In the world of action cinema, some partnerships are written in the stars. For Jackie Chan, that partner wasn’t just a fellow martial artist—it was Mitsubishi Motors. Since the early 1980s, the Japanese automaker and the Hong Kong superstar have shared a bond that transformed “commuter cars” into high-performance stunt machines.
From the rugged streets of Hong Kong to the high-tech labs of Japan, here is the story of how Jackie Chan turned Mitsubishi into a global cultural icon.
From Subaru to Starion
Before the Mitsubishi era officially began, Jackie’s entry into modern car-centric films started with a bit of an outlier. In the 1981 Hollywood hit The Cannonball Run, Jackie was seen behind the wheel of a high-tech Subaru DL 4WD.
However, by the time the sequel, Cannonball Run II, arrived in 1984, the transition was complete. Jackie played a Mitsubishi engineer driving a Mitsubishi Starion—a car so advanced for its time it featured night vision and even underwater capabilities. This marked the start of an exclusive deal: if Jackie was driving in a movie, it was going to be a Mitsubishi.
The “Action-Comedy” Evolution
As Jackie moved away from the traditional “period piece” Kung Fu films of the 70s, Mitsubishi provided the tools he needed to modernize his stunts.
The Icons of the 80s
In Wheels on Meals (1984), we saw the birth of a legend: the bright yellow Mitsubishi L300 (Delica) food truck. This wasn’t just a van; it was a character in itself, performing drifts and escapes that proved even a family vehicle could be “cool” in Jackie’s hands.
The partnership hit a creative peak in Armour of God (1986). While the film featured the rugged Pajero for heavy lifting, the undisputed star was the Mitsubishi Mirage Spyder. This custom-built, futuristic open-top hero car was packed with gadgets and remains one of the most recognizable vehicles in Jackie’s entire filmography.
Thunderbolt and the “Special Edition” Lancer
The ultimate “love letter” to this partnership is undoubtedly the 1995 film Thunderbolt. Jackie played an ex-Mitsubishi test driver in a film that felt like a 100-minute high-octane commercial. It featured the legendary Lancer Evolution III, the GTO (3000GT), and the FTO.
This bond was so strong that Mitsubishi eventually released a “Jackie Chan Special Edition” Lancer Evolution IX in the mid-2000s—a rare “unicorn” in the JDM world, limited to only 50 units worldwide.
A Legacy of Speed
Jackie Chan didn’t just drive these cars; he made us believe they were invincible. Whether he was jumping a Pajero across a ravine or drifting a Lancer through a crowded Rotterdam market, the message was clear: Mitsubishi was the brand for those who lived life on the edge.
As we look back at over 30 films, one question remains: Which of Jackie’s Mitsubishis would you want in your garage? Let us know in the comments below!
