How a unique Rolls-Royce engine powered the return of a bumbling British secret agent

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Eight years after his first outing, Johnny English returns from monastic exile in Tibet to stop an assassination plot. This 2011 spy comedy parody features a one-of-a-kind vehicle: a Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé fitted with an experimental 9.0 litre V16 engine, custom-installed specifically for Rowan Atkinson’s second turn as the iconic character.

Johnny English Reborn, directed by Oliver Parker, serves as the second installment in the spy comedy series. The plot follows English as he is recalled to MI7 by director Pamela 'Pegasus' Thornton to thwart a conspiracy involving a secret weapon and a group known as Vortex. His journey takes him from the mountains of Tibet to Hong Kong and eventually the Swiss Alps, where he must navigate betrayal and his own incompetence to save the Chinese premier.

The film’s production was notable for its commitment to automotive detail. The production team secured a rare 9.0 litre V16 engine—an experimental unit originally developed for testing purposes by Rolls-Royce—and installed it into the film's featured Phantom Coupé. This modification made the car a unique piece of machinery, distinct from any standard production model. Filming spanned several locations, including London, Hertfordshire, Hampshire, and Macau, with principal photography commencing in September 2010.

Critical reception of the film was mixed, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting a 40% approval rating from 88 critics. While some reviewers, such as Nikhat Kazmi, praised Atkinson’s comedic flair, others felt the film relied on tired spy genre clichés. Despite these critiques, the film performed well commercially, grossing over $160 million worldwide. It eventually paved the way for a third installment, Johnny English Strikes Again, which was released in 2018.

The narrative relies on a blend of slapstick and espionage tropes, including the use of a mind-control drug called Timoxeline Barbebutenol. English’s character arc involves recovering from the disgrace of a failed mission in Mozambique, which had previously cost him his knighthood. By the film's conclusion, he successfully redeems himself, though his penchant for accidental chaos remains a central theme, even during his final ceremony with the Queen.

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