The Batmobile Biography, History

History
The Batman's most useful weapon in his war against crime is the Batmobile, the black thunderbolt that knifes through Gotham's streets when danger threatens. The vehicle has undergone many design changes over the years: in the earliest days of Batmans career, it was a giant armor plated sedan; advanced automotive technology has turned the Batmobile into the sleek street machine The Dark Knight currently drives.

The Batmobile's chasis is constructed of an amazingly light experimental titanium alloy and is coated with a unique bullet proof ceramic, as are its one-way mirrored windshields; consequently, the Batmobile can easily withstand any handgun or semi-automatic weapon assault, and has a limited resistance even to armor piercing bullets. It's puncture proof tires are impervious to routine damage, as well.

The Batmobiles exterior weapons include spinning tire slashers that extend from the Batmobiles hubcaps. 
Rear portals emit smokescreens and oil slicks that help protect Batman from being followed too closely. Inside the Batmobile's dashboard is packed with aircraft-style instrmentation; a microwave linked terminal that allows Batman access to the computer in the Batcave; a police shortwave; a mechanism that automatically opens the hidden doors to the Batcave; and an illuminated navigation system that is linked to the special tracers that the Batman to track his prey. The batmobile carries two other custom-crafted pieces of equipment: behind the dashboard is the most sophisticated anti-theft protection imaginable; behind the drivers seat is a miniature crime lab.

The Batmobile is powered by a front mounted, 1500 HP gas turbine engine.  The engine burns 97% octane aircraft fuel and can bring the Batmobile from 0 to 90 mph in 5.2 seconds.  With its multi speed transmission, the car's top cruising speed is 225 mph;  the Batmobile is also equipped with a separate afterburner that can for brief distances, boost the vehicle's speed to 350 miles per hour.

DC Who's Who In The DC Universe #5, December 1990,Text Mark Waid, Published Monthly By DC Comics Inc.