As moviegoers, we're often dazzled by the audacious and awe-inspiring technology showcased in films. Cars, in particular, have been a staple of many blockbuster films. Decked out with mind-boggling gadgets, they dazzle us, even though we know that they are made-up inventions and are overall pretty questionable. Let's take a fun ride through five completely unrealistic car gadgets featured in some of our favourite flicks.
1. James Bond's Submarine Car in "The Spy Who Loved Me"
Arguably one of the most iconic cars in film history, Bond's Lotus Esprit S1 from "The Spy Who Loved Me" captivated audiences with its ability to transition seamlessly from land to water. With a flip of a switch, the car transforms into a fully functional submarine, complete with torpedoes, surface-to-air missiles, and even an ink dispenser. As cool as it seems, the reality is that it's far from practical. The pressure at even relatively shallow depths would pose a serious threat to a vehicle not designed for undersea operations, and the changeover from car to submarine would require a degree of mechanical transformation currently beyond our capabilities.
Image by Achim Scholty from Pixabay
2. Doc Brown's Flying Delorean in "Back to the Future Part II"
Doc Brown's Delorean is the poster child for "Back to the Future." In the second movie, it's upgraded with a flying mode and uses garbage as fuel! While scientists are constantly exploring alternative fuels, there's nothing yet that can convert a banana peel and a beer can into a viable power source for a vehicle. And as for flying cars, well, we're not quite there yet. Apart from a few prototypes, we're far from seeing skyways filled with commuter cars.
Image by Dave Tavres from Pixabay
3. The Tumbler's Bridge Builder in "The Dark Knight"
When a section of the road is missing, Batman's Tumbler simply fires a grappling hook and drags itself across the gap. The grappling hook and cable would need to withstand incredible forces to support the weight of a vehicle in motion, and anchoring the hook securely in a split second seems equally far-fetched. Not to mention the potential traffic congestion this impromptu bridge-building would cause!
Image by Neri Vill from Pixabay
4. The Remote Control Aston Martin in "Tomorrow Never Dies"
In this Bond classic, 007 uses his trusty Ericsson mobile phone to control his Aston Martin remotely. The car can be driven and can shoot weapons from the tiny device. While we have seen advancements in remote control tech, the level of sophistication depicted is beyond our current reach. The integration of weapons into a car, not to mention the legal implications, is another aspect that remains firmly in the realm of movie magic.
Image by Peter Wolf from Pixabay
5. KITT's Turbo Boost in "Knight Rider"
The talking car KITT, from the TV series "Knight Rider," can engage "Turbo Boost" to jump over obstacles. As awesome as it sounds, we can't defy the laws of physics. Cars don't have the necessary propulsion to get airborne and clear obstacles without ramp assistance, and the landings would likely be catastrophic to both the car and passengers.
Photo by Igor Dedik
While these gadgets stretch the boundaries of believability, they contribute to the charm and excitement of movies. After all, we turn to cinema for its thrilling escape, allowing us to temporarily suspend our disbelief and immerse ourselves in a world of impossible technology. And who knows, maybe some of these outlandish inventions will become a reality in the future. For now, we'll continue enjoying them on the big screen.
