And wherever the confused former CIA spy goes, crazy car chases ensue.

To celebrate the launch of the concluding part of the thrilling trilogy, Adrian Hearn looks at the best car chases in the films.

He’s America’s James Bond. But former CIA agent Jason Bourne – played by Matt Damon – couldn’t be further removed from the world’s most famous spy.

While Bond swoops around European casinos in tailored suits and handmade shoes, Bourne staggers around in a worn-out fisherman’s jumper with a holdall over his shoulder.

While Bond favours Aston Martins, BMWs, Jaguars and Land Rovers, Bourne drives a battered old Mini.

But in a high-octane car chase, set against the background of a cosmopolitan city, the Mini’s scene-stealing heroics triumph over the British spy’s supercar spectacle every time.

Say hello to the normal cars performing supernormal moves.

The Bourne Identity

Mini – worth £500

After French police locate the fugitive Bourne, an incredible car chase ensues through packed Parisian streets. With Paul Oakenfold’s Ready, Steady, Go as a soundtrack, Bourne and his lady friend Marie drive through narrow street after narrow street, down steps, pulling more handbrake turns than Russ Swift.

Citroen ZX - £750

Chasing the Mini is a hatchback cop car from the Citroen stable. Originally intended as a rival to the Peugeot 306, the ZX’s sales never really reached expectations. But on the city’s streets - driven by a adrenaline-fuelled, slightly insane stunt driver - it more than holds its own.

The Bourne Supremacy

Maruti Gypsy - £750

Having given the CIA the slip, Bourne lies low in Goa until he’s found by a Russian assassin driving a Hyundai Sonata. Cue a high-octane chase through trees, fields and poorly maintained tracks. The car meets its maker after a spectacular bridge fall.  

Volga taxi - £750

In this climactic car chase Bourne is speeding through Moscow in a Russian-built Volga taxi pursued by the assassin Kirill in a Mercedes G-Class. If trying to evade a mercenary isn’t bad enough, having to do it in a Russian car not famed for its speed, handling or sturdiness adds to the job.

And against a solid German 4x4 like the Merc, Bourne’s underdog status is amplified.  But Hollywood loves an underdog – and the super-hard Bourne comes out victorious.

And finally

In The Bourne Ultimatum, the quality of cars is improved with an Audi A6 –driven off the top of a multi-storey car park in reverse, and a particularly solid Volkswagen Touareg involved in the breathtaking climax.

The final car chase through Brooklyn, New York took six weeks to film with stunt co-ordinators using remote controls to drive cars in one of the most action-packed finales of the decade.

So how does Bourne get on in his quest to track down the man who trained him?

You’ll have to visit the cinema to find out.