Template:Infobox vehicles
For the fictional band, see The Ambulance.
The Ambulance is an emergency vehicle that has appeared in every game in the series (except Grand Theft Auto 2, where there is a different vehicle named Medicar). It is manufactured by Brute in the HD Universe.
Design
The vehicle is, invariably, a van or truck-based emergency vehicle (usually a cutaway van), featuring red and white lights, sirens and a matching paint scheme, complete with its typical letters on backwards. Throughout the series, the siren sound has varied slightly, as has the design of the vehicle itself. If the player decides to go on a killing spree or get into a fight, so to say, and pedestrians are killed, an ambulance will arrive and two paramedics will get out and attempt to revive the wounded. Typically, if paramedics are killed, it creates more police attention than other civilians.
In all the 3D Universe games, the player receives 20 points of health upon entering an Ambulance. In Grand Theft Auto IV, the player can even dial 911 to summon an Ambulance, from which the player can replenish their health for a price, or steal to regain some, but not all, of their health. Depending of the remaining health, the paramedics will take up to $950 (though the calculation will consider $1000 as the maximum value, is not possible to recover from an empty health point).
The Ambulance prominently comes in a red and white paint schemes, with the exception of GTA 1's Ambulance in Vice City, which features a green-white paint scheme and the GTA V's versions are white and orange; white, blue and red; & red and white.
2D Universe
The Ambulance in Grand Theft Auto 1 is depicted as a generic pickup-style Ambulance, possibly a Ford E-Series. Depending of the city, the Liberty City version has a white and red color scheme, the San Andreas version the same scheme with the Star of Life marked on the roof and the Vice City version the same as the Liberty City model, but replacing the red color with a green color.
The Grand Theft Auto: London rendition is based on a European or British model, most probably a Bedford CA. It is always white with a red square and a white cross, as well as two blue beacons.
3D Universe
Ambulances in Grand Theft Auto III through to Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories are based on various generations of the Ford E-Series chassis, mainly the third and fourth generations. The rear compartment's design remained the same in all models, but the cabin and details are different in each city.
The Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories renditions, labeled "Liberty City Ambulance", have a cabin roughly similar to that of the Pony, but with smaller headlights and thinner appearance. It is prominently white with a red stripe surrounding across the entire bodywork. The rear end features single tail lamps, a yellow/amber lightbar and a single door handle for the compartment doors, as well as a side door.
The Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories renditions, labeled "Vice City Ambulance", have a slightly older look, bearing no resemblance to any other vehicle. While having a similar scheme to the Liberty City model, a red color is added to the bottom and the stripes are now straighter. This model ommits some of the features present in the Liberty City model, such as the compartment side door, emergency lights next to the front lightbar and the yellow/amber lightbar on the rear end (this time featuring two fake rear-facing lamps on the rear end handlebars). The rear end are also different between the Vice City models, with the first one having reverse lights and a single door handle, while the second one only red lights and two door handles.
The Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas rendition, labeled "San Andreas Emergency Unit", is much simplier in design than the others, having a lightbar mounted on the car's roof instead of on the compartment, no stepsides and different fake emergency lights around the compartment. The design of the front end is loosely similar to that of the Landstalker, while the rear end lacks handlebars, single red tail lights and two door handles.
The Grand Theft Auto Advance rendition assumes a very generic design, comparable to that of the SWAT Van. Like the London model, it assumes a white color scheme, but with a red cross and a red lightbar mounted above the compartment's roof.
Grand Theft Auto IV
The Grand Theft Auto IV, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars and Grand Theft Auto V versions are based on the Burrito and carries a much larger box than the 3D Universe rendition. All versions takes influences from the GMC Sierra 3500 cab-chassis.
In GTA IV, it is used by the MS Paramedic and uses the same red/white scheme from the GTA Vice City rendition, but the red/white stripes are now in the same height as the cabin's windows. The Ambulance uses the same V-shaped light set found on LCPD patrol cars, as well as various fake emergency lights found around the vehicle. The Ambulance may come with an optional bull bar, that also includes the mirrored "Ambulance" stencil on what appears to be a wind deflector. Like the GTA III rendition, it has a side door, though unusable. All Ambulances are labeled "364".
The Ambulance reuses the primary and secondary siren tones from other emergency vehicles in the game, however, it has a unique warning tone which is much faster than the regular police warning tone.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
In GTA Chinatown Wars, the Nintendo DS version of the Ambulance assumes a design that takes elements from the 3D Universe and the HD Universe iterations, while the iOS version resembles the GTA IV Ambulance, but the fake emergency lights are not visible on the sides.
