The Esperanto is a vehicle appearing in the Grand Theft Auto series. It is manufactured by Albany in the HD Universe.
Design[]
3D Universe[]
The Esperanto made its first appearance in Grand Theft Auto III. Its design became more boxy in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and appeared alongside a similar classic coupe, the Remington. Despite the Remington being a lowrider, the Esperanto was not. The rounded design returned for Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. However, it returned to the boxy design in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.
The Esperanto is based on a ninth generation Cadillac Eldorado, more specifically the 1975 and 1976 models judging by the taillights. However, the vehicle has received significant changes throughout its appearances in these games.
When introduced in GTA III (and, later, in GTA Liberty City Stories), the Esperanto features a slightly curvy profile and flatter details. The GTA Vice City rendition (as well as the GTA Vice City Stories rendition) received a major retouch with the vehicle featuring a more angular body design, detailed fascia and rear fin that slant forward. The GTA San Andreas Esperanto is essentially similar in design as that of GTA Vice City, but noticeably sports differences in the rear, with its tailfin-based taillights reduced in height (implying they are now part of the rear bumper) and its rear license plate relocated from the trunk lid to the bumper. Similarly, the GTA Advance rendition maintains much of the physical traits of previous Esperanto's as seen from the top down.
One of the earliest known names of the car is the "Esparanto", revealed during development of GTA III and depicted in the Capital Autos website. Very early models of the possible Esparanto was more detailed, it had a brown vinyl roof and there were bigger resemblance to a real Cadillac from the seventies. The beta Esperanto was also intended to feature hydraulics, but the feature was dropped in the final release. This feature was passed to the Yardie Lobo, however.
HD Universe[]
In Grand Theft Auto IV, the Albany Esperanto is very different from earlier renditions. Rather than being a large two-door coupe, the new car is a mid-sized four-door sedan. Its styling inspiration appears to be a pastiche of common early-80s mid-size American car styling. The bumpers, sides (especially the wheel arches, side cladding, the slight kink behind the rear window, and the shape of the rear window) and bustle-back styling are based on the Lincoln Continental Mark VII. The front fascia is based on the 1982 Chevrolet Malibu, while the tail lights are extremely similar to those on a 1982 Pontiac Bonneville. The interior, which is shared with the Emperor, is also derived from the Bonneville.
Performance[]
3D Universe[]
Although performance aspects vary slightly between games for this vehicle, acceleration and speed are generally quite satisfying with the rear-drive V8 or I6 (depending on the game) powertrain. The one common problem with the Esperanto, however, is its notoriously bad brakes - a problem that is only exacerbated by the weight of the vehicle. When traveling at high speed, it takes some time to bring the vehicle to a stop which, besides often causing minor accidents, becomes a potentially fatal problem in GTA III, where Claude is unable to jump from a moving vehicle, exposing him to serious danger in a fast-moving Esperanto about to explode. The handling of the car is highly responsive, but again, the size and weight of the vehicle cause problems, predisposing it to two-wheeling and loss of control when overcompensating for a swerve at high speeds. However, its huge mass absorbs damage quite well, making it a good vehicle for ramming smaller ones (and even comparably sized ones) off the road. Usually using the handbrake with this car is more effective than using the main braking system.
The GTA San Andreas rendition has the same engine sound as the Blista Compact, Club, Feltzer, Flash, Jester, Majestic and Tahoma.
3D Universe Overview[]
| Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh) |
Gears | Engine | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) |
Mass (kg / lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 99 / 160 | 5 | Petrol | RWD | 1800 / 3968 |
| N/A | N/A | 5 | N/A | RWD | Cannot be observed |
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
The Esperanto is powered by a relatively lazy-feeling V6 engine, which is paired with a 5 speed gearbox in a RWD configuration. Overall, it is rather slow and dreary, in that acceleration is very poor and top speed is not very high. Handling is fairly acceptable, though some understeer can be felt. The suspension can be described as moderately firm, yet soft enough to cope with the rough streets of Liberty City. Braking has improved significantly over the 3D Universe Esperanto, though ABS is still not available. When crashed, this car appears to cope rather well. However, it is easy for the engine to become damaged.
