprit Turbo in ‘For Your Eyes Only’ | Keith Hamshere via Getty Images

Agent 007 and the Lotus Esprit would rendezvous again in For Your Eyes Only. This time it was in Series 3 guise with a turbocharged version of the 912 engine shared with the Lotus Excel. Bond drives a white Esprit for a short time near a Spanish villa before it gets blown up.

After being repaired by Q Branch, it appears again but is painted in a copper color with gold accents. He uses the revamped Esprit to get around in the Italian skiing town of Cortina. It even has a neat ski rack over top of the louvered engine compartment. The role wasn’t groundbreaking like the first, but did a nice job of showcasing the new Esprit Turbo.

Bond’s Lotus Esprit inspired the Tesla Cybertruck

Tesla co-founder and CEO Elon Musk with the Tesla Cybertruck
Tesla co-founder and CEO Elon Musk with the Tesla Cybertruck | Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

The Esprit’s screen time with James Bond caught the attention of a young Elon Musk. After becoming rich and famous, he bought the submarine prop car called “Wet Nellie” in 2013. According to coverage by CNBC, Musk even cited it as inspiration for his avant-garde Tesla Cybertruck.

“It was amazing as a little kid in South Africa to watch James Bond in ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ drive his Lotus Esprit off a pier, press a button, and have it transform into a submarine underwater. I was disappointed to learn that it can’t actually transform. What I’m going to do is upgrade it with a Tesla electric powertrain and try to make it transform for real,” Musk remarked to Jalopnik, who reported on the purchase.

From its first breakthrough moments in The Spy Who Loved Me to influencing future vehicles, the Lotus Esprit left an indelible mark on cinematic and automotive history thanks to James Bond. Although the 007 of today drives an Aston Martin, it’s not impossible the spy could drive a Lotus again.

RELATED: The James Bond Triumph Scrambler, and the Spy’s Other Bikes

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Art Students Imagine the 2040 Lincoln Quiet Flight Lineup of Autonomous and Electric Vehicles

by Gabrielle DeSantis

As with all sectors of life, time is changing the automotive industry in a big way. The most notable change is the pressure for car manufacturers to produce all-electric vehicles. Several automakers have pledged to produce an all-electric lineup, including Lincoln. In fact, Lincoln plans to have an all-electric lineup by 2030, with its first EV debuting in 2022 to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Students at the ArtCenter College of Design created a four-car Quiet Flight lineup of concept cars that includes vehicles of varying sizes, exemplifying the future of electric vehicles. 

Lincoln partners with the ArtCenter College of Design

The Lincoln Quiet Flight Teaser Image | Ford Motor Company

The Lincoln Motor Company Media Center recently revealed the results of a recent project. The ArtCenter College of Design in Southern California is famous for innovative car design, and Lincoln is lucky enough to have a close working partnership with them. This year Lincoln’s executives and ArtCenter challenged a select group of students to envision what cars would be like in 2040. The groups comprised students from multiple areas of expertise, including entertainment design, illustration, film making, and animation.

The cutting-edge project challenged the ArtCenter students to envision what cars would look like in the near future and the environment in which they would exist and function. Lincoln hoped to create vehicles that aimed to help people and their lives before all else. To do this, students received instructions to construct stories based on the company’s goal image: Quiet Flight.

Quiet Flight model details

Lincoln’s Quiet Flight project asked for four vehicles. The vehicles included a two-passenger model, a four-passenger model, a four-passenger model with elevated ride height, and a six-passenger model. Each vehicle was portrayed via a film story. Ford and Lincoln’s executives gathered over Zoom to watch the stories unfold, and the vehicles unveiled and were impressed by what they saw.

The ArtCenter students rose to their challenge. Advanced technology was a common theme across all four models presented. The story featuring the four-door sedan showed a couple reminiscing about an earlier road trip while the car showed them pictures from their previous adventure. The SUV presented by the students promised even more technological advancements, including touchscreen windows. 

