Fast and Furious 8

Remember 2 years ago when I put up some post on the Top 3 JDMs used in the Fast and Furious franchise ? If you have not, the links are Fast&Furious:Honorable, Fast&Furious:GT-R, Fast&Furious:Supra and Fast&Furious:WRX STI. This year the franchise welcomes a new addition, The Fate of the Furious, a.k.a. Fast & Furious 8. So, here I will discuss about the JDMs used in this new installment.

We all know that the main character, Brian O'Conner has been the one who drives JDMs consistently in every movie that he is in. It is also understandable that with the passing of the late Paul Walker, his character had to be retired. The whole scene where Brian is happily playing with his son, Jack and along with his wife, Mia by the beach was heartwarming and the last ride with Brian and Dom which ended with them driving off towards different direction was just sad. The franchise had to change and that means there will be a significant decrease in JDM appearance because the other characters are not fans of JDMs. Han was also driving JDMs throughout the movies he was in but unfortunately, he too died. However, lucky for JDM fans, there is a new character in this movie that drives JDMs. We were introduced to a new special agent in-training/assistant to Kurt Russell's, Mr.Nobody. This character is played by Scott Eastwood and he not only drives one Subaru but two Subarus in this movie.  His first ride was a modified Subaru BRZ and if you read my previous post on Fast & Furious, you might remember that this is not the first time a BRZ was featured in the franchise. The BRZ's first appearance was a brief one in Fast & Furiuos 6 and was not driven by any of the cast members.

Inside the BRZ

By the WRX STI

From the outlook, we could see that the BRZ is equipped with a Rocket Bunny bodykit. This particular bodykit has been trending and I have to admit, I am a fan of it too. The fender or wheel arches are widen with an add-on, making the stance wider. In the spoiler department, instead of a huge wing attached to it, it only has a ducktail spoiler. On the inside, there seems to be a green, full body roll cage, sport seats, blue harnesses and an aftermarket steering wheel. This car is definitely ready for the track or drift course.

We first see Scott's character in the BRZ when the team formed a blockade in front of the now, bad-guy, Dom Toretto. Then, he made a rookie mistake which allowed Dom to escape and the chase began. So, the whole team was on the streets, chasing and we got to see the BRZ drifts a bit, alongside Deckard Shaw's Jaguar F-Type Coupe. Dom had to loose the BRZ and he drove into some construction poles, which then began to fall. Scott's character was too focused on chasing Dom and it was too late to brake. This resulted in the sacrifice of the Subaru BRZ under the fallen poles. Although I must say, that is better than getting blown up by explosives like how most cars get destroyed in the franchise.

Drift !!

Drift !!

When he realized he is doom.

R.I.P. BRZ

In the next act of the movie, we were transported to the icy terrain of Russia. The team is here to stop Dom from helping the bad guys steal a nuclear submarine. When things went south, the bad guys remotely controlled the submarine and tried to make an escape. So, the team rushes out on ice, in their new rides, hoping to reach the gates before the submarine escapes and disappears. This time Scott's character drove a Subaru WRX STI. This is the latest model of WRX STI and at a glance, it might seem like the only mod is the GT Wing and rims but actually, the front and rear bumper and front lights are aftermarket parts. It is safe to say that the WRX STI is also equipped with a roll cage, sport seats, harness and aftermarket steering wheel like the BRZ. However this time, all we see is the WRX STI just driving around, mostly dodging missiles, bullets and explosion. Surprisingly, not a scratch was made on the car and remain like new. This is so unlike the Fast and Furious movies I know, where most cars were destroyed. The WRX STI made it out in one piece. I am happy it was not sacrificed in the movie but felt like the WRX STI could have a bigger part.

There you have it. The only two JDMs that were driven by the cast member in this year's Fast and Furious 8. I hope that in the next sequel of the franchise, more JDMs could be driven by the main characters. Although the amount of JDM was low in this movie but there is a an extra scenes where JDMs could be spotted but not driven. This scene was when the team just got attacked by the bad guys and needed to get some equipment after. They arrived at a facility where all the impounded cars were kept a.k.a. the Toy Shop. When the scene opened, most of the audiences must have their eyes on the Bentley Continental Coupe, which would be driven by Roman Pierce in the first chase scene. However, keen JDM fans like myself would be able to spot some JDMs on the racks by looking at the side view. In the same scene, a yellow, Honda S2000, a blue, Subaru BRZ (Scott's car) and a white Nissan Concept could be spotted on the left rack. Meanwhile, on the right, fans would notice a blue, Nissan GT-R R35, a grey, Toyota MR-S and a red, Toyota Supra MK IV.

In the photo below, audience get to see the same cars from the front view. This confirmed the cars that I noticed from the side view were exactly the cars that I mentioned before. I would say this is a very good collection and I would like to have this many cars in my garage, if I have a garage.

