Fast & Furious is a long-running movie franchise that – once upon a time – was all about illegal street racing and stealing stereos from transport vehicles. The more modern installments keep the love affair with vehicles intact, only now with added complex espionage, dark horse family members, and convoluted action scenes that defy all laws of known physics.
Despite the series’ dabble into the silly from the (relatively) grounded earlier installments, and with many not receiving positive critical acclaim, the franchise is far from running out of gas; an 11th entry is slated to release in the year 2023 (at time of writing).
From the myriad of vehicles that have made an appearance over the years, let’s take a concise look at the 10 memorable ones.
Suki’s Honda S2000 (2 Fast 2 Furious)
Love it or hate it, the neon-pink Honda S2000 driven by Suki (Devon Aoki) is easily one of the franchise’s most iconic vehicles, and one of the very few closely associated with the movies.
The S2000 is an open top sports car developed by Honda. Starting life as a concept car by the name of Sport Study Model, it was first introduced at the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show. When the production (i.e. road legal) version began in 1999, the engineers at the company borrowed heavy inspiration from the concept model.
The “S” in the name refers to sport, and is a continuation of similarly-named Honda roadsters from the 1960s. The “2000” is a reference to both the engine displacement of two liters and the model year 2000.
The vehicle that appears in the movie is fitted with a VeilSide Millenium body kit with a House of Kolor Hot Pink paint job. The airbrushed decal – depicting a female character with long, flowing ponytail and embellished with swirling pinstripes – was done by fine artist, Noah Elias.
Currently the car is a permanent addition to the Petersen Automotive Museum.
Volkswagen Touran (Tokyo Drift)
Notwithstanding its status as ‘comical’ car, the author believes this Hulk-themed Touran best represents what car customization is all about: a visual representation of the owner’s personality. Driven by one of the series’ most nicest characters, Twinkie (Shad “Bow Wow” Moss), the Touran is a lovably eccentric presence.
Adorned with extruding punches, an envious green paint job, and a snarling Hulk comic art at the front, the Touran has a brief albeit memorable appearance in Tokyo Drift. The artist behind the art is unknown (as per the author’s knowledge), but there seems to be a resemblance to Bill Mantlo’s take on the monster.
It’s interesting to note that the movie came out at the height of Pimp My Ride – a guilty pleasure piece of television that everyone saw but no-one willingly admits to. I mention this because Twinkie’s Touran has a PMR-esque quality to it: most evident by the subwoofers and TV screens on display.
Overall, the Touran is easily one of the most eccentric vehicles ever to appear in the Fast & Furious franchise. It may be seen as comical to some, but it represents the creative and unique spirit of car customization.
Lykan HyperSport (F7)
For many, Furious 7 is the best entry in the series, largely due to it being Paul Walker’s final film and the poignant ending tribute. It is also home to one of the most ludicrous scenes in the franchise, in which we see a Lykan HyperSport crashing from skyscraper to skyscraper.
In a brief moment of solid acting, an equally impressed and pissed-off Brian O’ Conner (Paul Walker) gives us a CliffsNotes rundown on the car: “Do you realize what this is? Lykan HyperSport. $3.4 million, 0-60 in less than 3 seconds. There’s seven of these in the world and this guy keeps it locked up in a vault.”
Manufactured by W Motors, the HyperSport is the first sports car to be designed in the Middle East, though some body parts were produced in Germany and assembled in Italy. One of the extremely few customers of the car are the Abu Dhabi Police who, among others, have also in their fleet the Lamborghini Huracan, Rolls-Royce Phantom, and the Ford F150.
An interesting fact to note is W Motors actually made more replicas (10) than actual units (7). Out of the 10, all but one were destroyed during filming. The remaining replica was returned to the W Motors showroom, where it currently resides.
Nissan 350Z (Tokyo Drift)
Owned by Tokyo Drift’s main antagonist, Takashi (Brian Tee), this beast of a drifting machine is perhaps the series’ most aesthetically pleasing vehicle.
The Nissan 350Z – also known as Fairlady Z (Z33) – is fitted with a VeilSide Ver.3 body kit and finished with a House of Kolor Black paint job with Ghostlight scarab decal. The resulting effect is as intimidating and sleek as DK’s drifting skills.
Sean’s Lancer EVO (Tokyo Drift)
The Evolution – or Evo as it’s more commonly known – is the sports version of the Lancer. One of the more visually ‘normal’ vehicles, this Evo is fitted with an APR body kit and House of Kolor Red paint job. It also has an aesthetically pleasing spoiler (maybe even the franchise’s best) and a series of graphics plastered all over the car.
Owned by Sean Boswell (Lucas Black), the Evo is a centerpiece of a rather memorable montage in which we see the protagonist attempting to learn the art of drifting (and failing badly). Real-life drift king, Keiichi Tsuchiya, makes a cameo appearance in which he initially goes from insulting the character to finally earning his respect.
Veilside Mazda RX-7 Fortune (Tokyo Drift)
If there’s one car that made itself synonymous with the series, it has to be the 1997 Mazda RX-7. If the Nissan Silvia is the ‘Mona Lisa’, then this one is certainly the ‘Last Supper’.
The RX-7’s sleek design and aerodynamic curves make it a standout vehicle on its own, but it’s the addition of the VeilSide body kit that really sets it apart – perhaps the most famous example of the company’s cinematic contribution. The kit, which includes a front bumper, side skirts, and a rear diffuser, gives the car a more aggressive and muscular appearance, while also improving its handling and performance.
The House of Kolor Orange and Black paint job on the RX-7 also adds to the car’s visual appeal. The vibrant orange color, contrasted with the black accents and stripes, makes the car stand out even more and adds to its overall sense of power and speed.
But it’s not just the exterior that makes the RX-7 a fan favorite. The car’s rotary engine, which is known for its unique sound and high-revving capabilities, adds an extra layer of excitement to its performance.
Plymouth Roadrunner (Most films)
Despite its tough muscle car appearance, the Plymouth Road Runner has a surprisingly whimsical backstory. The car’s name and visual design were inspired by the classic Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner cartoons, with its sleek and aerodynamic lines meant to capture the spirit of the fast bird.
But it’s not just the exterior that pays homage to the cartoon character. The Road Runner’s horn also borrows the distinctive “beep beep” sound from the fast bird, adding an extra layer of playful charm to the car’s design.
The Road Runner has been featured in multiple installments, but this author’s favorite is the version that Dom (Vin Diesel) drives near the end of Fast 7. Decked out in a bold orange paint job and equipped with a powerful V8 engine, it is the centerpiece of a memorable car chase sequence that culminates in a car-totalling game of chicken.
The Road Runner is not just a car with a playful backstory, but a subtle nod to the franchise’s own whimsical take on reality. In both the cartoons and the movies, physics are defied and the impossible becomes possible. The Road Runner is a perfect tongue-in-cheek embodiment of that spirit.
1970 Dodge Charger R/T (Most films)
The 1970 Dodge Charger R/T is a major car that’s primarily owned by Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel). It is, in every sense of the word, an icon of the series. Featuring in multiple movies throughout the series, this black beauty is a fan favorite for its menacing appearance and raw power.
The car’s sleek black exterior, iconic blower scoop, and aggressive stance make it a true head-turner on the streets. If there’s one car that perfectly embodies the character of Dom, it has to be this one…
… and the off-road variant that appears in Furious 7. Given a Mad Max-esque make-over, this beast is part of a wildly entertaining sequence which involves cars being airdropped from a plane and engaging in an off-road chase. The car is heavily modified for performance, with a supercharged Hemi V8 engine that produces over 900 horsepower.
The Charger R/T commands attention, and one that perfectly captures the spirit of the Fast & Furious franchise.
Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R (2 Fast 2 Furious)
Brian O’Connor’s Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R is another iconic vehicle from the Fast & Furious franchise. This blue beauty is a fan favorite for its sleek design, impressive performance, and close association with Brian (Paul Walker), one of the franchise’s most beloved characters.
The Skyline R34 GT-R’s most memorable appearance is in the movie “2 Fast 2 Furious,” where it is used in an adrenaline-fueled street race. The car is heavily modified for performance, with a twin-turbocharged 2.6-liter inline-six engine that produces over 500 horsepower.
But it’s not just the Skyline’s performance that makes it a standout vehicle. The car’s House of Kolor Platinum Silver and blue stripe paint job, distinctive front grille, and rear wing make it a true head-turner on the streets.
Gurkha LAPV (Fast Five)
For a character played by a former wrestler who quips memorable lines such as “I’m the cavalry!” I cannot imagine a car more fitting than the Gurkha LAPV armored vehicle.
The Gurkha LAPV is manufactured by Terradyne Armored Vehicles, a Canadian company that specializes in producing tactical and armored vehicles. The name is a homage to the Gurkhas: Nepali soldiers who serve in the British Army. The LAPV stands for Light Armored Patrol Vehicle. It is based on the Ford F550 chassis, but with a heavy-duty suspension, custom wheels, and a body that can withstand high-powered weapons.
In the movie, the Gurkha LAPV is driven by the character of Hobbs (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) during the epic chase scene in Abu Dhabi. It is fitted with a custom paint job and a set of off-road tires, making it look both intimidating and stylish at the same time.
With only a few in existence, the Gurkha LAPV is a rare and exclusive vehicle favored by military and law enforcement agencies around the world.
Overall, the Gurkha LAPV is a true powerhouse of a vehicle, perfectly suited for the adrenaline-fueled world of the Fast & Furious franchise.
What car do you like the best from the franchise? Let us know in the comments below.
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