New Batmobile Packs a Punch of Old School Mopar Muscle

Director of upcoming Batman film shares a peek of new Batmobile, which was inspired by classic muscle. 

Riddle me this: Which one of Hollywood’s most enduring and beloved franchises is returning to screens again? That would be The Batman. Currently in production, the film will debut a new Bruce Wayne and a new Batmobile. Actor Robert Pattinson is taking over the role of the Caped Crusader. And the film’s director Matt Reeves is clearly very excited, recently sharing images of the new Batmobile to Twitter. And our first impression is that we love it.

Looking at this scale model, it is apparent that mopar and muscle cars play a big part in the car’s origin story. Specifically, the mighty mid-engined Dodge Charger.

Concept model maker Jeff Frost is the man behind Gotham’s coolest ride. And we give him credit from moving away from Corvette- and Lambo-inspired, to more classic American metal.

Over the years, the Batmobile has appeared on television and film in a number of incarnations. Each car and style has to fit the overall style and mood onscreen. Some were more sleek and futuristic, others gritty and audacious.

We really like the inspiration from classic muscle and hot rods. It feels like a modern, hi-po take on the Batmobile from the 1966 live action Batman television series. That car was a custom build by George Barris based off of Ford’s concept car named the Lincoln Futura.

We can see the inspiration from the original (pictured above). It is a smart and ambitious choice to take the Batmobile in a direction that incorporates past and present muscle and mopar.

Where it succeeds is in its presence. It already feels menacing and fierce, and has quite an imposing stance–as it should. And the car nicely adds in elements of Batman’s past rides from the comic books, as well. Playing with the the black and red palette is simple but very effective.

If we were chasing one of Gotham’s many villains, we would definitely love to be behind the wheel of a widebody custom Charger with that big, juicy V8. And we will always stan any classic muscle onscreen, especially when it is taking on such a high-visibility role.

Unfortunately, it will be somewhat of a wait to see the new Batmobile as The Batman has been delayed from its initial release date. But stay tuned…same Bat time, same Bat channel!

Photos: Twitter; 20th Century Fox

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S.J. Bryan

Longtime automotive journalist S.J. Bryan has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is an editor with Ford Truck Enthusiasts and regular contributor to F-150 Online, Harley-Davidson Forums, and The Mustang Source, among other popular auto sites.

Bryan first discovered her passion for all things automotive while riding in her parent's 1968 Ford Mustang. The automotive expert cut her teeth growing up riding on Harleys, and her first car was a Chevy Nova. Despite her lead foot, Bryan has yet to receive a speeding ticket.

The award-winning former playwright was first published at age 18. She has worked extensively as a writer and editor for a number of lifestyle and pop culture publications. The diehard gearhead is a big fan of American muscle cars, sixth-gen Ford trucks, and Oxford commas.

S.J. can be reached at sherryjbry@gmail.com.