The photo below shows the Nissan IDx concept car that was revealed in 2013 in a show. A lot of fans have been asking Nissan to make a production car out of this fine concept. However there are no plans for that to happen. Many speculations were made and most of them said that this could be either the new Silvia or the new Fairlady Z. I personally think this would suit the Silvia badge more. Let us hope Nissan will make use of this concept.

I did manage to find one more hidden gem and that could be a Lexus LFA, if I am not mistaken. Sorry for the blur photo.

Fast and Furious - Honorable Mention

While the 3 main articles posted before, focused on model names that made the most appearances in all 7 Fast and Furious movies, there were some models that were more memorable or personal favorites for someone like me. So, I will be featuring 3 JDM sports car in this article that are special for me. 

First up we have the Honda NSX Type R. We first saw Mia Toretto driving this baby in Fast and Furious (2009) to meet with Dominic Toretto and Brian O'Connor after they ran away from the bad guys. Many might have missed this scene but fear not because we get to see it later in the movie. At the end of the movie, Dom was sent to prison in a prison transport bus and we hear engine roaring in the background. Then we saw Mia inside the awesome and beautiful facelift NSX-R and straight away we knew, a prison break is about to happen but that was it. It wasn't until Fast Five (2011), we get to see more action from the NSX-R in the beginning of the movie. Mia was speeding in it, drifting with it and all sorts of action. No one knows what happened to it as the crew went abroad right after Dom was "rescued". 

At the end of Fast Five (2011), each of the crew took their share of the loot and went their separate ways. Then from a distance, we could see a glimpse of a Supercar and came the Lexus LFA. The LFA was one of the hottest, new Supercar from Japan when the movie was released and I am sure many enthusiasts were screaming like little girls. The LFA did not play much of a role but I did not mind the short cameo because the series needs more JDM. It definitely is a nice car to zoom down the Autobahn where there is no speed limit. You could say that is when the LFA gets to shine the most. Giselle was asking Han where they are heading next and this is where Han hints he would be going to Japan, "eventually" but we know wherever Han and Giselle plan to go, it would definitely be in style. 

Last but not least, one of the most memorable car in the entire franchise for me, has got to be the "out of this world" Mazda RX-7, dressed in Veilside Fortune widebody bodykit. Add on a bright and striking orange and black paint job into that equation, you get what is definitely close to perfect. It is the primary car driven by Han in The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) movie, up until his death inside the car. I was definitely overwhelmed when I saw the Mercedes hit the RX-7. It looks perfect and quick even when it is not moving. In the movie when it drifted around the Nissan Skyline GT-R R33, nothing could be more cooler than that and you get to get phone numbers from pretty girls. Not a bad night, indeed. 

So, there you have it. These above are my Top 3 memorable cars from the franchise. You might agree or disagree but feel free to comment in the comment section to give me your opinions. Which is your favorite of them all ? The photo below is really a great summary of the series.

Fast and Furious - Nissan Skyline GT-R

Last on my Top 3 list of JDMs that appeared on screen from the Fast and Furious series, would be the Nissan Skyline GT-R. At the sight of the title, everyone would remember the silver R34 from 2 Fast 2 Furious or the beautiful, blue R34 from Fast and Furious. However, this list would include all the GT-Rs in all movie that is driven by cast members chronologically.

The first GT-R that came up in the franchise is the R33 driven by one of Dominic Torentto's friend/accomplice in the first The Fast and The Furious (2001). Leon was seen driving along Letty, Vince and Jesse in the beginning of the movie and with Dom when they were pulling off the heist.

In 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003), Brian O'Conner was called for an illegal race and arrived in his first car of the movie, the R34. This is the car that he drove recklessly and jumped over a bridge and made one hell of a slide the moment he won. Cops soon show up and Brian tried to make a run for it but was arrested thanks to Electronic Disruption Device on a grappling hook.

Remember when Sean asked Han, what does he drift for in The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) ? Han then drives the Veilside RX-7 into the streets and spotted a purple and silver R33. Spotting the GT-R, Han made donuts around the car and later when he got the phone numbers of the 2 girls driving the R33, Sean finally knew the reason Han drifts for. I would do that too if I could drift. I am not sure whether you realized it or not but the car that Sean chased in the RX-7 was actually a blue R34 (although it was shown for only 2 seconds). 

I am not sure whether you realized it or not but the car that Sean chased in the RX-7 was actually a blue R34 (although it was shown for only 2 seconds). Here is the proof below. Sorry it is blurry.

5 years after the first movie, the now FBI agent, Brian has stumbled upon a case involving, you guessed it, illegal car races in Fast and Furious (2009). This time with the FBI's impound lots' help, he has a wide choice of cars to used in his attempt to infiltrate the race but he only has one car in his mind: the R34 although we see him pull up some R35 from the database. We even get a seen of him modding the GT-R before racing it. The car gets blown up by Dom and Brian switches to the Subaru WRX STI. In my opinion, the blue paint suits the R34 more than the silver in the second movie. 