Another common feature across the future models was automation. The first car was a two-door car that was so autonomous that a person with paraplegia could drive it. Not only did the car’s pedals disappear into a firewall, but the driver’s wheelchair was also easily stowed away in a special compartment. An even more autonomous vehicle was presented in the story featuring a luxury six-passenger vehicle. The story portrayed a band piling into a six-seater that not only drove itself but exemplified as much comfortable luxury as an upscale living room.

The future of Lincoln

Needless to say, the Quiet Flight models designed by the ArtCenter students blew Lincoln’s executives away across the board. It was agreed the students stayed true to the company’s goals of CASE, which stands for connected, autonomous, shared, and electric. Lincoln’s president, Falotico, said, “Their concepts bring to life our core tenets of Beauty, Human, Gliding, and Sanctuary in such an experiential way and clearly show how each vehicle plays a central role in people’s daily lives.”

Indeed, the future looks bright for Ford’s luxury brand of Lincoln. Whether the ArtCenter’s stories come to fruition is yet to be seen, but Lincoln is taking giant strides in the automotive industry. Their newest SUV, the 2021 Lincoln Corsair, is an impressive addition to the Lincoln lineup. Not only is it the definition of modern luxury, but the plug-in hybrid model is the company’s most fuel-efficient SUV to date. Meanwhile, other Lincoln models like the MKZ are making great strides in improving the image and appeal of Lincoln’s brand. Therefore, it is clear that Lincoln plans to continue to produce quality vehicles for years to come. 

RELATED: Is It Worth Upgrading From the Ford Escape to the Lincoln Corsair?

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Tesla’s Controversial Autopilot Saves Drunk Model S Driver

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Tesla is an industry leader in autonomous vehicle technology. Whether Tesla’s autopilot actually works as advertised or not is debatable. Tesla Full Self-Driving Mode is one of the electric vehicle company’s biggest points of controversy. A Tesla Model S just earned the feature some redemption after helping a driver avoid a potentially fatal accident.

Do Tesla models have potential as designated drivers?

The dashboard of the Tesla Model S | PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images

Tesla Self-Driving Mode’s goals are idealistic, to say the least. CEO Elon Musk and the hardworking folks at Tesla hoped to create a feature that could use cameras and sensors to drive on its own just as efficiently as a human would drive. The feature’s true, current capabilities have missed the mark in many ways.

Tesla models are getting into accidents in Self-Driving Mode. Drivers are also getting into trouble with the law because of the feature. Allowing a Tesla to take the wheel can be pretty reckless in most situations. While the potential for the technology can change the automotive industry as we know it, it still has a long way to go. Or does it?

Critics have found so many weak points in the driving mode that it is easy to completely dismiss any positive outcomes for this innovative, developing technology. The feature has caused quite a few accidents, but how many has it avoided?

Tesla autopilot saves irresponsible drunk driver

The dashboard of the Tesla Model S P90D | Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

According to InsideEVs, a 24-year old driver in Norway had too much to drink, so his Tesla Model S had to take over. He was clearly passed out behinds the wheel, and other motorists took notice. The Model S was going 63 miles per hour on the highway. After the vehicle’s system determined the driver to be unresponsive, it engaged the autopilot and gradually slowed the Model S down.

The Tesla Model S slowed completely until the vehicle was stopped in a tunnel then activated its own hazard lights. Thanks to the actions of the Model S, no one was hurt. If the driver had been operating a non-Tesla vehicle, they could have crashed and ended up killing themselves and others.

How much is a Tesla with autopilot?

An overhead shot of a red 2021 Tesla Model 3 parked on an empty air strip
The 2021 Tesla Model 3 electric car | Tesla

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Mode hasn’t proved itself to be the most reliable yet. Still, many consumers are intrigued by the possibility of a Tesla chauffering them around town. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Mode is offered through a subscription service.