Grand Theft Auto V
In GTA V there are three ambulance liveries in game. The first one reads Los Santos Medical Center, the second one Mission Row San Andreas and the third one Los Santos Fire Department. The LSFD livery appears to be the dominant one with the other two likely being private companies. However, which version is dispatched when dialing 911 is random. The Ambulance used by the Los Santos Fire Department has a livery based on the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The model itself remains mostly unchanged from its appearance in GTA IV. The main lightbar is replaced with a standard all-red 4-rotor light bar. Due to a revamped lighting system, the ambulance's rear and side lights now function, as well as the grille lights. The rear lights are also moved down slightly. More lights are also added to the model, those above the front and rear arches. A pair of reversing lights are added to the rear lighting setup.
In the enhanced version of GTA V, the Ambulance has its own unique siren sound. The siren resembles that of GTA Vice City police and fire truck sirens. The siren set is composed of three tones; a unique primary and secondary tone, as well as an additional warning tone also used on other emergency vehicles. The Ambulance has a standard saloon horn.
Current Design Gallery
Version History Gallery
Performance
2D Universe
Handling-wise, the Ambulance was originally average in GTA 1 and GTA London, featuring good acceleration and grip but average top speed, braking and handling. Their base export value in GTA 1 and GTA London is also considerably high: $1,400 in GTA 1 and £900 in GTA London; however, the vehicle, like other emergency vehicles, cannot be exported.
3D Universe
From GTA III onward, the Ambulance is fairly fast for its class and has decent brakes, but is very top heavy and unstable, making it prone to rolling over under rough cornering.
3D Universe Overview
Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh) |
Gears | Engine | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) |
Mass (kg / lbs) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | 118 / 190 (GTA III & GTA VC) 96 / 155 (GTA SA - GTA VCS) |
5 | Diesel | AWD | 2600 / 5732 |
N/A | N/A | 5 | N/A | AWD | Cannot be observed |
Grand Theft Auto IV
In GTA IV, the Ambulance is responsive for a large vehicle, given its design as an emergency vehicle, a strong turbocharged 4.5L diesel engine and the AWD layout. Acceleration is good, and the top speed is high. Handling is smooth, with soft suspension that may sometimes swing the Ambulance's wide body around corners. Braking is good and can stop the Ambulance in a fairly short distance, depending on the speed of the vehicle, at the cost of decreased effectiveness when taking corners, as the vehicle will not turn under braking pressure.
GTA IV Overview
Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh) |
Gears | Engines | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) |
Mass (kg / lbs) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | 87 / 140 | 5 | N/A | AWD 50% FWD 50% RWD |
2500 / 5512 |
N/A | N/A | N/A | Turbocharged 4.5L Diesel (Badging) | N/A | N/A |
N/A | N/A | 5 | F4 Inline-4 (In-game model) | AWD | Cannot be observed |
Grand Theft Auto V
Ambulances in Grand Theft Auto V perform slightly better than their last appearance, with upgraded handling, the vehicle has acceptable suspension and is able to perform maneuvers much better than in GTA IV. What's more, the vehicle seems to be more stable under braking, sharp turns and high speed cornering. The Ambulance is slightly more rigid in terms of body damage, showing little deformation as a whole, but is still considerably weak for its size, and the vehicle cannot take as much engine damage. The front guard also serves little purpose, as it detaches from the vehicle under the smallest of collisions. The vehicle has all wheel drive, but still struggles to deliver this extra power, particularly in off-road conditions, where all wheel drive usually serves its usage best. The player is recommended to use this vehicle with due care, as it is not able to push vehicles out of the way as effortlessly as the GTA IV counterpart. The player can also stand on top of a moving Ambulance without the risk of falling off.[1]
The vehicle is powered by a compact twin cam inline-4 with a mounted turbocharger. The engine sound is again unique for this vehicle, carried over from GTA IV, and does not match its standard chassis variant, the Burrito, nor its other service counterparts, the Rental Shuttle Bus and Tourbus. The engine is laid transversely and is coupled to a 5 speed gearbox, powering all 4 wheels.
