James Bond back in an Aston Martin

Secret agent James Bond will drive an Aston Martin in the next 007 film, Casino Royale.

Details of the car and its traditional arsenal of high-tech weaponry are being kept secret until nearer the film's opening this year, but Aston Martin did confirm it would be a new model called the DBS.

Daniel Craig, who will play Bond, visited Aston Martin's headquarters in England to meet company chairman and chief executive Dr Ulrich Bez, and to take a short test drive.

"It's great news that Bond will drive an Aston Martin again," said Bez. "We have built him something special to enable him to do his job in style."

The association with the marque began in 1964 with the film Goldfinger, when the DB5 was fitted with extras such as ejector seats and rockets.

The last Bond film, Die Another Day, featured Aston Martin's flagship model, the Vanquish.

Casino Royale will be produced by Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for Eon Productions.