Taylor Scott
The climactic scene in *Fast Five* (2011), the fifth instalment of the *Fast & Furious* franchise, involves a pair of Dodge Chargers towing a 14,000-kilogramme bank vault through the streets of Rio de Janeiro. This stunt has been regarded as one of the most memorable and complicated sequences in the franchise and in cinematic history. But could it actually be done in real life?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Movie | Fast Five |
| Year of release | 2011 |
| Car model | Dodge Chargers |
| Year of car model | 2010 |
| Engine capacity | 6.1L V8 |
| Horsepower | 425 |
| Kilowatts | 317 |
| Weight of car | 1900 kilograms |
| Weight of vault | 10,000 pounds (4,000 kilograms or 14,000 kilograms) |
| Time taken to accelerate to 50 miles per hour | 15 seconds |
| Speed achieved after 15 seconds of acceleration | 2.3 miles per hour |
| Number of cars needed to achieve 50 miles per hour in 15 seconds | 48 |
| Modifications to the car | Strengthened chassis, reinforced roll cage, winch, NOS, bigger tires, bigger engines |
| Special equipment used | Cool suit, helmet, dry ice |
| Number of cars destroyed | 200 |
Explore related products
![Crave PD Power Bank 50000mAh, PowerPack Portable Battery Pack Charger [Power Delivery PD 3.0 USB-C 100W + Quick Charge QC 3.0 Dual Ports] for MacBook, iPhone, Samsung, and More](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51iozm3yGsL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
The cars used were 2010 Dodge Charger SRT8s
The cars used in the bank vault scene in *Fast Five* were 2010 Dodge Charger SRT8s. These cars were chosen for their high horsepower and torque capabilities, which are essential for pulling heavy loads. The 2010 Dodge Charger SRT8 is a powerful car, boasting a 6.1-litre Hemi V-8 engine with 425 horsepower. It is a heavy car, offering better visibility than similar vehicles, and its automatic transmission makes it more fun to drive.
The 2010 Dodge Charger SRT8s used in the film were modified for the stunt. The interiors were stripped, removing anything unnecessary, and a reinforced roll cage was added, visible behind the driver's seat in the movie. The chassis was strengthened to withstand the tensile load of the vault, and one of the Chargers was equipped with nitrous oxide for an extra boost. The engines were also modified, with Dodge providing bigger tires and bigger engines with 400 horsepower to enable the cars to pull the heavy vault.
The vault itself was a structure built by the film crew, covered in paper and painted to look like a real vault. It weighed 10,000 pounds, and even with the modified Dodge Chargers, it couldn't be pulled at speed. The bottom of the vault was coated in Delrin, a slick, high-density plastic, to reduce friction and enable the cars to pull it more easily.
Despite the modifications, some viewers have questioned the realism of the scene, suggesting that the cars would not have had enough torque to move such a heavy vault. However, the stunt coordinator, Jack Gill, has confirmed that the cars were indeed pulling the vault, and the scene was meticulously planned to ensure its success.
Elizabeth Banks' Filmography: A Comprehensive Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The vault weighed 10,000 pounds
In the climactic sequence of *Fast Five*, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) attach a pair of Dodge Chargers to a massive bank vault and drive it through the streets of Rio de Janeiro while being chased by the police. The scene depicts the two Chargers pulling a safe weighing several tonnes.
The vault was designed to be heavy, made of steel, and weighing 10,000 pounds. The stunt coordinator, Jack Gill, initially attached two cars to the vault, but they couldn't pull it or even get it moving. To solve this, Delrin, a slick high-density plastic, was added to the bottom of the vault, and Dodge was asked to provide bigger tires and engines with 400 horsepower. The cars were also modified for the stunt, with everything unnecessary removed from the interior, and a reinforced roll cage, a winch, and an additional cage added to the rear to withstand the tensile load of the vault.
The Dodge Chargers used in the stunt were older models from around 2010, with a towing capacity of 2000 pounds each. While towing capacity doesn't necessarily indicate the upper limit of what can be towed, the friction of concrete or asphalt would have made it extremely difficult to move such a heavy load. Even with modifications, it is questionable whether the Chargers could have produced enough torque to move the massive vault.
Despite the challenges, the *Fast Five* vault scene was mostly real, with only minor digital enhancements. The vaults used in different scenes varied depending on the setting, with a real four-tonne vault used when driving out of the police headquarters garage, and a driving vault (a fake vault with a car inside) used in other scenes.
Finding M&T Bank: Nearest Branch Locator
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The cars were modified for the stunt
The Fast and Furious franchise is known for its high-octane stunts and car chases, and one of the most memorable stunts from the series is the bank vault scene in Fast Five. In this scene, two Dodge Chargers are attached to a massive bank vault, and the characters drive the vault through the streets of Rio de Janeiro while being chased by the police.