GTA V Overview
Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh) |
Gears | Engine | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) |
Mass (kg / lbs) |
Fuel Tank Size (litres) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | 87 / 140 | 5 | N/A | AWD 50% FWD 50% RWD |
2500 / 5512 | 70 |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
6.7 Seconds | 118 / 190 | 5 | FR Turbocharged Inline-4 (In-game model) | AWD | Cannot be observed | Cannot be observed |
Prominent Appearances in Missions
Grand Theft Auto 1
- The first version is featured in the vehicle mission Heist Almighty - Stallion, in which the protagonist has to hijack an Ambulance waiting near a hospital, use it for picking up a DA at another hospital, and take him to a meat warehouse.
- The second version appears in mission Tequila Slammer - Phone 8: Mission 1, in which El Burro needs some props for his friend's movie. The player has to get some vehicles for them, including an Ambulance.
Grand Theft Auto III
- Import/Export - The Ambulance is one of the 23 vehicles wanted for the Portland Island portion of the Import/Export side mission.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Intensive Care - CJ needs to rescue Johnny Sindacco inside an ambulance controlled by the Forelli Family.
- Madd Dogg - Two Ambulances are parked outside Ivory Towers Drive-Thru Mental Clinic.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
- Night of the Livid Dreads - An ambulance is used to send the wounded Yardie member Rudyard to the hospital. It appears only in the final cutscene.
- Morgue Party Resurrection - Toni Cipriani needs to steal the ambulance that Avery Carrington is in on the way to the pathology labs.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
- Under the Gun - An ambulance gets Ling to the hospital in the end.
- Flatliner - Huang Lee needs to steal the ambulance that Uri is in at the airport.
Grand Theft Auto V
- An Ambulance is seen driving away from the car accident in Pulling One Last Favor.
- Several appeaer in either approach of The Bureau Raid
- In the Roof entry approach, if a skilled driver is picked, they will turn up in an Ambulance to pick up the crew.
- In the Roof entry approach, 3 Ambulances are seen responding to the blaze of the building, alongside several Police Cruisers and Firetrucks, during the rappel sequence.
- One is later parked outside after reaching ground level.
- In the Fire crew approach, 2 Ambulances are seen outside the building after the crew have escaped the building.
Grand Theft Auto Online
- The Doomsday Heist
- An Ambulance is seen responding on a car accident in the preparation mission "Paramedic Equipment", where the heist crew have to steal it.
- It is later used in the setup mission "Dead Courier".
Paramedic Side-Mission
Main article: Paramedic
The Paramedic side-mission can be toggled on or off when driving the ambulance in all GTA III-era games. This mission requires the player to find, pick up and deliver patients to the hospital within a time limit, while endeavoring to drive as safely as possible (each bump further injures the passengers). With every level comes another patient to deliver, increasing the difficulty. Usually when the player beats level 12 the mission is complete (but can be carried on and replayed later) and a reward is achieved, e.g. infinite sprint or extra health.
Locations
In all Grand Theft Auto games, Ambulances are scripted to respond to injuries of NPCs caused by the player. In Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto V, the player is also able to call paramedics to send out an Ambulance.
The Ambulance, in most of its appearances, naturally spawns outside hospitals.
Grand Theft Auto III - Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
- Sweeney General Hospital, Portland View, Portland Island
- Carson General Hospital, Rockford, Staunton Island
- Hope Medical College, Pike Creek, Shoreside Vale
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
- Ocean View Hospital, Ocean Beach
- Shady Palms Hospital, Vice Point
- West Haven Community Healthcare Center, Little Havana (Vice City Stories only)
- Schuman Health Care Center, Downtown
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- County General Hospital, Jefferson, Los Santos
- All Saints General Hospital, Market, Los Santos
- Crippen Memorial, Montgomery, Red County
- Angel Pine Medical Center, Angel Pine, Whetstone
- San Fierro Medical Center, Santa Flora, San Fierro
- El Quebrados Medical Center, El Quebrados, Tierra Robada
- Fort Carson Medical Center, Fort Carson, Bone County
- Las Venturas Hospital, Las Venturas Airport, Las Venturas
- Ivory Towers Drive-Thru Mental Clinic, Las Venturas (only during Madd Dogg)
- Carl also obtains an ambulance in Las Venturas during the course of the mission Intensive Care.
- Occasionally, the Ambulance can been driven around San Andreas state. The fastest way to obtain an ambulance is to kill some pedestrians; an ambulance will mostly spawn and the player can steal it.
Grand Theft Auto IV
- Westdyke Memorial Hospital, Leftwood, Alderney
- Bohan Medical & Dental Center, Bohan
- Schottler Medical Center, Schottler, Broker
- Lancet-Hospital Center, Lancaster, Algonquin
- City Hall Hospital, City Hall, Algonquin
- Ambulances can be obtained by dialing 911 and choosing ambulance by dialing 2 after the initial call.
