A theatrical car chase sequence in any movie is a heart-pumping way to get the audience on the edge of their seat. Over the decades film producers have been trying to go bigger and badder with high-octane segments. Explosions, jumps and barrel rolls are all par for the course these days. However, the director of 2017’s smash hit movie Baby Driver wanted something purer and more realistic. The beautifully executed opening sequence starred a Subaru Impreza, but this one had a pretty big secret.
Unusually for a blockbuster movie of the modern era, the star car was not some shiny supercar or gadget-riddled tech piece, instead director Edgar Wright cast a 2006 Subaru WRX – not even the latest model or the faster WRX. The idea being that it was a capable and credible getaway car that would be a smart move for the intelligent driver. Assets such as a punchy turbocharged boxer engine, four-door practicality and all-wheel drive made it ideal for the job. Factor in that this is actually a pretty common car in America and so has the ability to blend in.
A total of five Subaru Imprezas were used for filming the gripping opening of Baby Driver, each given a defined role. It might come as no surprise that all of the cars were modified for stunt work, but some more than others. Allpro Subaru in Georgia took care of the mechanical work that saw most of the Japanese quintet fitted with beefier differentials, a hardy clutch, forged pistons, a hydraulic handbrake and some running gear from a WRX STI. The latter boosted power to around 300bhp. Each car underwent some £14,000 of surgery before making its way on set.
These Subarus were used and abused to great effect during filming, with the gruff engines and turbos whistling making for quite the soundscape. You won’t find an abundance of fire or predictable smashing through shop windows in this chase, just incredible driving. The car proved to be the perfect tool, something highlighted by the breathtaking ‘alleyway spin’ shot. Four of these Subarus had good stories to tell, but one of them was very different to its visually identical brothers.
There’s a lot of lingering drifts going on in this part of the movie as the Subaru graciously snakes its way around its pursuers. While you can see the handbrake being put to good use, true petrolhead might have noticed that the rear tyres seem to be doing all the work. Why? One of the Subarus ditched its signature all-wheel drive system to become a rear-wheel drive drifting god. This car started life as a 2004 Subaru WRX in grey before it was repainted and made to look the same as the others. Before becoming a movie star it clocked some 158,000 miles.
The rear-wheel drive stunt car drifted its tyres to destruction and deservedly earned a spot in the automotive hall of fame. Baby Driver wrapped years ago now, so what became of the car? Well, star of the movie Ansel Elgort was given one of the stunt Subarus as a birthday gift, and a few of the others have made their way into private hands. The prized drifting WRX actually sold at auction for nearly £50k a few years ago. Not bad for a high mileage Subaru with some stunt related dings.
The Baby Driver Subarus will continue to grow in fame as the film inevitably becomes a cult classic over the next decade. Keep an eye out for the far from stock WRX at a future auction where it’ll likely command much more than £50k.
Read more
Keyword: Baby Driver's Subaru had a BIG secret