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Cole Urrea, 5, peeks into the new Batmobile at the Star Theatre in Southfield. The redesigned vehicle, which has a starring role in the upcoming "Batman Begins," has pleased fans of the film series.Batman returns in a rugged ride
Redesigned Batmobile has an intimidating look, the heart of a tank and, oh, yeah -- it's a hybrid.
Dave Ragan, a driver for Warner Bros., gets to steer the new Batmobile and ensure its safe delivery at "Batman Begins" promotional stops nationwide.
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SOUTHFIELD -- Holy tailfins!
The Batmobile, a car buff's ultimate dream machine, has been redesigned for "Batman Begins" -- the latest installment of the movie franchise, which hits movie screens Wednesday.
This is definitely not your father's Batmobile. Gone are the clean lines and sleek profile that inspired generations of caped crusader fans. The new Batmobile is all business, from its menacing face to its 44-inch off-road rear tires.
And in keeping with the times, the new design is a hybrid -- though not the fuel-stingy, gasoline-electric variety currently coveted by car-buyers. The Batmobile's 5.7-liter Chevy V-8 is mated to a jet engine that enables the car to leap tall buildings in a ... wait, that's another superhero.
The Batmobile is on display today at the Star Southfield movie theater complex as Warner Brothers revs up its publicity machine for the movie's debut.
During a sneak preview of the vehicle Sunday, most theater-goers recognized it as Batman's ride -- despite the radical new design.
But not all were impressed. Seven-year-old Brianna Kennedy of Southfield said she preferred her family's Ford Explorer.
Her father, however, had other ideas. "I'd have fun driving her to school in that," said Brian Kennedy, 34. "It speaks to me. I like it."
"Batman Begins" producers call it a "sports tank," blending the sexiness of a high-performance car with the ruggedness of an SUV.
In the movie, the car is developed for military use by Gotham-based Wayne Enterprises. Called "The Tumbler," it is designed to move soldiers and equipment over hostile terrain -- hence its jet-powered jumping capability.
Working with director Christopher Nolan, production designer Nathan Crowley conceived the car's shape by combining scale models of Humvees and Lamborghinis. Professional car designers are impressed.
"I give the new Batmobile two thumbs up," said Patrick Schiavone, Ford Motor Co.'s director of car design. "The new Batmobile should be considered a character in the film, reflecting Chris Nolan's vision of a simpler, darker, more dramatic Batman."
Batman aficionado Bill Spencer also approves. Keeper of the Web site www.batmobilehistory.com., the resident of Hannacroix, N.Y., admits the 1966 Lincoln-based version and the 1989 Chevy/Oldsmobile iteration are sentimental favorites.
"As much as I like the polished look of the earlier Batmobiles, I appreciate the no-nonsense approach," Spencer said.
"From what I've seen of it in action, any aesthetic drawbacks are more than made up for by its performance."
Local NASCAR fans can see new Batmobile firsthand on Sunday, when it will serve as the pace car for the Batman Begins 400 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn.
Piloting the Batmobile will be Dave Ragan, a driver with Warner Bros.' transportation division. But for all intents and purposes, the 52-year-old California native is Bruce Wayne's mysterious alter ego.
"I am Batman," Ragan said Sunday only half-joking, as he unloaded The Tumbler Sunday.
Ragan is responsible for transporting the Batmobile around North America to promote the movie. As he drops into the driver's seat from the car's rooftop hatch, Ragan admits to harboring the occasional comic book fantasy and looks forward to testing it at Michigan International Speedway.
Track officials will dictate how fast he will navigate the two-mile oval. But the car was clocked at 105 mph during filming.
Eight Batmobiles were built for the movie. One was damaged en route to the set when it was struck by a drunk driver.
The summer movie season also features another high-profile car, the souped-up Volkswagen Beetle in "Herbie: Fully Loaded." And while the lightweight Love Bug may be faster, the Batmobile's front-mounted dual .50-caliber machine guns are a great equalizer.
"He might pass me, but that's it," Ragan said.
You can reach Eric Mayne at (313) 222-2443 or emayne@detnews.com.
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