GTA IV Overview[]
| Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh) |
Gears | Engines | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) |
Mass (kg / lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 75 / 120 | 5 | N/A | RWD | 1600 / 3527 |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | 5 | FR SOHC V8 (In-game model) | RWD | Cannot be observed |
Modifications[]
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[]
- The Esperanto can only be modified in a TransFender garage.
| Type | Upgrade | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Car Color 1 (64 different colors) | $ 150 |
| Nitro | 2x Nitrous | $ 200 |
| 5x Nitrous | $ 500 | |
| 10x Nitrous | $ 1000 | |
| Wheels | Import | $ 820 |
| Atomic | $ 770 | |
| Ahab | $ 1000 | |
| Virtual | $ 620 | |
| Access | $ 1140 | |
| Off Road Wheel | $ 1000 | |
| Mega | $ 1030 | |
| Grove | $ 1230 | |
| Twist | $ 1200 | |
| Wires | $ 1560 | |
| Car Stereo | Bass Boost | $ 100 |
| Hydraulics | Hydraulics | $ 1500 |
Gallery[]
Design[]
Version History[]
Variants[]
Roman's TaxiGrand Theft Auto IV & The Lost and Damned |
 (Rear quarter view) |
Roman Bellic owns a fleet of black Esperantos he uses as taxis for his business before the mission Hostile Negotiation, before they are replaced by grey Cavalcades. It is the first vehicle the player drives in Grand Theft Auto IV and is optionally seen in a mission in The Lost and Damned. |
Police RoadcruiserGrand Theft Auto V |
 (Rear quarter view) |
In Grand Theft Auto V, the North Yankton State Patrol used a fleet of Esperantos as police vehicles circa 2004. They are only seen in the mission Prologue. The vehicle itself does not appear in GTA V. |
Special Variant[]
In Grand Theft Auto III, there is a unique navy blue variant found in the Ghost Town. It appears to have bigger wheels and darker windows compared to the normal Esperanto, although it lacks an interior. However, it is simply a mere prop and it cannot be driven by the player.
Notable Owners[]
- Tanner drove an Esperanto in the mission "Two-Faced Tanner."
Prominent Appearances in Gameplay[]
Grand Theft Auto III[]
- Import/Export - The Esperanto is one of the 16 vehicles wanted for the Shoreside Vale portion of the Import/Export side mission.
- The Wife - An Esperanto is provided by Marty to pick up his wife from Classic Nails and bring her back to her husband. After she is brutally murdered, Claude gets rid of the evidence by dumping the car into the ocean.
- Two-Faced Tanner - Claude is tasked with killing Tanner, who is seen leaving Kenji's Casino in one.
Grand Theft Auto Vice City[]
- Sunshine Autos Import Garage - The Esperanto is one of the 24 vehicles wanted by Sunshine Autos for their import garage. Placed on the first list.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[]
- Life's a Beach - The Esperanto is one of three cars that the player can find at the beach in the party during the mission (three cars).
Grand Theft Auto Advance[]
- Time's Up - One of Jonnie's debtors drives an Esperanto in the Red Light District.
- The Big Score - Used by the Colombian Cartel in the meeting.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories[]
- Love on the Rocks - Toni meets a man in a Esperanto under the Newport's overpass, where he's informed about the van where the evidences are located.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories[]
- Drug Running - In the second mission of Drug Running (Raw Deal), Vic delivers the drugs in an Esperanto.
Locations[]
Grand Theft Auto III[]
- One is parked by the Old School Hall in Chinatown, Portland.
- One may be parked at the AMCo. gas station, Harwood, Portland (sometimes, a Bobcat spawns here).