To pull off this daring stunt, the film's crew had to modify the cars extensively. Firstly, the interior of the cars was stripped down, removing anything that wasn't essential to reduce weight and make room for the necessary equipment. A specially reinforced roll cage was added behind the driver's seat, providing additional protection for the drivers during the stunt. The chassis of the cars were strengthened to withstand the forces exerted by the vault, and a winch and an additional cage were attached to the rear to manage the tensile load.
One of the Chargers, Dom's car, was equipped with a Holley NOS (Nitrous Oxide System), providing that extra boost of power when needed. The engines of the Chargers were also upgraded with bigger engines and tires, increasing their horsepower to 400 each. This modification was crucial to ensure the cars had enough power to pull the heavy vault.
In addition to the mechanical modifications, the cars were also given a sleek aesthetic makeover. The Chargers were painted matte black, and Dom's car was fitted with XD Rockstar rims and blacked-out logos, giving it a stealthy and menacing look.
The stunt coordinator, Jack Gill, played a pivotal role in planning and executing the bank vault stunt. He worked closely with the director, Justin Lin, to ensure that the stunt felt real and authentic for the audience. Gill and his team spent months meticulously planning every detail of the stunt, and their dedication paid off, as the bank vault scene became one of the most iconic moments in the Fast and Furious franchise.
Who Owns FaZe? Banks' Role Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The vault was a structure built to look real
The vault in the Fast Five movie was a structure built to look real. It was designed to be a realistic vault that could be pulled by two Dodge Chargers through the streets of Rio de Janeiro. The stunt coordinator, Jack Gill, and his team built multiple vaults, including one with a pickup truck inside, to serve as a driving vault or a "fake vault with a car inside." The vault was constructed with heavy steel and weighed 10,000 pounds.
The vault was designed to look like a typical bank vault, with a realistic appearance that included paper covering and paint. The size of the vault was carefully considered, and the construction process took about three weeks. The weight of the vault was a crucial factor, as it had to be heavy enough to create a sense of authenticity but also manageable for the cars to pull.
To enhance the realism, the Chargers were modified specifically for this stunt. Everything unnecessary was removed from the interior, and a reinforced roll cage was added. The chassis was strengthened, and a winch and an additional cage were attached to the rear to withstand the tensile load of the vault. One of the Chargers was equipped with nitrous oxide for an extra boost.
The stunt required meticulous planning and preparation, with different vaults used depending on the setting and the required action. The driving vault, for instance, was used when a car needed to be inside the vault. The production team also encountered challenges with the weight and movement of the vault, requiring adjustments to the cars and the use of Delrin, a slick high-density plastic, to reduce friction.
The vault heist stunt in Fast Five is widely regarded as one of the most memorable and complicated sequences in the Fast & Furious franchise, blending thrilling action with practical effects to create a realistic and impactful scene.
Buying Repossessed Cars: A Guide to Bank Deals
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The scene took four weeks to prepare for
The scene in *Fast Five* where two Dodge Chargers pull a bank vault through the streets of Rio de Janeiro is one of the most memorable sequences in the *Fast & Furious* franchise. The scene took four weeks to prepare for, with the crew working to overcome several challenges.
The first step was to build a structure that resembled a bank vault. The stunt coordinator, Jack Gill, explained that they covered the structure in paper and painted it to look like a real vault. It took about three weeks to finalise the size of the vault. Once they started building it, they had to consider how heavy it needed to be. It had to be made of heavy steel so that it could crash into objects during the scene. The final vault weighed 10,000 pounds (approximately 4,500 kilograms).
The crew initially attached two cars to the vault, but they couldn't get it moving. They then added Delrin, a slick high-density plastic, to the bottom of the vault, which allowed them to pull it around, but not at high speeds. To address this, they worked with Dodge to modify the Chargers, adding bigger tires and bigger engines with 400 horsepower.
The stunt drivers, Henry Kingi and Mike Ryan, rehearsed extensively to perfect their coordination during the stunt. They had to maintain radio contact throughout, as any discrepancies in speed or turning would cause the vault to twist and turn sideways.
The preparation also involved building multiple vaults for different purposes. One vault had a pickup truck inside, with the middle of the truck bed cut out and welded back together, allowing a car to fit inside. Another vault was a driving vault, a fake vault with a car inside, used when the little girl looks out of the bus window at the passing Chargers.
Bank Dispute Resolution: How Long Does It Take?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
In the movie *Fast Five*, two Dodge Chargers are used to pull a bank vault through the streets of Rio de Janeiro. While this is an actual scene from the movie, it is not realistic and could not be replicated in real life.
According to calculations, a minimum of 198,000 horsepower would be needed to move a 15-ton vault as quickly as it happens in the movie.
The Dodge Chargers used in the movie were modified for the stunt. Everything that wasn't necessary was removed from the interior, and a reinforced roll cage was added. The chassis was strengthened, and a winch and an additional cage were added to the rear to withstand the load of the vault.
Yes, stunt driver Henry Kingi was inside the vault during the stunt. He wore a cool suit and a helmet to protect him from the extreme temperatures inside the vault due to the dry ice used to keep the engine cool.
