THE ULTIMATE RIDE

Reflecting the art deco style of the newly redesigned Gotham City, the Batmobile from the 1989 Batman Movie wasn’t just built for stealth and speed — beneath the bodywork lies a wealth of hi-tech gadgets...


CONCEPT DESIGNS

Constructed from the fusion of two Chevrolet Impala chassis and powered by a Chevrolet V8 engine, the Batman movie Batmobile featured a custom-built body and a two-seat cockpit. Housed in the nose of the car was a turbo-charged jet engine, air-intakes for the afterburner were mounted before the rear fenders and a one-way windscreen concealed an interior that closely resembled an aircraft’s cockpit. Every detail on the car was handcrafted and reportedly over 70 coats of black acrylic paint were used on the bodywork.

THE BATMOBILE IN ACTION
GRAPPLING HOOK
Once attached to a structure, the grappling hook acts as an anchor, allowing the Batmobile to make extremely sharp turns at high speeds.

SHIELDING
The ceramic fractal armour proves invaluable in protecting the Batmobile when the Joker’s henchmen open fire on the stationary vehicle.

MACHINE GUNS
Rising from the body of the Batmobile, these twin machine guns help demolish the entrance to the Joker’s base of operations – Axis Chemical Factory.

DISC THROWER
Launched from either side of the Batmobile, the high velocity discs allow Batman to target and take down criminals on motorbikes, as seen in Batman Returns.

GRENADES
Used to disperse a gang of the Joker’s cronies and destroy the Axis Chemical Factory, these small explosives are deployed from the centre of each wheel.

HYDRAULIC LIFT
The hydraulic lift allows the Batmobile to make a complete 180 degree turn on the spot, which can be extremely handy when caught in a dead end.
IN BATMAN’S FIRST TRIP TO THE BIG SCREEN SINCE 1966, HE FACED A BLEAK GOTHAM CITY, OVER-RUN WITH CRIME AND ABOUT TO SEE THE RISE OF ITS FIRST COSTUMED CRIMINAL – THE JOKER. THE BATMOBILE DESIGNED FOR THIS DARKER VERSION OF THE CAPED CRUSADER WAS UNLIKE ANYTHING THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SEEN.