Dilettante

The Karin Dilettante is a hybrid vehicle which debuted in Grand Theft Auto IV.

Design
The Dilettante is depicted as a compact four-door hatchback based on a 2004-2009 Toyota Prius, with headlights from a Citroën C4, and a shape thats less based on the Prius, but more on the Honda Insight, with it's lower roof line over the rear seat area. The taillights are very similar to that of the Buick Rendezvous. According to a radio advertisement in the game, the Dilettante is worth $39,999 brand new; which is more expensive then the Prius in real life; which is about $22,000.

Performance
The Dilettante, powered by a small (&lt;2L) petrol engine along with an electric motor, is coupled to a 5 speed gearbox in FWD configuration. Acceleration, predictably, is well below average; taking the Dilettante upwards of 10 seconds to reach its top speed of 135 km/h (84 mph), which for an electric/gas hybrid is rather brisk. Handling can be described as fair, though understeer is very noticeable. The suspension is firm enough to cope with high speed cornering, while soft enough to tackle Liberty City's rough streets. Braking is very good, and ABS is standard across the line. Crash deformation is acceptable, though engine build quality is below average. In all, the Dilettante is an underwhelming vehicle, unsuited to high-performance applications such as high-speed chases or escapes, or ramming other vehicles.

Trivia

 * The word dilettante means a dabbler in fine arts, or a connoisseur. It can also mean amateurish or superficial, the latter meaning playing into the stereotype of hybrid owners as caring more about being perceived as eco-friendly than actually trying to help the environment (as is suggested in the advertisement for the car).
 * Unlike other vehicles advertised on the radio, the Dilettante is the first advertised vehicle to be made available to the player.
 * The two default radio stations in the Dilettante are IF99 - International Funk and K109 The Studio.
 * At the end of the Dilettante advertisement on the Rockstar website the car is caved in at the front despite it being "new"

Locations



 * A uniquely brown Dilettante is requested in Stevie's car requests, located accross the road from Big Willis Mall in Willis, Dukes.
 * It mostly spawns in Easton, Algonquin.
 * It usually can spawn anywhere in Liberty City (especially if seen), but most commonly in Algonquin.
 * Commonly spawns at Auto Eroticar in Alderney.
 * Can rarely be found in an abandoned lot near the train yard in Broker.
 * Can spawn while driving a Patriot around Alderney.