- "The best hybrid in its class. Includes a nifty dashboard screen with animations showing you how much gas you are saving, while completely ignoring the thousand pounds of toxic batteries on board. Go green!"
- ―Southern San Andreas Super Autos description.
The Karin Dilettante is a hybrid electric four-door liftback featured in Grand Theft Auto IV, Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online.
Design
Grand Theft Auto IV
- "Bad plus good equals better for everyone. Chicks love electric gadgets."
- ―Slogan for the Dilettante.
The vehicle itself has a large windscreen which is at a similar angle as the hood. The styling is very uniform, with many straight lines flowing throughout the body of the car, uninterrupted. However, the flared wheel arches are very exaggerated which give the car depth. According to advertisements in GTA IV, a new Dilettante starts at $39,999.
The Dilettante is said to have an interior dashboard screen, similar to the real Toyota Prius. However, there is no actual dashboard screen in-game. The Dilettante is equipped with a GPS system with a male voice, but only if the player leaves the "selected cars" (default) option in the audio menu.
Grand Theft Auto V
For Grand Theft Auto V, the Dilettante retains the same design and qualities as before, only that the rear end had minor tweaks on the badges.
Current Design Gallery
Version History Gallery
Performance
Grand Theft Auto IV
The Dilettante is powered by an electric motor and an internal combustion engine at the same time, coupled with a 5-speed automatic gearbox in a FWD configuration.
Despite having two sources of power, the Dilettante accelerates very slowly, and transmission choice does not make a difference. It has a top speed which is among the lowest in the game. The Dilettante, due to the dreadful turning radius, understeers at moderate-to-high speeds. The suspension is fairly soft, thus allowing the car to bounce around on rough roads.
GTA IV Overview
| Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) | Top Speed (mph / kmh) | Gears | Engines | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) | Mass (kg / lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 81 / 130 | 5 | N/A | FWD | 1400 / 3086 |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | 5 | FF V8 (Cover) | FWD | Cannot be observed |
Grand Theft Auto V
The Dilettante is powered by an electric motor at under 40 mph (64 km/h), then an internal combustion engine for most of the time with a single speed (CVT) as standard. The car's combustion engine is also noticeable in terms of sound, with a unique, roary tone.
The car in GTA V is noticeably quicker than that found in GTA IV. The car is more manageable than the Prairie, especially when turning at low to moderate speeds. However, it has considerably weak bodywork, as even low speed crashes can result in major body deformation. It is also severely affected by bullets. As per the majority of vehicles transitioning from GTA IV to GTA V, it is noticeably more rigid.
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 | 80 / 130 | 1 | N/A | FWD | 1400 / 3086 | 65 |
| N/A | 130 / 209 | 1 | Hybrid (Website) | FWD | 1400 / 3086 | N/A |
| 7.53 seconds | 84 / 136 | 1 | FF V8 (Cover) Electric motor (Under 40 mph/64 kmh) | RWD | Cannot be observed | Cannot be observed |
 | Speed | 69.751678% | ||||
| Acceleration | 25% | |||||
| Braking | 20% | |||||
| Traction | 53.333336% | |||||
Modifications
Grand Theft Auto V
Note that only the civilian version can be modified. The security version can only be repaired and modified with explosives.
| Category | Modification | Cost (GTA V) | Cost (GTA Online) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armor | No Armor | $100 | $200 | |
| Armor Upgrade 20% | $500 | $4,500 | ||
| Armor Upgrade 40% | $1,250 | $7,500 | ||
| Armor Upgrade 60% | $2,000 | $12,000 | ||
| Armor Upgrade 80% | $3,500 | $21,000 | ||
| Armor Upgrade 100% | $5,000 | $30,000 | ||
| Brakes | Stock Brakes | $100 | $200 | |
| Street Brakes | $2,000 | $4,000 | ||
| Sport Brakes | $2,700 | $5,400 | ||
| Race Brakes | $3,500 | $7,000 | ||
| Engine | EMS Upgrade, Level 1 | $900 | $1,800 | |
| EMS Upgrade, Level 2 | $1,250 | $2,500 | ||
| EMS Upgrade, Level 3 | $1,800 | $3,600 | ||
| EMS Upgrade, Level 4 | $3,350 | $6,700 | ||
| Explosives | Ignition Bomb | N/A | $5,000 | |
| Remote Bomb | N/A | $7,500 | ||
| Horns | Main article: Los Santos Customs/Horns | - | - | |
| Lights | Headlights | Stock Lights | $100 | $200 |
| Xenon Lights | $300 | $3,000 | ||
| Neon Kits | Main article: Los Santos Customs/Lights | - | - | |
| Loss/Theft Prevention | Tracker | N/A | $2,000 | |
| Full Coverage | N/A | $3,125 | ||
| Plates | Blue on White 1 | $50 | $200 | |
| Blue on White 2 | $50 | $200 | ||
| Blue on White 3 | $50 | $200 | ||
| Yellow on Blue | $75 | $300 | ||
| Yellow on Black | $150 | $600 | ||
| Respray | Main article: Los Santos Customs/Respray Colors | - | - | |
| Sell | Sell Vehicle | N/A | $2,500 | |
| Suspension | Stock Suspension | $100 | $200 | |
| Lowered Suspension | $500 | $1,000 | ||
| Street Suspension | $1,000 | $2,000 | ||
| Sport Suspension | $1,700 | $3,400 | ||
| Competition Suspension | $2,200 | $4,400 | ||
| Transmission | Stock Transmission | $100 | $200 | |
| Street Transmission | $2,950 | $5,900 | ||
| Sports Transmission | $3,250 | $6,500 | ||
| Race Transmission | $4,000 | $8,000 | ||
| Turbo | None | $500 | $1,000 | |
| Turbo Tuning | $2,500 | $30,000 | ||
| Wheels | Main article: Los Santos Customs/Wheels | - | - | |
| Windows | None | $100 | $500 | |
| Light Smoke | $200 | $1,500 | ||
| Dark Smoke | $450 | $3,500 | ||
| Limo | $700 | $5,000 | ||
Image Gallery
Video
Special Variants
Grand Theft Auto IV
- A Dilettante is requested as part of Stevie's Car Thefts, appearing with a unique beechwood brown body. As a new Dilettante will respawn at the same spot until the player delivers one to S&M Auto Sales, the player can save one at their safehouse before delivering another.
