Forget the TV and movie reboots, we’re here for the impending cars of TV and film reboots. It’s sure to be electrifying.
With the seemingly endless wave of movie and TV reboots, it’s only a matter of time until we see some of the most recognisable cars on film subbed out for more eco-friendly EV alternatives. But if the idea of James Bond speeding through the streets of Paris in a Nissan Leaf or Herbie the Love Bug as a Volkswagen ID.3 doesn’t sit quite right with you, there could be an alternative.
The team at Money.co.uk have reimagined five iconic cars from TV and film as modern-day electric vehicles.These renders have introduced modern curves and design elements while keeping the original features that pay homage to the classic movie cars while giving them a modern-day, green facelift.
The Volkswagen E-tle
Original car: Volkswagen Beetle
As seen in: The Love Bug (1968), Herbie Rides Again (1974), Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977), Herbie Goes Bananas (1980), Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005)
An absolute favourite among classic car lovers, your Mum when she was younger, and that older hippie couple down the road who still think it’s the 1960s. The Volkswagen Beetle is probably most famous for its association with the 1968 Disney mega-hit The Love Bug, which elevated the car to its iconic status as one of the quintessential symbols of the ’60s and ’70s.
The Beetle first hit the streets in 1938 and became an iconic vehicle across Europe and then the world. Including Australia where they were built here from 1959 to 1968. The car was eventually discontinued by Volkswagen in 2019.
This E-tle concept oozes cool and ’60s chic while staying true to the ‘flower power’ essence of the 1960s. With Volkswagen firmly declaring its future as an electric carmaker, there might just be a reality for this creative concept E-tle in the not too distant future. Herbie Goes Electric!
The E-Team
Original car: GMC Vandura
As seen in: The A-Team TV series (1983-1987), The A-Team (2010)
The A-Team first hit TV screens in 1983, spawning generations worth of merchandise, memes and of course, iconic catch-phrases, and sky-rocketing the career of Mr. T.
The show centres around a group of heroes who had been convicted of crimes they did not commit, for nearly 100 episodes the A-Team would save the day in 30-minute instalments in their iconic van, kind of like Scooby-Doo, but with guns and gold chains instead of ghosts and Scooby snacks.
While a revival in 2010 staring Bradley Cooper didn’t quite catch on, the A-Team van remains one of the most iconic TV and movie cars of all time. Originally a GMC Vandura, which was in production from 1964-1996, this EV reboot takes inspiration from the upcoming Tesla CyberTruck, allowing the E-Team to supercharge their van in between their escapades. A limited-edition A-Team inspired Tesla has Elon Musk written all over it. Make it happen!
The E-cto-1
Original car: 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Futura Duplex limo-style endloader combination car
As seen in: Ghostbusters (1984), Ghostbusters II (1989), Ghostbusters (2016)
When there’s fossil fuels in the neighbourhood, who you gonna call?
Keeping the streets of New York safe from ghosts, ghouls and giant marshmallow men, Ghostbusters saw film legends Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Rick Moranis and Harold Ramis don their boiler suits to save the day in their 1959 Cadillac, the ‘Ecto-1’.
Created by Stephen Dane, the Ecto-1 would become an iconic symbol of the team making an appearance in several films, comic books, video games, merchandise and TV series over the past 35 years. It most recently appeared in the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot and is set to return in the upcoming Ghostbusters: Afterlife film starring Paul Rudd.
While the new movies still feature a petrol-powered ghostbusting machine, the artists have given the ghost busting crew a cleaner, greener way of saving the city, with Slimer approved (and inspired) lime green lighting.
The E-lorean
Original Car: DMC Delorean
As seen in: Back to the Future (1985), Back to the Future II (1989), Back to the Future III (1990)
The 1985 time travelling classic, Back to the Future immortalised the DMC Dolrean as Doc Brown’s plutonium powered time machine that sent Marty McFly back in time to save the day… and have his mother hit on him, but hey, it was a different time!
Brainchild of John Delorean and Giorgetto Giugiaro, the DMC Delorean featured in the film series only lasted two years in production before DMC filed for bankruptcy.
Perhaps too ambitious and futuristic for the 1980s, the Delorean featured a stainless steel body and had gull-wing doors but was never able to capture the hearts or imagination of the public. It was also plagued by poor build quality and numerous mechanical issues.
Decades later in the future, the Delorean has been elevated to cult status and is still popular with collectors due to its history and association with the franchise. While rumours of a Back to the Future reboot have never come to fruition, this 2021 concept E-Lorean might be the hope we need to see Doc Brown one day fire up the ‘Musk Capacitor’ to go back to the 80s and warn DMC.
Aston Martin EB5
Original car: Aston Martin DB5
As seen in: Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), Casino Royale (2006), Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015)
007 has driven many cars over the years but the Aston Martin DB5 is perhaps the most iconic and most loved James Bond car of them all.
While the British sports car was first produced between 1963-1965, 25 more were said to be commissioned for the upcoming Bond 25 film, No Time to Die.
The DB5 has been given the EV makeover in what we can only expect Q to be building as we speak. Dubbed the EB5, it retains all the classic features of the car, with just a touch of EV styling and modern curves, including a Porsche style front storage trunk for gadgets or golf clubs.
Keyword: Five iconic cars from TV and film reimagined as electric vehicles