Cars on the Big Screen: Ferrari F355 GTS in GoldenEye

A bond film without a car chase is like love without kisses – it just doesn't work when something so fundamental is missing. The Bond car chase that has been etched into my memory since childhood comes from one of the opening scenes of GoldenEye (1995).

Mr Bond is taking his faithful Aston Martin DB5 for a spin along the technically challenging roads above Monaco when a red, wedge-shaped Ferrari suddenly appears in the secret agent's rear-view mirror. Behind the wheel is the fierce fighter pilot and assassin Xenia Onatopp. Say what you will about her surname, but she can certainly drive. The journey unfolds at breakneck speed through the mountains, and Bond somehow manages to keep pace with his over 30-year-old Aston. Admirable, considering the Ferrari F355 was one of the fastest cars ever to bear the prancing horse from Maranello.

When it was launched in May 1994, the F355 boasted 60 more horsepower than its predecessor, the 348 GTB. This was thanks to features such as five valves per cylinder, a larger engine capacity, and components made from lightweight materials like titanium. This was the first car developed underFerrari CEO Luca di Montezemolo, Enzo Ferrari's protégé, and represented one of the brand's greatest advancements since it began producing road cars in 1947.Previously, the focus had been entirely on the Scuderia Ferrari racing team, which initially competed with Alfa Romeos. 

Today, the F355 has become one of the most sought-after and beloved Ferrari models, largely due to its unique engine sound and beautiful lines, courtesy of Carrozzeria Pininfarina.

It's worth noting that Mr Bond's Aston Martin DB5 in GoldenEye wasn't equipped with machine guns, wheel hub blades, or an ejector seat. However, it did feature a champagne cooler for hisBollinger and, most importantly, the quintessential communication device of the 1990s: a fax machine.