It’s been 22 years since the Mission Impossible franchise kicked off, and Hollywood star Tom Cruise at 56 years of age has still been able to keep up with all the action that’s been thrown at him.
The franchise has not only been about hardcore action and gadgets, but also the cars and bikes that have captured the eyes of audiences around the world.
Mission Impossible: Fallout is the perfect advertisement for BMW and BMW Motorrad as the German automaker had partnered with Paramount Pictures as the movie’s official automotive partner. Sure, this partnership takes variety out of the picture but BMW has brought its best to the table.
The team of agents will be seen in a BMW M5 and a number of other BMW models, including the 1986 BMW 5 Series Sedan, the BMW 7 Series Sedan and the BMW R nineT Scrambler.
So here’s a take a look at the cars and bikes in what, for me, is the best BMW advertisement I have seen till now.
The BMW R nineT Scrambler
There is a breathtaking chase sequence in the movie where Tom Cruise is riding through the streets of Paris on a BMW nineT Scrambler. Just FYI, Tom is riding the motorcycle without a helmet (which you should never do) and also against incoming traffic at high speeds. (Chill, it’s just a movie sequence)
Cruise really knows how to handle his two-wheeler and the nineT Scrambler turned out to be a good companion in this sequence. The BMW motorcycle comes with a 1,170cc 'Boxer' engine thundering down the roads at 110 bhp and 119 Nm. It’s mated to a 6-speed gearbox which is shaft-driven. If you want proof of how well it handles, watch the movie.
BMW M5
The BMW M5 was unveiled earlier this year and it’s already featured in a Hollywood flick. A star is born indeed.
The M5 comes with a powerful 4.4-litre V8 biturbo engine with TwinPower Turbo technology and the newly-developed high-performance M xDrive all-wheel drive system. It's capable of churning out 600bhp of power and develops 750Nm of peak torque.
BMW 7 Series
The BMW 7 Series is BMW’s magnum opus and an aspirational car for many people. Though the sedan was introduced almost 3 years ago, it's still one of the most beloved luxury sedans of all time.
The 7 Series is based on the all-new CLAR modular architecture and has futuristic features like gesture control, 3D graphics interface, remote park assist, a heads-up display unit and a bevy of additional features.
The commander-in-chief of this ship is a 4.4-litre TwinPower Turbo V8 engine that’s the same that you have seen on the M5.
1986 BMW 5 Series
To add to the illustrious portfolio of cars is another piece of history, the 1986 BMW 5 Series E28. Not many were expecting Tom Cruise to choose a near-vintage four-wheeler for an action sequence but boy did this car fly! The car was initially released in 1981 and sports a similar look to its predecessor, which is the E12.
Though the 86’ BMW isn’t a tech-loaded vehicle, it does churn out some gripping power with the help of a 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder petrol engine variants of the sedan. This was the first 5-Series to come with anti-lock braking system (ABS). Its top speed is 180 kmph, not bad for something that ran on the street in the late 80’s.
Other ‘Mentionables’
Though BMW was hogging most of the limelight in this action series, there were other very subtle insertions which also had an impactful role to play. Like for instance, Rebecca Ferguson who plays an MI6 agent is on a mission to assassinate Solomon Lane (the antagonist).
She ends up chasing Tom Cruise through the streets of Paris in a Triumph Tiger 1200 XcX, which is considered to be more of an adventure tourer rather a street friendly motorcycle.
In the end, the Triumph Tiger wins the race as Ilsa (Rebecca) manages to intercept the BMW classic.
Triumph 1-0 BMW
Though, right after that Tom knocks the Tiger off the road with his 1986 BMW 5 Series sedan and gets away!
Triumph 1-1 BMW
Also, we saw glimpses of the Land Rover Range Rover but again they came and went sooner than we could say Tata (no pun intended).
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)