A new “Mission: Impossible” heads to the silver screen this weekend as Tom Cruise takes on one final mission to close out his tenure as Ethan Hunt.
“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” will be the final opportunity for Hunt to save the world in blockbuster fashion, and it will possibly end the franchise that featured some top-tier vehicles.
From a boxy SUV to a sleek concept car, Hunt and his fellow agents have showcased some fascinating vehicles since 1996. Let’s highlight some of the best.
No. 1 — BMW i8 Prototype
2011’s “Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol” had no shortage of standout cars. After all, it had scenes in Dubai, the city known for ridiculous vehicles.
Some of the standouts gracing the screen included an Aston Martin Vantage, a Ferrari 430, a Ferrari Enzo, and a Bugatti Veyron. However, it was a prototype that turned the heads of the film’s audience.
One scene of the espionage blockbuster featured Cruise and co-star Paula Patton racing through the streets of Mumbai in a BMW Vision EfficientDynamics electric car. This was the prototype that eventually became the sleek BMW i8.
No. 2 — Modified Vintage Fiat 500
“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” took to the streets of Rome for a fascinating multi-part car chase. It featured police cruisers, motorcycles, and even a F90 BMW M5 sedan without any doors that Cruise drifted one-handed while handcuffed to Haley Atwell.
However, the true star of this Rome chase was a vintage Fiat 500, which the duo used to escape from an assassin. This was not a stock Fiat 500, however, as the production crew used electric power to make it faster and more “treacherous” to drive.
Cruise described the Fiat as wild, while the production crew said it was “possessed.” Either way, it delivered thrills as Cruise slid it around on cobblestone streets while navigating traffic.
No. 3 — Land Rover Defender 110
This boxy SUV did not simply show up in one film and then disappear. Versions of it appeared in “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” and “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.”
Former intelligence agent Ilsa Faust was the key character involved when the Land Rover Defender appeared. This includes scenes in Casablanca, Morocco, and Pulpit Rock, Norway.
Unlike the Fiat 500 or the BMW i8, the Land Rover Defender is not a showpiece for technology. It also isn’t a high-powered vehicle built for car chases. As one scene showed, it’s not built for navigating tight streets.
The reason the Land Rover Defender is on this list is that it is simply a classic. It has a distinct look that multiple generations of car collectors adore, and it stands out from the crowd of BMWs used throughout this film franchise.
No. 4 — BMW M3
Speaking of BMWs, Cruise and the production crew tested the limits of a BMW M3 during the filming of 2015’s “Rogue Nation.” They put this sedan through the paces while racing around the streets of Marrakesh, Morocco.
Cruise and co-star Simon Pegg used this M3 to chase down Ilsa Faust, who was in control of a motorcycle. They also fended off some unknown assailants who also rode motorcycles.
The scene involved the M3 careening down a massive set of steps before sliding into some nearby parked cars. It also nearly collided with a Land Rover Defender 110 driven by Jeremy Renner.
Of course, the wildest moment of this car chase was Cruise doing a reverse jump with the luxury car. This did not end well as the M3 tumbled end over end multiple times before landing on its roof.
No. 5 — Porsche 911 Convertible
Many viewers remember John Woo’s “Mission: Impossible II” for its motorcycle stunts, which occasionally bordered on absurd. However, one scene featured a unique car chase with two convertibles.
Cruise drove a Porsche 911 convertible, which he used to chase down Thandiwe Newton in an Audi TT.
All Cruise’s character wanted was some help with his mission. Newton’s character, a professional thief, responded by slamming into the 911 multiple times and trying to run it off the road.
The two slammed doors on a mountain road and narrowly avoided colliding with other cars. They also spun around in circles while careening toward the cliffside. The two cars came to a rest with the TT hanging precariously over the edge.