Ever fantasized about owning a piece of cinematic history? Warner Bros. is going to make it a reality by selling 10 limited-edition Tumblers, the iconic Batmobiles used in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight series. Each Tumbler costs roughly $3 million, and it is constructed by Action Vehicle Engineering-a custom garage based in California and officially sanctioned by Warner Bros.
These Tumblers are fully functional, running vehicles – not street legal, mind you – just for show. Each will be fitted with a 6.2-liter LS3 powertrain, good for 525 horsepower, with a body made from Kevlar, carbon fiber, sheet metal, and fiberglass. Needless to say, they won’t be fitted with those gilt-edged jet engines or weapons like in the movies, but the team at Action Vehicle Engineering has made sure that these replicas are kept as original as possible but drivable for the select few who will buy them.
The Tumbler Batmobile resurfaced Batman’s vehicle in 2005’s Batman Begins. Gone was the sleek and futuristic design of the past, replaced by a hulking and militaristic look that emphasized functionality over flashiness. Designed to feel authentic, Nolan’s Batmobile had a great imposing presence-one of the more dramatic changes in the way the Batmobile would ever come across. The Tumbler became the fan favorite for its realistic, almost tactical feel-matching the gritty realism of Nolan’s trilogy.
Measuring a towering 15 feet long, 9 feet wide, and 4 feet high, the Tumbler weighs in at about 2.5 tons and reaches a top speed of 120 mph with acceleration that takes it from 0 to 60 in just under six seconds.
The Tumbler also boasts of the SuperMatic 4L85-E four-speed transmission and a set of four-wheel power disc brakes that give it tremendous stopping power. Perhaps the most astonishing feature of this car is its ability to make unassisted jumps up to 30 feet in a single bound, a nod to its design as a military-grade prototype vehicle.
If you want to own one of these beasts, you’ll have to be pretty quick-witted. The Tumblers come via invitation by the Wayne Enterprises Experience, a luxury brand inspired by the Batman franchise. Interested buyers will have to apply for their chance to purchase one because Warner Bros. will handpick the select few who go home with this piece of Batman lore.
It takes about 15 months to produce each Tumbler from the time a deposit is placed. If selected, that would mean one will have to wait a wee bit before taking his Batmobile for a spin-albeit in a private setting, as they are not street legal.
The decision to sell these Tumblers reflects Warner Bros.’ recognition of the iconic status which the vehicle has achieved. Since its first appearance, the Tumbler had come to represent Batman’s transformation-showing how the character changed to better mirror Dark Knight grit. The Tumbler is one of those few vehicles that enamor fans to this date and perhaps has a longevity unsurpassed by any of its predecessors, even those stylish designs from Tim Burton’s and Zack Snyder’s Batman movies.
The Batmobile inherently represents the essence of change in technology and design trends over the years. From its meek and mild beginnings in the 1940s to the fantastic designs of the 1960s, and all the way to the gothic look of Tim Burton’s films, each has engaged the fans in its own unique way.
With Nolan’s trilogy came the Tumbler-a complete change toward a realistic and functional design that fit perfectly with the dark tone of the movies. With Warner Bros. continuing to celebrate this iconic vehicle, the evolution of the Batmobile and its place in pop culture bring back a lot of memories among its fans. Owning a Tumbler is not about owning a car; it’s owning a piece of the Batman legacy.
