The spy with the greatest...

The spy with the greatest gadgets in cinema returns to the silver screen in October. But has the credit crunch forced even 007 to swap his premium Bond image for these bargain wheels?

Auto Express exclusively revealed that the new Ford Ka will appear in the 22nd James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, in Issue 1,006. Yet fans will be relieved to hear itтЂ™s not Bond himself who will climb behind the wheel of the new Ka when it makes its big-screen debut.

Instead, the city car will be driven by leading lady, Olga Kurylenko. She stars alongside Daniel Craig who, as 007, will be reunited with a technology-packed Aston Martin DBS.

The Ka used in the movie was specially constructed by Ford of EuropeтЂ™s design team. Using detailed specifications from the filmтЂ™s makers, the screen version was given a unique metallic gold paint scheme, complemented by webbed graphics at the rear. The one-off creation also gets a unique interior to match the striking exterior.

This wonтЂ™t be the first time an all-new Ford has taken a turn alongside James Bond. When the previous film тЂ“ Casino Royale, in which Craig made his debut in the role тЂ“ hit cinemas back in 2006, audiences were treated to an early viewing of the firmтЂ™s latest-generation Mondeo, used by 007 as his hire car.

Although the original Ka never starred on the silver screen, in the 12 years it has been on sale, the razor-sharp handling and Oscar-winning looks have kept it at the top of the city car class. And before being seen in Quantum of Solace, the wraps will be taken off the newcomer at the Paris Motor Show on 2 October.

WeтЂ™ll have to wait to try the next-generation car for ourselves, though. Expect an Auto Express first drive verdict towards the end of the year.