Brian's pick from the impound lot

Time to start work !

All the sweat and blood pay off. Sweet Ride

After busting Dom out of prison transport bus, we see the gang retreats and hides in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to avoid the authorities in Fast 5 (2011). As the audience already know, Brian can not be without a JDM ride but have to blend in, not to mention the scarcity of JDM in Brazil. So, he drives a Nissan Skyline GT-R C10 coupe. Not so flashy, gets you to where you need but still wearing the GT-R badge. Although I do not know much about the C10, I do know it is the first GT-R.   

After successfully pulling off the greatest heist in Rio, we find our heroes all instant millionaires and Brian settles down with Mia in a nice, quiet beach side property in the end of the movie. I could have guessed Brian would spend his new wealth on a new R35. It is weird that you could get a R35 but could not get any parts to mod the R35 because it is like a virgin. 

Furious 6 (2013) started with a race between Brian's R35 and Dom's Challenger along some windy roads. It turns out, Brian was just rushing to the hospital because Mia was delivering their baby and decides to have a little fun with Dom on the side. It is presumably the same R35 we see at the end of Fast 5.

We only get to see the r35 again at the end of the movie back at the Toretto house. This time it is a modified R35 with the special Bensopra Body Kit with a huge GT-Wing. This is when the heart warming scene where the whole team celebrates their freedom and pardon from their crimes and becoming rich. They did not mention who was the owner but we can all just assume it belongs to Brian.  

From this point onwards, there might be spoilers. You have been warned !

Netizens were writing online that there was a R32 in Furious 7 (2015) and I remember opening my eyes wide to spot all the JDM present in the movie but I failed to find the R32 mentioned. So, I did some digging and I found my evidence. It was a black R32 in the background during Han's funeral scene. Dom spotted Deckard Shaw in the cemetery and rushed to get in his car to chase the bad guy. I have always like the R32 especially since it came out the same year I was born. 

Later in the movie, the main characters were all gearing up for the final showdown. We see the rather stock looking, blue R35 and Brian putting on a bullet proof vest from the boot along with some guns. It was rather badass looking the way he gears up, gets in the car and heads to where the danger is. I guess the Bensopra R35 we saw at the end of Furious 6 was sold and replaced by the mini van we saw Brian taking Jack to school in. In the midst of actions, the R35 was blown to pieces by a missile. What a waste !!

Lock on Target & Boom goes the R35.

Fast and Furious - Toyota Supra MkIV

Continue with the launch of the latest Fast and Furious movie, we have the next JDM that appeared on screen. The first iconic car from The Fast and The Furious (2001) is definitely the orange, gravity defying Toyota Supra MkIV. Although apart form the first movie, the Supra was never in the limelight and replaced by the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 as the icon of the series, it appears in other movies as well.

After losing in a pink slip race against Dominic Toretto and trashing the Mitsubishi Eclipse he raced, Brian O'Conner now owes Dom a 10-second car. Brian then brings a wrecked/scrap Supra and says it is Dom's 10-second car. Soon, they rebuilt the Supra with sweat, blood and many shiny parts. When it was all done, it was time to hit the road to test and tune the bad boy. Brian and Dom soon met with a Ferrari 355 Spider and was insulted by the driver. Dom gave Brian the green light and ask him to smoke the Ferrari which of course, he smoked the Ferrari. The Supra continues to see a lot more action and in my opinion the most one single car have seen in all of the franchise. In the end of the movie, the Supra was given to Dom to make his escape.  

The Project Car

First Victim - Ferrari F355 Spider

Next, we see the Supra dressed in gold appearing in the beginning of 2 Fast 2 Furious and we know things are going to get down with a race. It is driven by a character named Slap Jack and in the race, followed Brian to jump a bridge. When he landed, the tire pops and steers him into a billboard. Later in the movie, we see the Supra in the scramble scene again and nobody knows what happened to it. 

One of the cars used to by the team to test in their hideout to slip through the many high speed cameras when they planned to rob the police station in Fast 5 (2011). Few of the characters including Tej, Roman and Rico were having a go at escaping the cameras but clumsy and maybe inexperienced Rico hit a column and damaged the Supra. So, the fun was cut short. 

From this point onwards, there might be spoilers. You have been warned.

I was one of those who thought that they would kill Brian in Furious 7 (2015) because that is the usual and easiest way to bring closure to a character. However, if you watched the movie, you knew that they changed it to make Brian retired instead. The unexpected thing for me was seeing Brian drive a JDM at the ending of the movie and expected a GT-R but when I saw a white Supra, I honestly did not see that coming. It is said that the white Supra used in the movie actually belongs to Paul Walker. It is symbolic to see both cars cruise down the empty road and finally split. Thanks for making this another tear jerking moment. Thank you, Paul Walker for all your hard work. You will be missed.