The cars of Batman

Vijay Pattni rounds up the cars behind Gotham city’s mysterious Dark Knight – including the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640.

The Dark Knight stars Christian Bale as the enigmatic Bruce Wayne – a millionaire playboy who can afford some of the hottest cars on the planet…

2008 Batmobile – “The Tumbler” (From Batman Begins/The Dark Knight)

The new-look Batman films, starting with 2005's Batman Begins showcased a new-look Batmobile.

Nicknamed “The Tumbler”, the new Batmobile is a custom-built 2.5-tonne ex-military vehicle which uses a 5.7-litre Chevrolet V8 engine with enough power to accelerate the massive Batmobile from 0-60mph in around five seconds.

And the “Tumbler”, which recently made a cameo appearance at Silverstone racing alongside a Toyota F1 racer, uses truck parts and sports six 37-inch wheels, with enough power to JUMP up to 18 metres.

View images of the cars of Batman

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 (From Batman Begins/The Dark Knight)

The Lamborghini Murcielago is Bruce’s Wayne's ‘subtle’ car – his daily driver.

The Lambo is fitted with a 6.5-litre V12 engine developing 640bhp – more than a Ferrari Enzo – and 487lb/ft of pulling power.

This means the Lamborghini Murcielago can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 3.4 seconds and hit a top speed of 211mph.

The Murcielago used in Batman Begins was the roadster (convertible).

View more images of the Lamborghini LP640

Bentley Arnage (From Batman Begins)

Michael Caine – who made his name in iconic 1960s films The Italian Job and Alfie – takes up the role as Bruce Wayne’s multi-talented Butler, Alfred Pennyworth.

In 2005’s Batman Begins, Alfred drives the luxurious Bentley Arnage: a two-tonne four-door saloon powered by a 6.75-litre V8 engine developing more than 400bhp.

This means the Arnage can accelerate from 0-62mph in around five seconds and hit a top speed of 170mph.

1995 Batmobile (From Batman Forever)

Val Kilmer played the lead role of the caped crusader in 1995’s camped-up Batman Forever.

The Batmobile was a custom-built vehicle using a Chevrolet 350 ZZ3 racing engine from 1995, built out of carbon fibre, and featured grappling hooks and could theoretically climb walls.

View images of the cars of Batman

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (From Batman Forever)

In 1995’s Batman Forever, Bruce Wayne’s priceless collection of classic cars is showcased, displaying the millionaire playboy’s petrolhead playthings.

And sitting in Bruce’s garage is a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL – one of the world’s very first “supercars”, and the first petrol-powered car to offer fuel injection.

View more images of supercars

Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith (From Batman Returns)

Bruce Wayne’s secret alter ego Batman is assisted by his loyal family butler Alfred Pennyworth, who has looked after Bruce following the death of his parents.

And in 1992’s Batman Returns, Alfred is seen driving an effortlessly elegant Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith from 1950, which features a 4.3-litre straight six petrol engine.

The Silver Wraith was made at the Crewe factory, and has been used as the Irish and Brazilian presidential state cars.

1989 Batmobile (From Batman)

The one which started Batman’s descent into darkness… director Tim Burton showcased a completely new Batman to cinema audiences across the world with his iconic film.

Starring comedian Michael Keaton 1989’s Batman was a romp of style over substance. Legendary designer Anton Furst styled the new-look Batmobile.

And according to reports, the Batmobile was built in England on chassis found in local scrapyards – one from a Chevrolet Caprice and another from a Buick Riviera, featuring a jet turbine in its nose and a Chevrolet V8 engine under the long bonnet.

Dodge 3700 GT (From Batman)

Batman’s legendary adversary The Joker was made famous to cinema audiences across the world by Jack Nicholson in 1989’s Batman film.

And the “Clown Prince of Crime” was seen driving an old Dodge 3700 GT – in his trademark colours of purple and green.

1966 Batmobile (From the television series Batman)

Before Bale and Burton transformed Batman into a troubled, modern-day crime-fighter, Batman was known and loved across the world as a camp crusader.

Adam West played Batman in the classic television series of the mid-1960s, featuring his sidekick Robin, and unforgettable fight scenes.

This Batmobile was designed by George Barris – a Hollywood custom car builder – using a Ford concept car called the Lincoln Futura.

And in the very first televised Batman series – shown in the 1940s – the caped crusader rolled around in a standard black Cadillac and a Mercury convertible.

View images of the cars of Batman

Check out the "The Tumbler" from The Dark Knight at Silverstone: