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Love it or loathe it, the Fast and the Furious series has become the most significant phenomenon in automotive pop culture over the past 15 years. Since the first movie hit the screens in 2001, the franchise has showcased hundreds of cars, driving, drifting, and ultimately meeting their demise across seven films. With the highly anticipated release of the eighth movie, The Fate of the Furious, on April 14, it’s only fitting that we revisit the most unforgettable automobiles that have graced the series thus far. Ready to embark on this thrilling ride?
Toyota Supra (The Fast and the Furious)
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In 2001, The Fast and the Furious brought Japanese performance cars to the forefront of mainstream culture like never before. The vibrant Creamsicle-orange paint and eye-catching graphics on this Toyota Supra may seem outdated today, but back then, it was the epitome of coolness.
Beyond its striking appearance, the Mark IV Supra held its ground as one of the all-time greats in the tuner world, representing an era in the 1990s when Japanese automakers dominated the industry. In one memorable scene, Paul Walker’s character, Brian O’Connor, outshines a Ferrari F355 in this Supra – a moment that never fails to leave viewers in awe. Smoke ’em!
Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 (Fast and Furious)
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While the R34-generation Skyline GT-R played a prominent role in 2 Fast 2 Furious, we prefer the cleaner look of the model showcased in the fourth installment, Fast and Furious. Even in its simple blue styling, the R34 manages to exude undeniable allure.
Before the current R35 generation, the GT-R was based on the Japanese-market Nissan Skyline and was not available in the United States. This rarity transformed it into a legendary vehicle adored by countless fans who grew up racing it in the virtual realm of Gran Turismo.
Dodge Charger (The Fast and the Furious)
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Dominic Toretto, played by Vin Diesel, has driven some variation of the Dodge Charger in nearly every movie of the series. This iconic vehicle set a precedent for the franchise and cemented its place as a menacing force on the screen. Clad in pitch-black attire, equipped with a monstrous blower protruding from the hood, and capable of epic wheelies, the Charger’s sheer presence is undeniable.
As one of the most renowned American muscle cars, the second-generation Dodge Charger has graced numerous movies and television shows, from The Dukes of Hazzard to Bullitt. This resilient automobile has proven time and again that it is here to stay.
Yenko Camaro (2 Fast 2 Furious)
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Sometimes, true American muscle has no substitute. While most of the cars featured in 2 Fast 2 Furious showcased the cheesiest aspects of the import tuner scene, the film also introduced one of the highlights from the golden age of muscle cars.
During that period, the enterprising Chevrolet dealer Don Yenko crafted a Camaro that Chevrolet itself wouldn’t produce, elevating it with a more powerful engine nestled under its self-proclaimed “supercar” hood. Besides being undeniably cool, the Yenko Camaro starred in one of 2 Fast 2 Furious’ most memorable action scenes – an improbable jump onto a moving yacht.
Mazda RX-7 (The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift)
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Throughout the Fast and the Furious franchise, we’ve witnessed a multitude of wildly modified cars. However, the FD-generation RX-7 takes the crown for being the most radical of them all. Its Veilside body kit transforms this Mazda rotary sports car into a machine barely recognizable by its roots. Unfortunately, just like its driver, Sung Kang’s Han, the RX-7 meets an unfortunate end.
The FD marked the final generation of the RX-7, elevating the rotary-engine sports car to unprecedented levels of performance and prestige. Although Mazda revisited the rotary engine in the early 2000s with the RX-8, that model failed to replicate the impact of its predecessor. Enthusiasts have eagerly awaited the resurgence of a new rotary-powered Mazda since the RX-8 ceased production in 2012, and in 2015, Mazda teased fans with the RX-Vision concept.
Ford Mustang (The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift)
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Debates may ensue about whether this Ford Mustang truly belongs among the “best” cars in the Fast and Furious saga, but its impact is undeniable. Instead of the traditional American V8 engine, it is propelled by the RB26DETT inline-six sourced from a Nissan Skyline GT-R – a surprising and unconventional swap.
In the movie, this unorthodox transformation is driven by necessity. The characters needed a drift car, and the only vehicle on hand was the engineless Mustang. Ironically, in the real world of drifting, many competitors follow the reverse approach, swapping American V8s into Japanese chassis to maximize sideways prowess.
Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport (Fast 5)
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Despite its brief on-screen presence in Fast 5, this open-top Corvette delivered an exhilarating few minutes. It leaped off a train amidst gunfire, embarked on an epic jump, and concluded its journey with a thrilling drive off a cliff. Talk about action-packed excitement.
This particular Corvette, a 1963 Grand Sport, should not be confused with the modern versions based on the C7-generation Corvette. The 1963 Grand Sport, a lightweight variant built for racing, was a pet project of Zora Arkus-Duntov, the Corvette’s chief engineer. Only five original cars were ever produced, and the ones featured in the movie were replicas from Mongoose Motorsports.
Jensen Interceptor (Fast & Furious 6)
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As the franchise unfolds, the car choices become increasingly intriguing. Having seemingly exhausted all the obvious options, the recent movies have showcased more unconventional selections, such as the Jensen Interceptor. Jeremy Clarkson, the avid automotive enthusiast, would undoubtedly approve.
Apart from having one of the coolest names among production vehicles, the Interceptor emerged as a result of an unusual combination of elements. Built by the British small-batch manufacturer Jensen, it featured a Chrysler V8 engine and styling from Italy’s Touring design house. Jensen even produced an all-wheel-drive FF version, making it one of the first road cars to possess such a feature.
Dodge Challenger (Furious 7)
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One of the Fast and the Furious franchise’s least probable but most exhilarating stunts involved dropping this car out the back of a plane. In the time it took to load the vehicles onto the aircraft, fly to the drop site, and parachute back to the ground, they probably could have driven there instead.
Nevertheless, this late-model Challenger appeared incredibly cool on screen with Michelle Rodriguez’s Letty Ortiz in the driver’s seat. The combination of retro graphics, a “shaker” hood, and Mad Max-style front armor is undeniably captivating. This won’t be the final appearance of a Challenger in the series, as Dodge has pulled out all the stops for The Fate of the Furious, providing an entire fleet of vehicles for the crew to demolish.
W Motors Lykan Hypersport (Furious 7)
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In the seventh installment, Dom and his crew ventured into Abu Dhabi. Naturally, they couldn’t resist featuring the United Arab Emirates’ very own W Motors Lykan Hypersport – the region’s first supercar. This masterpiece enjoyed a brief moment of glory as it leaped between three skyscrapers.
Unfamiliar with the Hypersport? This $3.4 million luxury beast ranks among the most expensive cars worldwide. Equipped with a 3.7-liter turbocharged flat-six engine developed by the renowned Porsche tuner Ruf, it churns out a breathtaking 770 horsepower. This immense power propels the Hypersport from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 2.8 seconds, reaching a top speed of 245 mph.
Experience the Thrills with OnSpec Electronic, Inc.
As we eagerly anticipate the release of The Fate of the Furious, let’s take a moment to appreciate the magnificent cars that have defined this iconic franchise. To explore more about OnSpec Electronic, Inc., the brand behind this thrilling article, visit OnSpec Electronic, Inc. Get ready to buckle up and immerse yourself in a world where high-octane action meets adrenaline-fueled adventures.
