Grand Theft Auto cars in real life: what each character drives

Grand Theft Auto VI is on the horizon. This highly-anticipated game has been in the works for so long now that it’s become a bit of a joke online – it’s been more than 12 years since the last new GTA game after all.

Well, now a new trailer has dropped to give you a flavour of GTA 6’s storyline. It looks like it’ll track the love story between two outlaws, Lucia Caminos and Jason Duval, in Vice City – a fictional place which is based on Miami in Florida and first explored in 2002’s GTA: Vice City.

Cars play a big role in Grand Theft Auto games, and every model you can drive is based on a real car. In the trailer for GTA 6 you can already see vehicles resembling a Ford F150, a Ford Ranchero and a Mercedes S-Class.

You’ll have to wait for the full game to be released to see what other cars you can buy, borrow and steal as you progress through the story. However now seems like a good time to take a look back through the cars of Grand Theft Auto 5, because the attention to detail which goes into both the design and the allocation of each model to a character is mind-blowing.

Let’s take a closer look at what each of the main characters drive.

Franklin Clinton: Bravado Buffalo S

Franklin is the first of three playable characters you are introduced to in GTA 5, and he’s also arguably the main protagonist. Throughout the game he drives an Ice White Bravado Buffalo S, which is based on a Dodge Charger – most likely the SRT8.

This means under the bonnet is a 6.4-litre V8 engine with 470hp driving the rear wheels only. It’ll do 0-60mph in around 4.2 seconds, and go on to a top speed of 175mph.

Fairly early in the game Franklin also picks up a Western Bagger motorbike following a repossession gone wrong, and this is likely based on a Harley Davidson.

Michael De Santa (Townley): Obey Tailgater

Next up we have Michael – a filthy rich, slightly depressed and cantankerous former bank robber who was forced into early retirement to protect his family. He’s obsessed with keeping up his image, and so drives an Obey Tailgater – known in the real world as the Audi A6.

Michael is pretty old at heart, despite only being in his mid-40s, so it’s likely that he’d go for the S6. That’s enough power and badge appeal to show off, without being as hardcore as the RS6. In 2013 the S6 had a 4.0-litre V8 with 444hp and all-wheel drive, and it would do 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds.

Later on in the game Michael runs into trouble which results in his son stealing his car and his family abandoning him after a spate of ill-tempered outbursts, so your car is temporarily replaced with a Declasse Premier – which was based on the Chevrolet Cobalt. This was a slightly depressing budget car which was likely given to you to reflect the downward spiral of Michael’s mental health.

Trevor Phillips: Canis Bodhi

The last of the three main characters is Trevor Phillips – a volatile, mentally unstable character who lives in the desert and is usually either taking or manufacturing nefarious substances. He doesn’t care about how he’s perceived, and is all about function over form. He therefore drives a Canis Bodhi.

This two-door off-road pickup truck appears to be based on a Kaiser Jeep, an american military vehicle from the late 1960s which uses a 3.8-litre straight-six petrol engine in real life, however Trevor’s car sounds like it might be a diesel in the game.

Dave Norton: Ubermacht Oracle

Dave Norton is the secret agent who helped Micheal escape his past life and create a new identity for himself. Having had an exciting career out in the field, he’s now resigned to a life as a pencil-pushing desk jockey in an office. So naturally he drives a BMW 5 Series.

It’s called the Ubermacht Oracle in GTA 5, and Dave’s car is most likely something middle-of-the-road like a 530i. It’s powered by a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine with around 270hp.

Devin Weston: Truffade Adder

Millionaire playboy Devin Weston is about as insufferable as characters get in GTA 5, using his wealth and power to make each of the protagonists’ lives miserable as the game goes on. He’s seen driving a few different cars throughout the game, including a Declasse Tornado – based on the Chevrolet Bel Air – that ends up at the bottom of a cliff.

His most noteworthy car though is the Truffade Adder, which is meant to be a Bugatti Veyron. It’s no surprise to see such an egotistical sociopath driving what is essentially the ultimate status symbol, with a 1,000hp quad-turbocharged W16 engine to make sure he can outrun all the people he’s screwed over.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

Click here to follow us on WhatsApp, where you can keep up-to-date with all the latest news, reviews, advice guides and videos.