Every iconic action hero needs an equally recognizable vehicle by their side. Batman fights crime in the Batmobile, James Bond has a seemingly endless supply of Aston Martins at his disposal, and so forth. But the bond between Mitsubishi and Jackie Chan – arguably the most famous movie star on the planet – runs even deeper.
Today, Premier Mitsubishi looks at Chan’s decades-long relationship with Mitsubishi – particularly his obsession with the late, great Mitsubishi Lancer Evo.
The Evo: Racing Evolved
The Evo I, built as the basis of the World Rally Car, arrived in Japan in 1992. Originally intended only for Japanese markets, demand on the “grey import” market prompted the Evo to appear in various European markets in the late 90’s. In 2003, Mitsubishi finally exported the eighth-generation Evolution to the United States. The final edition of the Lancer Evolution, the Evolution X, was produced for almost a decade before Mitsubishi retired the sports sedan for good in 2016.
The first Lancer Evolution used a 2.0-liter turbocharged DOHC engine and AWD drivetrain. By the Lancer Evolution VIII – the first to be sold in the United States – Mitsubishi had begun showing off with slick-response Bilstein shocks for improved handling and traction, chrome headlights, and 17-inch Enkei wheels.
Originally, the Lancer Evolution VIII was meant to be a one-off model in America. However, by 2005, sales were so successful that the line not only continued but expanded to four trims. This was thanks in part to the Evo’s already-sterling western reputation, having caught Americans’ attention in video games such as Gran Turismo and, of course, the films of Jackie Chan.
A Legend Meets His Match
The relationship between Mitsubishi and the martial arts legend begins at the end of the 1970s, well before the Evo was even a concept. Mitsubishi had opened its doors in 1970 and was searching for ways to expose its brand. Meanwhile, Chan’s star was steadily on the rise in Japan. After years of supporting bits, he’d earned leading roles in films like Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow and Drunken Master. Thus, the burgeoning star and the young auto manufacturer struck an agreement to use Mitsubishis exclusively in Chan’s films.
Their arrangement continued for decades, through 80’s films like Wheels on Meals and Cannonball Run II. The culmination of their partnership may have been 1995’s fourth-wall-breaking Thunderbolt. In the film, Chan plays a Mitsubishi factory employee who must abandon his test-driving career to save his sister from nefarious street racers. Thunderbolt notably marked one of the first public appearances of the Mitsubishi Evo III.
From there, Chan and the Evo would become symbiotically linked with one another. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR took center stage in 1998’s Who Am I? This amnesiac action film was Chan’s second movie to be scripted and shot in English. The Evo shines in the film’s central car chase scene, in which it evades bad guys and cops through the streets of Amsterdam. Several Lancer Evolutions had to be used to finish the sequence due to the harsh physical nature of the stunts.
In 2005, Mitsubishi finally built Chan his own vehicle. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8 Jackie Chan Special Edition is one of the rarest vehicles in the company’s history, having produced only 50 cars for its run.
Premier Mitsubishi: Your Rush Hour Headquarters
It’s easy to see why Jackie Chan and Mitsubishi’s partnership makes sense. Both are understated and charismatic, only to turn into explosive machines once unleashed. In a sense, the Evo is a more appropriate sidekick for Chan than Chris Tucker or Owen Wilson ever were.
Now 70 years old, Jackie Chan remains a staple of Hollywood. He voiced Master Splinter in last year’s charming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, and he’ll reprise his role as Mr. Han in a Karate Kid sequel set for 2025. Meanwhile, although the Evo is enjoying retirement, its legacy lives on in sporty vehicles like the 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage G4.
When you shop at Premier Mitsubishi, you’ll enjoy the same type of symbiotic relationship. Our sales staff will work tirelessly to put you in a new or used vehicle that matches your lifestyle. Meanwhile, the qualified service technicians in our Service Center are committed to keeping you on the road. This summer, skip the previews and get yourself to Casa Grande’s main attraction: Premier Mitsubishi.