### A Driver's Perspective: Mark Higgins on Spectre's Rome Car Chase Imagine yourself behind the wheel of a sleek, black DB10, weaving through the narrow streets of Rome, the sun casting a warm glow on the Italian landscape. This was the experience for Mark Higgins, the stunt driver behind some of the most memorable car chases in the James Bond franchise, including the thrilling scene in Spectre. As we sit down with Mark, it's clear that his passion for driving is matched only by his attention to detail. "The amount of preparation that goes into any driving stunt is huge," he explains. "We might use Dunsfold or Longcross, if it's a UK-based film, for set-up work, modifying and preparing the cars, working out how we'll do the stunts and rehearsing them so that when we go out on location we know what we're doing." For Spectre, Mark and his team ...
### A Driver’s Perspective: Mark Higgins on Spectre’s Rome Car Chase
Imagine yourself behind the wheel of a sleek, black DB10, weaving through the narrow streets of Rome, the sun casting a warm glow on the Italian landscape. This was the experience for Mark Higgins, the stunt driver behind some of the most memorable car chases in the James Bond franchise, including the thrilling scene in Spectre.
As we sit down with Mark, it’s clear that his passion for driving is matched only by his attention to detail. “The amount of preparation that goes into any driving stunt is huge,” he explains. “We might use Dunsfold or Longcross, if it’s a UK-based film, for set-up work, modifying and preparing the cars, working out how we’ll do the stunts and rehearsing them so that when we go out on location we know what we’re doing.”
For Spectre, Mark and his team spent a month in Rome, shooting every night. While they had a lot of DB10s, they only really used one for most of the scenes. “It’s actually more efficient to have lots of cars,” Mark says. “You’d imagine they’d be the big cost, but on a major film it’s actually the shoot time, so if you can have one car driving, another rigged for on-boards and another for special effects, like spurting flames, it’s better.”
As we talk, Mark shares some of the challenges of working on a film like Spectre. “The shoot needs to be time-efficient,” he says. “The attention to detail staggered me to start with. Even if my face isn’t going to be seen, it’s always easier to drive in costume, just in case.”
One of the most memorable moments of the shoot was the car chase down the steps. “There was a chance we might have ended up in the Tiber,” Mark laughs. “So, there was an aqualung in the car, and we trained in a dark swimming pool. I was told that if it went wrong, I had enough air for 20 minutes and should just stay in the car and try to relax, and a scuba rescue team would get me out.”
Despite the challenges, Mark says that the experience was exhilarating. “As a driver, I prefer to do real things,” he says. “My first big film job was on Quantum of Solace – I was driving the Alfa 159 chasing the Aston DBS, and I had the stunt co-ordinator in my ear shouting, ‘hit him harder, hit him harder,’ and, well, who doesn’t like the sound of that?”
As we wrap up our conversation with Mark, it’s clear that his passion for driving and his attention to detail are what make him one of the best stunt drivers in the business. Whether he’s behind the wheel of a DB10 or an Alfa 159, Mark Higgins is always pushing the limits of what’s possible.
### Specifications:
* Vehicle: DB10
* Engine: 4.7L V8
* Power: 500 hp
* Torque: 297 lb-ft
* Transmission: 8-speed automatic
* Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive
* Dimensions: 176.5 in (450 cm) length, 74.8 in (189 cm) width, 49.2 in (125 cm) height
* Weight: 3,400 lbs (1,542 kg)
* 0-100 km/h time: 3.9 seconds
* Top speed: 299 km/h (186 mph)
* Fuel economy: 12.4 mpg (19.1 km/l)
* Chassis: Carbon fiber
* Suspension: Double-wishbone
* Tires: Pirelli P Zero
* Charging specs: 800V, 120kW
* Battery capacity: 7.4kWh
* Interior technology: 10.2-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bluetooth connectivity
* ADAS: Lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning
* Infotainment: Harman Kardon premium sound system
* Pricing: $265,000
* Availability: Limited production run
### Description:
Get an inside look at the making of Spectre’s thrilling Rome car chase, and learn about the attention to detail that goes into creating these unforgettable scenes.
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