As a die-hard fan of the Fast and Furious franchise who has spent countless hours watching these movies and dissecting every detail, I must say that none other than Han’s original Mazda RX-7 takes the cake for me!
The world of Fast and Furious features both stylish characters (and some real fools), but none are as captivating as Sung Kang’s Han. Originally appearing in “Better Luck Tomorrow” back in 2002, this character made his big-screen franchise debut in “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.” Before gracing the billion-dollar series, Han was the mysterious older cousin in a film about a gang of Asian American teens who found themselves unwittingly embroiled in a string of crimes. In that movie, Han was portrayed as the enigmatic relative, always seen with his classic Mustang and a cigarette pack at hand.
Though “Better Luck Tomorrow” doesn’t share ties with the “Fast and Furious” series, director Justin Lin assumed control over the street racing movies with “Tokyo Drift” in 2006, and he brought Kang back to re-embody the character symbolically. Despite Han meeting his end halfway through that film, his popularity was so immense that subsequent films were placed before its timeline, enabling Han to make recurring appearances.
The sequence of events in Han’s “Fast and Furious” storyline can be a bit muddled, with his resurrection in “F9: The Fast Saga” adding to the puzzle. However, for numerous fans, Han’s role in “Tokyo Drift” remains their favorite, mainly because of the iconic black and orange sports car he drives – a beautifully preserved 1997 Mazda RX-7. Despite him driving many other stunning vehicles throughout the series, none have managed to replace his first choice.
Han drives a 1997 Mazda RX-7 in Tokyo Drift
In the movie “Tokyo Drift”, Han’s Mazda RX-7, specifically the third generation known as the RX-7 FD, is a well-known example. However, it’s not the first RX-7 driven by a main character in the “Fast and Furious” series. In the original film, Dominic Toretto (played by Vin Diesel) was behind the wheel of a red RX-7 FD. Interestingly, this car pales in comparison to his iconic 1970 Dodge Charger R/T.
In the case of “Tokyo Drift,” the production crew aimed to find a unique vehicle and eventually selected a pre-built custom RX-7, crafted by VeilSide, a Japanese tuning company. This particular car was showcased by VeilSide at automobile exhibitions. During their research for the film, members of the “Tokyo Drift” team discovered this car and ultimately decided to purchase it.
In contrast to the less elaborate stunt versions used for action sequences, Han’s RX-7 “hero car” model boasted a fair share of genuine performance upgrades hidden beneath its exterior. This was due to its history and was adorned with a VeilSide Fortune body kit. As detailed by Craig Lieberman, who served as a technical advisor on the initial “Fast and Furious” movies, the vehicle was equipped with an HKS turbocharger system, Andrew Racing Evolution V wheels, a titanium exhaust, larger upgraded brakes, and several other enhancements. Prior to its acquisition from VeilSide, the car was red; however, it was repainted orange for the film.
How much would Han’s Tokyo Drift car cost today?
If you’re keen on driving a vehicle similar to Han’s “Tokyo Drift” RX-7, it’s quite achievable. These cars continue to be popular within the tuner community, and there are numerous well-maintained ones available even in 2024. The cost of a used 1997 model can vary depending on factors like mileage, trim level, and overall condition, but you might typically spend between $31,000 and $41,000. However, if you’re aiming to create a car more like the movie version, be prepared for additional costs.
The Veilside RX-7 Fortune body kit is still available for purchase on their website, priced at approximately $17,600. Additional performance modifications will significantly increase this cost, depending on your desired level of enhancement. Furthermore, the unique rotary engines in RX-7 FDs can require careful maintenance, posing a potential challenge. Whether buying an actual 1997 RX-7 is a wise investment may depend on individual circumstances, but there’s no questioning the appeal of the completed vehicle.
Is Han’s Tokyo Drift car better than his other Fast and Furious rides?
Following “Tokyo Drift,” Han found it challenging to acquire another standout vehicle, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t get to drive some impressive rides during that time. In films like “Fast and Furious,” “Fast Five,” and “Fast and Furious 6,” his vehicles of choice were diverse – an old Chevy C-Series truck, a 2011 Subaru WRX STI, multiple late-model Dodge Chargers, and a 2010 BMW E60 M5. Among these, the 2010 Lexus LFA he drove in the epilogue of “Fast Five” (often considered the best “Fast and Furious” movie) might be his most iconic car, not just because it’s a stunning vehicle but also because he races it at high speed while passionately kissing his co-pilot, Gisele Yashar (Gal Gadot), in the driver’s seat. Respect for the game is well deserved!
In both “F9” and the upcoming “Fast X,” Han reappears with an array of unique vehicles. Notably, in “F9,” he drives a 2020 Toyota Supra sporting a nearly identical black and orange color scheme to his RX-7 from “Tokyo Drift.” In contrast, “Fast X” finds Han reaching into the past by piloting a 1974 Alfa Romeo GTV, maintaining his signature black and orange aesthetic but adding racing stripes this time.
Among all the vehicles, Han’s initial Mazda RX-7 remains impressive. It’s noteworthy that his two most impactful cars so far have been tributes to the VeilSide FD design.
What is the fastest car in Fast and the Furious series?
Although Han has operated some outstanding vehicles across the Fast and Furious film series, his collection represents just a fraction of the entire franchise’s garage. Iconic cars like Dominic Toretto’s Charger from the debut movie and Brian O’Conner’s Supra hold special significance, along with the Nissan Skyline GT-R and Suki’s S2000 from 2 Fast 2 Furious, the Mustang Fastback from Tokyo Drift, the Dodge Charger Daytona from Fast Five, the Lykan Hypersport that Dom and Brian leap between skyscrapers with in Furious 7, and of course, Han’s RX-7.
Some significant rides seen throughout the series include, without a doubt, the Lamborghini Murciélago from “The Fate of the Furious,” the pair of Koenigseggs bought by Tej and Roman towards the end of “Fast Five,” and Brian’s 1970 Ford Escort MK I in “Fast and Furious 6.
In the Fast and Furious series, the car with the confirmed top speed is the 2011 Bugatti Veyron driven by Roman in “Furious 7.” This vehicle can reach speeds between 257 and 268 miles per hour, depending on the specific version used. However, there’s some debate about which version was actually used. It’s worth noting that the custom Plymouth GTX driven by Dom in “The Fate of the Furious,” rumored to have 5,000 horsepower, might be faster.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-11-10 18:00