The subject of the new James Bond car is always topical. From the original Sunbeam Alpine (Dr. No) to the most recent Aston Martin DBS; Bond’s vehicles are always a hot topic for film and car enthusiasts alike. Throughout the Bond franchise 007 has been provided with a range of stylish and slick models from Q, which have had petrol heads salivating at the mouth.

As the films have progressed in style and audience so have the vehicles of choice. Gone are the days when Bond’s vehicle simply needed to have beauties swooning at the knees. Nowadays, Bond’s model range is likely to include more gadgets than your local B&Q and must be able to perform more tricks than The Magic Circle.

As of yet, the new Bond title is unknown. The 23rd Bond film is rumoured to act as the third in the trilogy, which began with Casino Royale, but the future of the film is currently in doubt. MGM cash woes, creative differences and a busy leading actor have already pushed the release date back to 2012 and, with filming yet to commence, even that date is now looking doubtful.

If, and when, filming does begin, Bond is going to need a new car but what could it be? The rumour mill is already starting to go into overdrive about what exactly the vehicle of choice will be. So here are the top 10 most likely candidates – which would all be more than suitable to escort our favourite agent around an exciting location.

1. Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport: The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is the car on the tip of everyone’s tongue at the moment. The most exciting car to be produced in a long time is capable of reaching 0-60 in just 2.6 seconds and is officially the fastest road car in the world. Fitted with a 16 cylinder engine, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is anything but meek. This bold and brash vehicle is exactly what 007 should be throwing around the streets of Monte Carlo and with a price tag of at least $1,700,000, it is even in his price range.

2. Carlsson C25: The new limited edition Carlsson C25 made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year and what an impression it made. The C25 is a show stopping sports coupe with 735 hp. It powers from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and can reach a top speed of 201mph – perfect for special agents. Interested? Think again! Carlsson are only making 25 C25s in order to maintain exclusivity and, you guessed it, the delivery quota for 2010 has sold out already!

3. Pagani Zonda Tricolore: The Zonda Tricolore has everything you’d expect from Pagani. Sleek and state of the art, the special edition Zonda is constructed from a special carbon-titanium weave which helps to give it a futuristic feel. The new Zonda Tricolore has been produced to honour the Italian Tricolore aerobatics squadron and as a result will only be available to purchase for 3 lucky drivers. Titanium exhausts and a sequential gearbox means the car can reach 217 mph and can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 3.2 seconds. The Zonda Tricolore’s exclusivity means it’s in demand and, as a result, does not come cheap. The damage? A cool €1.3 million each.

4. Koenigsegg Agera: The Koenigsegg Agera was another model which made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show and its shapely bodywork meant it fit in perfectly with the other supercars on display. The latest model from Koenigsegg boasts 910 hp which means it can reach a staggering top speed of 245 mph. The “evolutionary” Agera comes with a 4.7 litre V8 engine and a body made from carbon fibre meaning it can power from 0-62 mph in just 3.1 seconds. It runs on E85 biofuel making it cleaner and greener than some of its supermodel competitors. However, with a steep price tag of at least £750,000 the Koenigsegg Agera is a vehicle which is reserved for only the biggest earners.

5. Bentley Continental GTC Supersports: The Bentley Continental GTC Supersports is exactly the type of elegant model that the nation’s top agent should be seen in. The Continental GTC Supersports boasts all the sophistication and class that you’d expect from Bentely but unlike other Bentely models it has a little something extra. The “most powerful Bentley road car ever” can reach speeds in excess of 200 mph thanks to an impressive 621 bhp engine, which is boosted by an advanced all-wheel drive system. Available to run with bio-ethanol, petrol or a combination of both; it’s hard to find fault with the new Bentely offering.

6. McLaren F1: The McLaren F1 might not be as new as some of the other models on this list but that doesn’t mean it should be discounted. The F1 features a 6 litre BMW engine which is capable of 0-60 mph in as little as 3.1 seconds. A central driving position with 2 offset rear passenger seats bring a sense of Formula One to the model, while key features like a fully carbon fibre monocoque structure led the model to be billed as “the finest driving machine yet to be built for public roads”. Top speeds of 231 mph mean the F1 may be older than its competitors but it can still hold its own with the modern candidates.

7. Porsche 918 Spyder: The new Porsche 918 Spyder may be just a concept but it was certainly a stand out model at the Geneva Motor Show. The hybrid supercar mixes petrol and electric power for outstanding results. When running on hybrid mode it emits just 70g/km of CO2 and can hit an estimated 94 mpg. In addition, it boasts a 500 hp 3.4 litre V8 engine which can top speeds of 198 mph and is blessed with looks which makes Bond’s other vehicles look like they should belong in the scrap yard. Given the green light last month, Porsche have confirmed that they’ll be producing a limited number of Porsche 918s in the next 5 years so you’ll need to be quick if you want to bag one.

8. Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera: The Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera outputs a momentous 561 hp from its 5.2 litre V10 engine and is easily the best edition of the popular Gallardo to date. Lighter than the Porsche Boxster, the new Gallardo has trimmed weight thanks to lightweight aluminium wheels and the clever use of carbon fibre throughout the body. Far from subtle; the model’s exotic  colour means it’s bound to get the attention it so rightly deserves. The price tag? Still to be announced but it certainly won’t be cheap!

9. Ferrari 599 HY KERS: The Ferrari 599 HY KERS is another great contender for Bond 23. The model is a hybrid version of the 599 GTB Fiorano and was debuted at the Geneva Motor Show to great applause. Ultra light-weight batteries and a rear-mounted 108 hp electric motor combine with Ferrari’s usual 620 hp V12 to dramatically improve CO2 output and mpg. A bold green body boasts curves which even the most beautiful Bond girls would envy, while key improvements mean the latest 599 strips 0.6 seconds off the 0-124 mph record set by the previous model.

10. SSC Ultimate Aero TT: When we’re thinking about high profile sports cars there’s no way we could forget the SSC Ultimate Aero TT. Officially the second fastest car in the world; the SSC Ultimate Aero TT can reach 0-60 in just 2.7 seconds and it boasts a mega twin-turbo V8 engine with 1183 hp. Seen by many as the best supercar in the world, the SSC Ultimate Aero TT combines extreme power with a lightweight and aerodynamic body to produce one of the best handling systems ever seen. Perfect for chasing bad guys, the SCC Ultimate Aero TT could be the perfect vehicle for the modern James Bond.