- "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.
Contents
Design
Grand Theft Auto IV
- "Bad plus good equals better for everyone. Chicks love electric gadgets."
- ―Slogan for the Dilettante.
The Dilettante is a compact four-door liftback that is largely based on the second generation Toyota Prius sold from 2003 (model year 2004) to 2009. However, it has headlights from a Citroën C4, and a body shape that is more similar to the Honda Insight, with its lower roofline over the rear seat area. The tail lights are very similar to that of the 2003 Buick Rendezvous.
The front of the car is very simple, featuring a wide open section and the license plate on the center of the bumper, as well as a small mesh grille and L-shaped housings with four circular headlights and two small turn signals on either side. The hood is very slanted and has a similar angle to the windshield, bearing the manufacturer emblem just above the grille.
On the sides, 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. The cabin area is relatively curved and tall, with the window trims, inner pillars and rear-quarter sections finished in black, as well as the lines separating the roof panel from the rest of the car. A set of rounded mirror shells can be seen near the A-pillars, as well as an aerial on the rear section. The rear window of the trunk compartment door is very slanted, similar to the front windshield.
The rear end of the car bears large tail light units, consisting of triangle-shaped turn signals on the rear quarters, large square-shaped main and brake lights on the middle and a single rectangular reverse light above the license plate area. The same black finish from the sides is seen above the tail light units, while the lower corners of the trunk compartment door bears silver lettering displaying the names of the car and the manufacturer. The rear bumper is relatively bulky and has a black section at the bottom, which houses a wide mesh vent and triangular exhaust tips. 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. According to advertisements in GTA IV, a new Dilettante starts at $39,999.
The vehicle is only available in a variety of single-tone colors for the body and the rear-view mirrors. It also uses five-spoke wide rims with small triangular open sections around, wrapped in medium-profile tires.
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 and Grand Theft Auto Online
For Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online, the Dilettante retains the same design and features as before, but the rear trunk compartment door bears a single badge on the driver-side lower corner, displaying the manufacturer name. In the enhanced version, it gains a restored interior used on cars like the Taxi and the Police/Sheriff Cruiser.
Again, the car is only seen in a variety of single-tone colors and retains the same five-spoke wide rims and medium-profile tires.
Current Design Gallery
Version History Gallery
Performance
Grand Theft Auto IV
Despite having two sources of power as expected from a hybrid, 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.
The Dilettante is powered by an electric motor and an internal combustion engine at the same time (a V8 engine judging by the cover), coupled with a 5-speed automatic gearbox in a FWD configuration. The engine sound is rather smooth, comparable to the Stratum, the Solair and the Ingot. However, it has an additional tone, likely from the electric motor.
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 and Grand Theft Auto Online
The car in GTA V is noticeably quicker than in GTA IV, with an acceleration rate of about 7,1 seconds to get to 60 mph, and a top speed of 90 mph. It is also 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, and is also severely affected by bullets. As per the majority of vehicles transitioning from GTA IV to GTA V, it is noticeably more rigid.
The Dilettante is powered by an electric motor at under 40 mph (64 km/h), then a V8 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.
GTA V/GTA Online 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 and Grand Theft Auto Online
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 and Grand Theft Auto Online
- A patrol/security variant of the Dilettante is used by Merryweather Security guards to patrol certain areas. This variant comes in a white livery 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. It should be noted that in the files, the car is set to spawn in black, which is only seen on the inner trims of the doors and the underside of the hood.
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.
The Ballad of Gay Tony
- Bang Bang - A Dilettante spawns near the target construction crane, which is scripted to explode when the player blows up the crane.
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.
Grand Theft Auto V
- Civilian
- 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.
- Security
- 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. Caution should be taken, as stealing it will provoke the security guard driving it and a 1-star wanted level is applied.
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. This is because it reuses the same interior textures from the Vapid Taxi and the Police Cruiser.
- 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".