Grand Theft Auto V
- Like all other ambulances, they are found at hospitals in San Andreas.
- One may sometimes spawn at the Paleto Bay Sheriff's Office.
- Dialing 911 for Emergency Services and choose Ambulance to obtain one.
- Will arrive at locations where a pedestrian has been run over or shot, if there is no wanted level in place, such as locations of police shootouts or fights in which the player is not involved. (In Director Mode, they will always arrive in such situations so long as wanted levels are disabled).
Image Gallery
2D Universe
3D Universe
HD Universe
Trivia
General
- Ambulances featured between GTA III and GTA Vice City Stories feature a slightly altered Star of Life, with yet another sexual innuendo of GTA; a sperm in place of the Asclepius symbol.
- In GTA III-era games, the ambulance's siren sounds are "hi-lo" and "yelp", similar to the European emergency sirens. However, in all other GTA games, San Andreas and the rest of HD Universe, the ambulance has the same siren sound as the Police Car, Fire Truck and other emergency vehicles ("wail" and "yelp", from GTA IV onwards also "phaser").
- In all GTA III-era games, the paramedic's animation of rescuing pedestrians resembles a CPR, an emergency medical procedure that involves chest compressions and artificial respiration.
- In GTA Advance, the Ambulance has a truck horn. Also, if the game is paused and unpaused while the siren is switched on, it will turn into a police siren until it's switched off again.
- The rear compartment of the Ambulance in the HD Universe seems to be nothing but a black compartment with two side seats. This is rather unusual, as the vehicle in the 3D Universe games have the same compartment properly rendered and visible when the rear doors are removed.
- In fact, by managing to see through the Ambulance's rear compartment, one can see the black room's length is roughly half of the compartment's model.
- The Ambulance in GTA IV and V has a rear-view mirror despite being a vehicle with no visibility to the back window.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- In San Andreas, when an Ambulance is dispatched, it can be noted that one of the two back doors (sometimes both) will lack the decals. Those which are found in a scripted spawn point (such as a hospital) will always spawn with the two complete doors. Sometimes dispatched Ambulances appear with complete doors, though this is rare.
- If the player turns on the sirens in the middle of a slow-motion Unique Stunt Jump, they will sound normal and not slowed down.
- The Ambulance, together with the Enforcer is the second most durable vehicle in the game as seen in the vehicle stats in GTA San Andreas. The first is obviously the Rhino.
- In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, ambulances will never be dispatched in the countryside and the desert, despite the countryside and desert having hospitals.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
- In GTA Vice City Stories, when turning on the sirens on while performing a Unique Stunt Jump, a special siren can be heard.
Grand Theft Auto IV
- In Grand Theft Auto IV the Ambulance's flashing lights reflect on the ground as red and blue but there are only red and white lights on the truck.
- It is nearly impossible to damage the siren of the Ambulance. Unless blown up, it almost always plays properly.
Grand Theft Auto V
- Mission Row San Andreas shares its initials with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a bacterial infection notorious for its outbreaks in hospitals.
- Unlike GTA IV, the rear lights now features reverse lights. However, the rear lights on the ambulance are incorrectly colored. The turn signals are colored red while the tail/brake lights are colored amber.
- The siren was altered for the PS4/XB1 version; it is now similar, albeit much lower-pitched, to the 3D Universe police siren since GTA Vice City.
- Despite the Ambulance having a total of 8 rotators inside the lightbar, only 4 actually rotate and flash, the rest do not.
- The rear interior was significantly shortened in the enhanced version, where it is now only half of the rear body of the truck.
- The Los Santos Medical Center variant of the Ambulance has a small decal on the bottom of both front doors reading '4AG-86', referring to the Toyota AE86 and its engine, the 4AGE. Similarly, the Los Santos Fire Department variant has a decal in the same location reading 'RB26-32R', referring to the Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) and its engine, the RB26DETT. Both Easter eggs may be references to the Initial D series, which featured both the AE86 and R32 GT-R.
See Also
- Medicar - A car-based variant in Grand Theft Auto 2.
- Air Ambulance - Helicopter counterpart in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.
- The medical variant of the Police Maverick in Grand Theft Auto V.
References
- ↑ File data:
vehicles.meta: FLAG_PEDS_CAN_STAND_ON_TOP