Filming on the Fast and Furious 4 film has been wrapped up for a few weeks. Despite that, fans will still have to wait until next summer to get their fill of Dom's return. However, that hasn't stopped the franchise from soaking up attention and generating some initial buzz a year early. The lead 2008 Subaru WRX, driven by one Paul Walker, has been making the rounds at automotive events recently. We first spotted it staked out front of the SpoCom show in Long Beach, CA back in June. Now it has turned up at a Motor Press Guild meeting in Los Angeles, CA. Thanks to reader Chad, we also have photos for proof. Surprising enough, the vehicle is not outrageously modified. It features Enkei NT03 wheels painted to resemble the Volk Time Attack series, Veilside seats, a harness bar, Cobb Tuning ECU flash tune, as well as a Veilside body kit that is subtle in comparison to their usual flair.
The WRX is just a sampling of what the next Fast and Furious film will have to offer, too. The story takes place somewhere between the second and third film of the series. As mentioned, it also features the resurgence of Vin Diesel, so we know some American-made rides will flex their muscle. In fact, the Buick Grand National is one that will get its due on the silver screen in FF4.
While filming the latest installment of everyone's favorite overly dramatized street racing flick, Vin Diesel extended his rage from a character in the movie onto the right front bumper of an S2000. The Honda, owned by Ben from Bespoke Ventures and being used as an automotive extra in The Fast and Furious 4, sustained a fair amount of damage to the bumper, right fender and headlamp. There's no word on when Universal is going to be settling its tab for the damages done by Mr. D, but Ben has already got a "Vin Diesel Broke My Car" t-shirt for sale, which should ease the financial burden. That, along with the "Don't tune your GT-R" tee, should complete your summer fashion collection.
According to Inside Line, movie-goers should expect to see more tire-burning action from Hyundai's new Genesis Coupe than what's already been shown. It seems that the Korean car company has already sent Universal a bright red Genesis Coupe SE powered by the turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This news lends some credence to our opinion that the turbo mill will likely be the tuner's choice, though the big six cylinder is likely to be plenty for most drivers who don't want to modify their car. While we're not waiting on the edge of our seats for the fourth installment of the Fast and the Furious franchise, we think that it'll be pretty cool to see the Genesis Coupe alongside such performance-car stalwarts as the new Nissan GT-R and Subaru STI.
We wouldn't quite call ourselves fans of the Fast and Furious franchise, but we're getting more and more impressed with this newest iteration of the Subaru Impreza WRX STI. We'll admit that it's hardly the most attractive hatch on the road, but its blend of planted purposefulness and flared fenders have slowly made converts out of some of us.
Could it be made uglier? Most certainly. But the crew at Veilside are supplying a kit for the new STI that will make its debut in the new Fast and Furious sequel. The Rally Blue 'Rex is getting a full work-over at a shop in Southern California before Paul Walker (aka Brian O'Connner) takes the helm and our friends at ExhaustNote.com were able to supply some pics in the midst of modifications. While the new front bumper and precariously placed spoiler might not suit everyone's taste, the full roll cage could mean that better (non-CG, please) stunts are on the way.
How long does it take to build a show car worthy of being in the upcoming Fast and Furious 4 movie? Well, if the fourth installment is anything like the first sequel, 2 Fast 2 Furious, we'd say about ten minutes with a paint gun ought to do it. Hopefully the new FF film will be the best, however, since the original duo of Walker and Diesel are both back. A car for this movie, then, takes about six hours according to Stangpede, a San Diego-based Mustang club. Less than a dozen members from the club turned a stock Mustang into a full-blown show car in front of a live audience at the 2008 San Diego Auto Show. The transformation took just over six hours and included the addition of a Saleen 550-hp supercharger system, custom interior with racing seats, a glassback roof from Classic Design Concepts, and a retro body kit finished in Candy Apple Red paint.