Grand Theft Auto V
- A patrol/security variant of the Dilettante is used by Merryweather Security guards. This version comes in a white paint job with blue stripes on the sides, featuring the Merryweather emblem and "Patrol Protection Officer" on the sides. It also features a Wiwang two way radio in its dashboard, not present in the standard version (which is also used by the GTA V Police Cruisers). In Grand Theft Auto Online, it cannot be insured or stored in the player's garage.
Prominent Appearances in Missions
Grand Theft Auto IV
- Stevie's Car Thefts - The Dilettante is one of the 30 vehicles wanted by the Stevie's Car Thefts in the side-mission of the same name.
Grand Theft Auto V
- Fame or Shame - Lazlow Jones drives a red Dilettante while Trevor and Michael pursue him in a Phantom. Shortly after entering the Los Santos Storm Drain, the Dilettante's battery runs out, ending the chase, and Lazlow is cornered by the two protagonists.
Grand Theft Auto Online
- Several Merryweather Dilettantes were featured in Steal Equipment mission, one of the Help Your DJ Jobs of Nightclub Management.
- Nine models need to be destroyed in Repo - Sasquashed.
- A Merryweather Dilettante appeared in Heist Prep: Gruppe Sechs Gear Part 2.
Notable Owners
- Lazlow Jones owns a red Dilettante, as seen in the mission Fame or Shame.
- Big Boy, the DJ of Radio Los Santos, owns a modified Dilettante that has Hydraulics.
- Merryweather owns white and blue Dilettantes with a "Patrol" decal as their security cars.
- Marilyn owns a blue Dilettante.
Locations
Grand Theft Auto IV
- A uniquely brown Dilettante is requested in Stevie's car requests, located across the road from Big Willis Mall in Willis, Dukes.
- It mostly spawns in Easton and Star Junction, but can spawn anywhere in Liberty City (especially if seen), but is most commonly seen in Algonquin and around Leftwood and Westdyke.
- Commonly spawns at Auto Eroticar in Alderney.
- Can spawn while driving a Patriot around Alderney.
- Lots of them may spawn in Northwood while driving a Super GT at late hours.
- A Dilettante is provided during the mission Weekend at Florian's.
The Ballad of Gay Tony
- It spawns near a construction crane, which is targeted to be exploded in the mission Bang Bang.
Grand Theft Auto V
- Standard
- Can be bought for $25,000 from Southern San Andreas Super Autos.
- Rarely can be seen driving around Marlowe Vineyards
- Very common when driving an Asterope.
- Rarely spawns around Rockford Hills, Vinewood and Alta.
- Sometimes found around Grand Senora Desert and Harmony.
- Merryweather
- Can be found patrolling various areas, such as Davis Quartz, Elysian Island and Vinewood Hills, sometimes near 3671 Whispymound Drive. They may spawn at any time of the day.
Rewards
Grand Theft Auto IV
- The Dilettante sells for $2,000 at S&M Auto Sales after completion of Stevie's Car Thefts.
Grand Theft Auto Online
- The Security Dilettante can be sold to Los Santos Customs for up to $2,500.
Trivia
General
- The default radio stations in the Dilettante are:
- GTA IV: IF99 - International Funk or K109 The Studio.
- Episodes from Liberty City: K109 The Studio or Vice City FM.
- GTA V: Lowdown FM or Space 103.2.
- In Italian, 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).
- The statement about toxic batteries for the Dilettante refers to the Toyota Prius having their batteries causing damage to the environment during mining and processing of the battery cells.
Grand Theft Auto IV
- Interestingly enough, the floor mats inside the Dilettante read "Vapid", yet the vehicle is manufactured by Karin, not Vapid.
- A green Dilettante identical to the billboard one can occasionally spawn in front of the Leftwood police station in the mission To Live and Die in Alderney.
- On the CNT TV station the Dilettante is advertised in a commercial after I'm Rich.
- The audio files for the radio advert for the Dilettante misspell the car as "Dilantante".
