The last chance to be fast and furious is finally on the corner. Fast X, the tenth installment of the Fast and Furious franchise, is also the last chance to see Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and the rest of the crew drive the mostly insane modified cars. Interestingly, Han Lue (Sung Kang) is bringing the Drift King flair to Fast X not with a Japanese car, but with a gorgeous 1971 Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce.As its fans have long known, the Fast & Furious franchise has never been just about the characters. Cars from different makes and eras have made their appearance on the previous Fast & Furious installments, becoming stars and celebrities in their own rights. Even planes and tanks had their spotlights.For the final film of the franchise, another set of cars will make their appearance. One of these is an Italian classic car from the 1970s – an Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce. While this car does not catch as much attention as classic Chevrolet El Camino and Dodge Charger that featured in Fast X, this Italian GT still merits mentions.
Tokyo Drift: Han Enters Drift Racing World In Japan
Han wasn’t actually part of the first Fast & Furious film (The Fast and the Furious), but made his first appearance in the third installment (The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift). Interestingly, Han wasn’t even the main character in Tokyo Drift; he played support to Sean Boswell (Lucas Black), serving as his drifting teacher.
As far the timeline-boggling series goes, Han went to Tokyo following the death of his girlfriend Gisele Yasher (Gal Gadot). Han became a business partner to Takashi, a local drift king who was relative to Yakuza. Seeking some enjoyment as part of his grieving process, Han taught Sean how to race and drift, even showing off his driving skills and donut-making talent in a 1997 Mazda RX7. Apparently, Han also drifts like a king.
Sean eventually won against Takashi, but not before witnessing Han’s “death” in an apparent accident. Even Dom went to Tokyo to pay tribute to his “fallen” family member by racing against Sean in a 1970 Plymouth Road Runner. This revealed Dom connections to Han – something that the next Fast & Furious films eventually explained.
In Tokyo Drift, Han wasn’t the Drift King, as Takashi actually held this title. Nevertheless, Han has shown that he has the skills to become one, and he just wasn’t interested in the title.
Han Returns From The Dead In Fast 9
The next Fast & Furious films – especially Fast Five – showcased Han’s drifting skills. Driving a silver Subaru Impreza WRX STi, Han tried to beat surveillance-cameras in a gymkhana-like sequence, but decided that it was a little too slow. Fast & Furious 6 saw Gisele’s death and Han’s departure to Tokyo. If that was confusing, it’s because Fast & Furious (4), Fast Five, and Fast & Furious 6 took place before Tokyo Drift.
Furious 7 and The Fate of the Furious missed Han, presumed dead. But Fast 9 revealed that he actually survived the Tokyo accident. It turned out that Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russell) had approached Han to become a spy, and they faked the latter’s death as part of a bigger plan.
Apparently, Han survived the burning wreck, but it still remains a mystery how. Nevertheless, theories include a double was in the seat. Other theories also included a hologram, which is not far off considering the technologies used so far in the franchise. A more far-off theory was that Han eats too much chips that he gained immortality from it.
Han Drifts Anew In Three-Part Fast X
Official trailers have shown Han still part of the family for the Fast X. They will face off with Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa), the son of the drug lord Hernan Reyes in Fast Five. In the trailers, Han was driving an orange Alfa Romeo 2000 GT (with black stripes), alongside a golden Lamborghini Gallardo.
Aside from the trailers, a one-minute Super Bowl commercial also featured the Alfa Romeo 2000 GT. The Alfa Romeo grabbed more screen time, as it drifts on Italian roads. This scene brings back the drifting memories of the Tokyo Drift, but with Italian flavor. Interestingly, the orange-and-black exterior of the 2000 GT Veloce is similar to that of the Mazda RX in the third movie.
Apparently, Fast X producers had built at least two orange-and-black Alfa Romeo 2000 GTs.
According to Donut Media – who had exclusive access to the Fast X garage – one of these 2000 GT has its stock engine, while the other carries a Ford Ecoboost mill. The Alfa Romeo with the stock engine features a complete interior with no roll cage.
Fast X is the last Fast & Furious film, but it is actually a three-part film. The first one arrives this month, while the second will come to theaters in 2025. The third part is still under development. While it’s unknown if the Alfa Romeo 2000 GT would remain alive until the third Fast X, fans could purchase a refurbished one for around $50,000.
Source: Hemmings.com, Donut Media