- One may appear in the parking space by the Carson General Hospital in Rockford, Staunton Island (sometimes replaced with an Ambulance).
- One appears in the parking lot of Francis International Airport.
- One is sometimes parked outside Capital Autos in Harwood, Portland. (The Definitive Edition only).
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City[]
- It spawns more frequently when driving a Rancher in Downtown.
- It occasionally spawns in Little Haiti, Little Havana and Downtown.
Grand Theft Auto Advance[]
- It may be found driven by the Colombian Cartel in Callahan Point, Aspatria and the Francis International Airport.
- It can be found occasionally in other areas of Shoreside Vale.
- It can be found in various parking lots.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[]
- It can be found in Ganton, Idlewood and Willowfield, Los Santos.
- It can be found around the Whetstone area.
- It can be found in Garcia, Foster Valley and Ocean Flats, San Fierro.
- It can be found in Rockshore West, Las Venturas.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories[]
- One is parked in an alley in front of the Sweeney General Hospital, near an Angel.
- One is parked by the Old School Hall in Chinatown.
- One is found in the parking lot of Marco's Bistro in Saint Mark's.
- One is at the AMCo. gas station in Harwood, Portland.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories[]
- One is parked next to the abandoned apartment complex, to the east of the northernmost empire building in Little Haiti.
- It can occasionally be found in traffic around Little Haiti.
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
- In GTA IV, a black one is always available at the cab depot up until Roman's Sorrow has been completed. It can also be seen entering or leaving the building.
- One or more may be parked at The Triangle Club in Northern Gardens, Bohan.
- It can be found in Broker in traffic.
- One can be found on Wenrohronon Avenue, in Broker with a Marbelle, parked on the side of the road near a small construction site before the road ends. It also can be found there in multiplayer modes.
- It can often be found in Bohan.
- It can occasionally be found in Alderney.
Rewards[]
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
- After completing car theft missions, Stevie will buy the Esperanto from Niko for $1,800.
Radio Stations[]
- In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the Esperanto plays Master Sounds 98.3.
- In Grand Theft Auto IV, the default radio stations are grouped by genre. The Esperanto uses the "Talk Radio" group which can play:
- In Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City, the default radio stations are grouped by genre. The Esperanto uses the "Talk Radio" group which can play:
- In Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition, the default radio stations are grouped by genre. The Esperanto uses the "Talk Radio" group which can play:
Trivia[]
General[]
- Esperanto is the name of an auxiliary language spoken throughout the world.
3D Universe[]
- In a trailer for Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, a unique black Esperanto can be seen crashing.
- In Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, no matter how many times the player resprays the Esperanto, there will always be a lining of rust at the bottom of the vehicle.
HD Universe[]
Wrecked car in GTA IV.
- The Esperanto was one of the first cars to appear in any media in the run-up to the release of GTA IV. It has often been mistakenly referred to as an "Albany" due to the fact that the word is conspicuously emblazoned on the grille.
- A wreck that looks like a cross between the San Andreas Buccaneer and Esperanto can be found in Used Auto Parts in South Bohan, just Northwest of the South Bohan Safehouse. It will reappear a few days after the Used Auto Parts garage was blown up. There is an identical wreck in Brucie's Executive Lifestyle Autos.
- During the introduction where Roman meets Niko at the Platypus, Roman is seen driving an Esperanto from his taxi fleet but with wheels from the Marbelle. After the cutscene, the altered wheels are switched out for the normal wheels seen on all Esperantos throughout the rest of the game.
See Also[]
- Roman's Taxi - A variant of the Esperanto in Grand Theft Auto IV.
- Police Roadcruiser - A law enforcement variant of the Esperanto in Grand Theft Auto V.
- Manana - HD Universe's continuation of Esperanto's previous two-door coupe body style.
- Virgo - A vehicle whose Grand Theft Auto V iteration is very similar to the previous 3D Universe Esperanto.