The subscription costs $99 monthly for Tesla owners who have Enhanced Autopilot equipped (which tacks on several thousand dollars to your vehicle purchase price). The basic autopilot feature costs $199 a month for drivers who don’t have the Enhanced Autopilot add-on equipped. The Enhanced Autopilot option may seem pricey, but as the Full-Self Driving feature gets even more advanced, it may be the only way to go for those who want the complete experience.

Can a Tesla drive you home drunk?

The interior of a Tesla Model X.
Interior of a Tesla Model X electric luxury crossover SUV | Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

Despite its many shortcomings, Tesla’s Full-Self Driving feature is on its way to being extremely useful. It is the most advanced commercially available autonomous vehicle system on the market. That being said, Teslas with Enhanced Autopilot systems could get you to a destination that was programmed into the GPS if you were unable to drive yourself, however, there are some real moral and legal issues.

Full Self-Driving Mode is advanced but it is still far from perfect. If a driver is unable to retake control of the vehicle to avoid an oversight by the system, then allowing the vehicle to drive is taking a huge risk. Letting your Tesla drive you home while inebriated could come with a list of fines and tickets almost as long as the list of issues with the system. Things could also take a fatal turn when you relinquish control to your Tesla. The bottom line is, the Full-Self Driving Mode is impressive, but no one should give it complete control anytime soon.

RELATED: Consumer Reports Worried About Tesla Using Customers To Test Dangerous ‘Full-Self Driving’ Mode on Public Roads

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Why You Should Absolutely Go Try Autocross

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Looking for the next level up beyond your local kiddy go-kart track? Well, autocross racing may just be what you’re looking for. It’s essentially the purest form of motorsport out there. Just a car, a driver, and a clock. You versus your own talent, grip, and the cones. And that’s why you should give it a go.

What is Autocross?

The worst thing that can happen on a course | Allen J. Schaben via Getty Images

Effectively, Autocross is just an evolved version of that little cone course you did in Driver’s Ed all those years ago. The event organizer, usually the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), will set up a field of cones creating a course, outlined in chalk for added visibility. Then, it’s your job to get through this autocross course as fast as you can. If you’re worried about being taken out to Gapplebee’s, don’t be. The SCCA will usually split autocross events into different classes, in addition to you being the only car out there.

These classes, per the SCCA, can range from people whose cars take them to the track as often as they do work, or those with dedicated, stripped-down race cars. Usually, marshalls will know how to group up people on arrival at an event. Additionally, should you not wish to go out there blind, the SCCA offers some introductory courses smattered across the United States, generally held at your closest race track.

Why you should try racing

A sea of cones in a parking lot
The sea of cones can look intimidating, but it isn’t | Paul Hennessy via Getty Images

Sounds pretty approachable, right? Make car go fast, no hit cone. On the surface that’s the objective, but for anyone with a passion for racing, you’ll soon realize there’s much more to autocross. That level of approachability, combined with the skills learned is exactly why you should go out and give it a go, even if racing isn’t your thing. That’s exactly why I went to my first event.

Frankly, I learned more about speed, driving, and car control in my one day of autocross than any other first day of racing I’ve had. Short of karting that is. However, autocross has a more casual feel. It’s certainly been more approachable in my experience. Getting to show up in a vehicle you know well is key to the level of comfort afforded at an autocross event.

What to do before your first time out

BMW cars line up before an event
Staging up before a lap | Daniel Boczarski via Getty Images

Should you decide to go, know that your car must be immaculately maintained, with a number of safety regulations met, most important among them being a helmet. You can find those here on the SCCA’s site. You’ll also need good tires and a secure battery. Wouldn’t want that heavy item rocketing around your engine, would you? With those hurdles in mind, autocross really is easily the most approachable form of racing out there. All in all, autocross is a great beginner-friendly way to get going fast and learn.

RELATED: What Is Autocross Racing and Is it Dangerous?

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