Template:Infobox vehicles
The Kuruma is a four-door compact sedan featured in Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and Grand Theft Auto Online, the later as part of the Heists Update. It is manufactured by Karin in the HD Universe.
Description
The word "kuruma" means "car" in Japanese (車, くるま), which may suggest that the car is of Japanese origin. "Kuruma" may also be a reference to the Toyota Camry, the bestselling midsize sedan in the United States, with "Camry" being an Anglicized phonetic transcription of the Japanese word kanmuri (冠, かんむり) for "crown". (Toyota has a naming tradition of using the word "crown" for primary models, starting with the Toyota Crown in 1955, continuing with the Toyota Corona and Toyota Corolla, the Latin words for "crown" and "small crown", respectively.)
Design
3D Universe
The Grand Theft Auto III rendition of the car is strongly based on a 2001-2006 Chrysler Sebring sedan or a 1998-2004 Dodge Intrepid (both the design and the fact that the car has a longitudinally mounted engine in the Xbox version), and it comes with uncolored (gray) bumpers and trims, giving it the appearance of a base model. The Kuruma is also said to bear some resemblance to a 1997-2001 Honda Accord.
For Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, the Kuruma has slight cosmetic changes to make it look like a generic Japanese sedan during the late 90's, the front appearing to resemble a 1992-1995 European Toyota Corona or a 1997-2000 Nissan Altima and its bumpers and trim are body-colored to give it a more upscale look, although there still are base Kurumas with unpainted trims and bumpers, especially if the car is sprayed white or grey. It has styling cues from the 1995-2000 Hyundai Elantra.
During the development of GTA III, the Kuruma was originally known as the "Sentinal", not to be confused by the Sentinel which is another sedan in the final version of the same game that was previously known as the "Beamer" during development.
Grand Theft Auto Online
The Kuruma returns in the Heists Update for Grand Theft Auto Online, and is now manufactured by Karin. The overall shape of the car seems to be based on the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, as evidenced by the overall design and front fascia. The rear wing and hood scoop closely resemble those of the 2015-2016 Subaru WRX STI.
By default, the Kuruma sports an air intake on the hood and a medium-sized spoiler. The Kuruma has two extra sets of brake lights on top of the roof.
Current Design Gallery
Version History Gallery
Performance
3D Universe
In GTA III, the Kuruma has a five-cylinder engine with a turbocharged sound, a 5-speed gearbox and a FWD powertrain. Whilst the engine is powerful enough to propel the light Kuruma to high straight line speeds, the front wheel drive layout causes understeer. Players may therefore favor using the handbrake to swing around turns at high speed. In GTA Liberty City Stories, its engine is naturally-aspirated, coupled to a 3-speed gearbox and emits the same engine sound as the Manana, Idaho and the Perennial.
The Kuruma's steady handling makes it a good choice as a "beginners' car", and it is the first car the player drives in both GTA III and GTA Liberty City Stories (in the missions "Give Me Liberty" and "Home Sweet Home", respectively).
The Kuruma possesses almost identical handling properties to the GTA III rendition of the Taxi.
3D Universe Overview
| Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh) |
Gears | Engine | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) |
Mass (kg / lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 112 / 180 (GTA III) 99 / 160 (GTA LCS) |
5 (GTA III) 3 (GTA LCS) |
Petrol | FWD | 1500 / 3307 (GTA III) 1600 / 3527 (GTA LCS) |
| N/A | N/A | 5 (GTA III) 3 (GTA LCS) |
FF Inline-5 (In-game model) | FWD | Cannot be observed |
Grand Theft Auto Online
The Kuruma has a modeled twin-cam straight six engine, placed longitudinally in a front engine, all wheel drive layout (a rather unique distribution of 1/3 of the engine power to the front wheels and the rest to the rear wheels). According to Southern San Andreas Super Autos, the car has a 6-speed gearbox, a top speed of 147mph and weights 2,866lbs. The Kuruma features a turbo dump-valve sound effect by default, although the player can add another turbo for a significantly higher acceleration.
Due to the lightweight chassis and top-heaviness on the car, The Kuruma has a tendency to lift onto two wheels and even flip during sharp, high speed turns, or roll the car. It is slightly bested by the Sultan in terms of top speed. However, in terms of grip, the Sultan stands a heavy ground when attacking corners at high speed. The Kuruma tends to slide attempting to attack corners at similar speeds. Off-road, the Kuruma is one of the fastest cars in the game, with its high traction allowing for high speeds on off-road terrain which allows it to keep up to even some Super cars.
The Kuruma does not deform easily when crashed, as it can only be scratched or lose body parts (it still has bodywork deformation, albeit to a lesser extend). The same is true with the Panto and Coquette Classic.
