The upcoming film Baby Driver has been getting a lot of critical acclaim lately, and the trailer has been showcasing some pretty fancy driving. Let’s just put this out there to start: this movie looks dope… really dope. A high octane chase/getaway/heist genre film that pushes the pace with hot music and a heavy foot? Yes, please. The director Edgar Wright (Shaun of The Dead, Hot Fuzz) is a master when it comes to understanding genre, and is able to maintain just the right amount of self-awareness in his work. Baby Driver aims to be held in high regard with other classic car chase films like Bullitt starring the legendary Steve McQueen.
Now, when you think of a car-centric movie these days, it’s generally filled with modified muscle cars and exotic rides – think Fast and Furious or Gone in 60 Seconds. Cars that you wouldn’t see on an everyday basis rolling down the street. It’s fair to think one of the reasons for these super cool cars is to distract from shortcomings in film’s story or characters by serve as a sort of eye candy – allowing the audience to dream about driving expensive, rare, modified autos.
The mixed bag of rides in Baby Driver speaks to the philosophy: it’s not the car, it’s how you drive it.
Subaru WRX STI
This Subaru has been known for a while as one of the best bang-for-your-buck cars. Making a statement as a highly successful rally car racer, the premium performance and handling provides serious thrills for a far more affordable price than most cars with those getaway capabilities. 300 hp, 300 lb-ft of torque, and 4WD ain’t bad for a shade under $35,000.
It looks like Baby is hauling @ss in a 2007 model – I had a buddy in high school with one, and it properly made you feel like your eyes were being sucked back into your head… Only question for the getaway driver: Isn’t hot rod red a little attention grabbing?
Dodge Challenger SRT8
Everyone was pretty excited when Dodge started making the Challenger again in 2008 – it’s a great looking car, forged in the vain of classic American muscle. In the trailer we see a Challenger drifting around a city corner, burning rubber at night. These hellcats came back in a big way after a 25-year hiatus with 470 hp, 470 lb-ft of torque, and a sizzling 0-60 in under 4 seconds.
Chevrolet Caprice
You know the term “drive it like it’s stolen?” Well, in the trailer, Baby swipes a 1986 Chevy Caprice from an old granny in a moment of desperation. The 4.3 L V6 engine puts out 140 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque as he tears away from the elderly woman. You need to bring your driving A-game if you’re planning on escaping or catching anyone in a chase. The Caprice is probably the most surprising ride of the bunch here… and don’t worry, baby tosses the woman’s purse back, he’s not a monster.
Extra style points for the metallic purple paint job.
2015 Chevy Cruze
I feel like you’re more likely to see a Cruze in the carpool line outside of your kid’s school than in the middle of a heist or high-speed chase. Alas, the reliable Cruze is seen zooming right along next to Baby’s Subaru in the heat of the moment.
2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
In this corner, a 4-door pickup truck that has the front half of a Suburban and the wheelbase of an Escalade. Not exactly the most maneuverable ride when you need agility, but it’s size makes it a powerful tool if you’re ever swapping paint with another big truck or SUV on the road.
2002 Dodge Ram
And in this corner, a truck aptly named for the purpose it serves in this movie – to “ram” the begeezus out of the Chevy Avalanche in a heavyweight battle of a chase. The Ram isn’t known for being lightning fast, but it’s painted with Shelby blue and racing stripes, so at least it looks faster. Which truck will come out victorious. We’ll have to wait and see when Baby Driver comes out on 6/28.