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 | 89 / 143 | 6 | N/A | AWD 33% FWD 67% RWD |
1500 / 3307 | 65 |
| N/A | 147 / 237 | 6 | N/A | AWD | 1300 / 2866 | N/A |
| N/A | 95 / 153 | 5 Manual (In-game model + Sound) |
F4 DOHC Inline-6 (In-game model) | AWD | Cannot be observed | Cannot be observed |
Modifications
Grand Theft Auto Online
Image Gallery
Variants
FBI CarGrand Theft Auto III |
 (Rear quarter view) |
A law enforcement variant appears as the FBI Car, seen during a 5-star wanted level. |
Kuruma (Armored)Grand Theft Auto Online |
 (Rear quarter view) |
An Armored variant appears in Grand Theft Auto Online as part of the Heists Update, the Kuruma (Armored). It holds armored plating similar to the Duke O'Death. |
Special Variants
- A unique teal blue Kuruma appears in Give Me Liberty. The player can simply complete the next mission, Luigi's Girls in this car to obtain it.
- A unique teal blue Kuruma appears in the mission Salvatore's Salvation. It can be obtained by parking it in the garage of the Portland Safehouse and shooting at the trunk.
Notable Owners
- Vincenzo Cilli owns a black Kuruma, which can be found parked outside his warehouse in Atlantic Quays. This car still appears after his death.
- Claude drives a unique teal Kuruma during the first mission. This vehicle can be saved in the player's garage.
Prominent Appearances in Missions
Grand Theft Auto III
- Give Me Liberty - Claude goes to Portland Safehouse with this car after the cutscene.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
- Home Sweet Home - Vincenzo lets Toni drive this car to the safehouse then the warehouse in Atlantic Quays. It is fire-proof during the mission but soon gets deleted after mission is completed.
- Smash and Grab - A heavy black one featured during the mission. It was on fire during the shootout at the gas station.
- Frighteners - One of the bosses that need to be scared drives a Kuruma through parts of Saint Mark's and Portland View.
- Salvatore's Salvation - A unique light blue one is used by the Sindaccos to kidnap Salvatore. It can be obtained.
Grand Theft Auto Online
- Used by the unknown agents in the mission Firewall Protection.
Locations
Grand Theft Auto III
- Despite being a common car and being parked in several locations in Portland Island, it doesn't spawn in traffic there. It is a common sight in traffic in Staunton Island and Shoreside Vale though.
- Parked outside Head Radio Studio, Hepburn Heights, Portland Island.
- Parked in the parking lot of Greasy Joe's Café, Callahan Point, Portland Island.
- Parked in the parking lot of Portland Docks, Portland Harbor, Portland Island.
- Parked outside Momma's Restaurante, Saint Mark's, Portland Island.
- Outside Capital Autos, Harwood, Portland Island.
- In the Liberty Tree parking lot, Bedford Point, Staunton Island.
- In a car park, near the apartments, in Wichita Gardens, Shoreside Vale.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
- Parked outside Vincenzo's warehouse in Atlantic Quays, Portland Island. The car is uniquely black.
- In Saint Mark's, parked where you dropped off the drugs for Salvatore from the Cartel in the mission Contra-Banned.
- Spawns regularly on all three islands.
- Capital Autos, Harwood, Portland Island (only before completing Car Salesman to level 4, when it will replaced with a Sentinel).
Grand Theft Auto Online
- Can be purchased from Southern San Andreas Super Autos for $95,000 after completing The Fleeca Job.
- After the Cunning Stunts: Special Vehicle Circuit update, the vehicle is now available to players who have not completed the heist at the "full" cost of $126,350.
- Often used by the enemy gang when buying Special Cargo or completing Vehicle Cargo missions, it can be stolen, but it cannot be stored in the player's garage.
Trivia
General
The working Kuruma featured in Manhunt 2
- The Kuruma has appeared in Manhunt (wreck only) and Manhunt 2, another Rockstar Games titles.
- The Kuruma also exists as a car manufacturer in Midnight Club, another game published by Rockstar Games. It has one model called the Faasuto with 3 variants: The GR, GS, and GT.
- The Kuruma is referenced in an episode of crime drama NCIS where Agent Ziva David tells Agent Leroy Gibbs The a witness said the car was a "Kuruma". Agent Timothy McGee later explains to his confused superiors: "Kuruma is the name of a car in Grand Theft Auto III. It’s a Chrysler Sebring sedan." A video of the exchange can be found here.
- The default radio stations for the Kuruma are:
- GTA III:Head Radio
- GTA Liberty City Stories:
- GTA Online: Radio Los Santos, The Lab, West Coast Classics.
3D Universe
- The Kuruma in GTA III has more spawn locations in Portland than anywhere else in the city, despite uncommonly appearing in traffic.
- The Kuruma in GTA III seems to lack any form of grill or other air intakes. Realistically, this car would constantly overheat (even if it has the hood scoop shown on the FBI Car in the mobile versions).
- The Kuruma was supposed to appear in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.[citation/verification needed]
Grand Theft Auto Online
- The Kuruma shares its stock rim design with the Baller (modern version) and Surano.
- When opening the hood, the engine can be seen. However, when rolling the car over, there is no visible engine from the bottom, only an empty space and the "upper" side of the engine bay.
See Also
- FBI Car - FBI variant.
- Kuruma (Armored) - Armored variant.