The Benefactor Serrano is a crossover SUV featured in the downloadable episodic pack The Ballad of Gay Tony for Grand Theft Auto IV, and Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online.
Design[]
The Ballad of Gay Tony[]
The hood design, grill, greenhouse, and sides are similar to a Mercedes-Benz GLE, (formerly known as ML-Class) while Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC influences are seen on the crease on the sides and the rear. The bi-xenon headlights are much like that of the 2002-2006 Volkswagen Touareg, but with added LED turning signals.
The Serrano is depicted as a small SUV with a similar size as the Übermacht Rebla. The bumper features a small bottom lip/extender and a set of meshed intakes, where the central one spans about half the SUV's width and bears a black horizontal divider on the middle, while the outer ones house non-functional fog lamps. On the upper area, the central section features a silver/chrome grille of about the same width as the central intake and bears the manufacturer logo on the centre, while the outer sections have large headlamp housings with black trim around, each one having dual circular main lamps on the upper side and wide turn signals on the lower side. The bonnet has a slight elevation starting from the grille and going towards either A-pillar of the cabin, fitted with small intakes near the windscreen.
The sides of the SUV are predominated by the bulky wheel arches, the small exit vents on the front fenders and the small side steps at the bottom. There are impressed areas passing through the doors, with the upper lines being angled upwards and almost reaching the top of the rear tail lamps. The cabin area makes use of black trim around the windows and on the pillars, only leaving coloured portions on the A-pillars and the upper borders of the roof area, as well as coloured mirror wings with black supports. The roof panel has two black long strips on the sides that separate it from the rest of the SUV.
The rear of the SUV is somewhat curved in appearance and features a large compartment door, which has a small top lip, a dedicated central section for the license plate and the corresponding badges above and beside it. The outer sections have large tail lamps with a black detail around them, each one consisting of large main/brake lamps, lower reverse lamps and upper, smaller turn signals. The bumper is relatively large and also has a small bottom lip/extender, while two exhaust tubes can be seen below it.
The interior is similar to Habanero's, but the steering wheel bears a Benefactor logo instead of Albany's or Emperor's.
The Serrano assigns a primary colour for the body and the secondary colour for the surrounding of the grille, the bonnet and the roof panel, although the SUV does not have different secondary colours set. The vehicle shares the same five-spoke wide rims with the Habanero, but they appear to have more depth than the former's.
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
The Serrano returns in Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online and is mostly unchanged from its first appearance. In the enhanced version, the SUV uses the same "Feroci" interior as vehicles like the Habanero and the Ingot.
Colour distribution in the same as in TBOGT, and retains the same wheel design as before, being similar to the "Bippu" SUV wheels seen in Los Santos Customs.
Current Design Gallery[]
Performance[]
The Ballad of Gay Tony[]
Although the Serrano and the Huntley Sport compete for the fastest SUV, the Serrano is considered to be better because it has a higher top speed, and is easier to use on off-road courses. In terms of handling, the Serrano's cornering performance is average due to its excess weight, and the Serrano tends to suffer from understeer around tight bends. It is, however, easy to drive when used properly.
The Serrano is stated to be fitted with a supercharged V12 engine similar to the Schafter. However, it is actually modeled as a turbocharged twin-cam inline-4 engine and coupled to a 5-speed gearbox, which is laid in a front engine, all wheel drive layout (50% front, 50% rear torque distribution). The engine sound appears to be a higher-revving variation of the one used in cars like the Rebla, the Habanero and the Landstalker, unique to this vehicle.
TBOGT Overview[]
| Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh) |
Gears | Engines | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) |
Mass (kg / lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 90 / 145 | 5 | N/A | AWD 50% FWD 50% RWD |
3000 / 6614 |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | 6.5L Supercharged V12 (Badging) | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | 5 | F4 DOHC Turbocharged Inline-4 (In-game model) | AWD | Cannot be observed |
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
The Serrano produces a moderate amount of torque, and achieves an just above average top speed. Its four-wheel drive setup allows the SUV to operate exceptionally well off-road.
Once again, the side badges states that the Serrano features a V12 engine. However, the engine is actually modeled as a turbocharged twin-cam Inline-4 engine with a 6-speed gearbox. It is laid in a front engine, all wheel drive layout (60% front, 40% rear torque distribution). The SUV has a mid-revving engine sound shared with the Blista.
GTA V and 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 | 81 / 130 | 6 | N/A | AWD 60% FWD 40% RWD |
2400 / 5291 | 65 |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | 6.5L Supercharged V12 (Badging) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | 6 | F4 DOHC Turbocharged Inline-4 (In-game model) | AWD | Cannot be observed | Cannot be observed |
Modifications[]
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
| Category | Modification | Cost (GTA V) | Cost (GTA Online) | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armor | No Armor | $250 | $500 | ||
| Armor Upgrade 20% | $1,250 | $5,250 | |||
| Armor Upgrade 40% | $3,125 | $8,750 | |||
| Armor Upgrade 60% | $5,000 | $14,000 | |||
| Armor Upgrade 80% | $8,750 | $24,500 | |||
| Armor Upgrade 100% | $12,500 | $35,000 | |||
| Brakes | Stock Brakes | $250 | $500 | ||
| Street Brakes | $5,000 | $10,000 | |||
| Sport Brakes | $6,750 | $13,500 | |||
| Race Brakes | $8,750 | $17,500 | |||
| Bumpers | Stock Front Bumper | $750 | $1,500 |   | |
| Custom Front Bumper | $1,250 | $2,500 |   | ||
| Stock Rear Bumper | $750 | $1,500 |   | ||
| Custom Rear Bumper | $1,250 | $2,500 |   | ||
| Engine | EMS Upgrade, Level 1 | $2,250 | $4,500 | ||
| EMS Upgrade, Level 2 | $3,125 | $6,250 | |||
| EMS Upgrade, Level 3 | $4,500 | $9,000 | |||
| EMS Upgrade, Level 4 | $8,375 | $16,750 | |||
| Exhausts | Stock Exhaust | $130 | $260 |   | |
| Dual Exit Exhaust | $375 | $750 |   | ||
| Big Bore Exhaust | $899 | $1,800 |   | ||
| Explosives | Ignition Bomb | N/A | $5,000 | ||
| Remote Bomb | N/A | $7,500 | |||
| Grilles | Stock Grille | $100 | $200 |   | |
| Big Badge Grille | $375 | $750 |   | ||
| Horns | Main article: Vehicle Customization in GTA V/Horns | - | - | ||
| Lights | Headlights | Stock Lights | $200 | $400 | |
| Xenon Lights | $1,000 | $5,000 | |||
| Neon Kits | Main article: Vehicle Customization in GTA V/Lights | - | - | ||
| Loss/Theft Prevention | Tracker | N/A | $2,000 | ||
| Full Coverage | N/A | $7,500 | |||
| 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: Vehicle Customization in GTA V/Respray Colors | - | - | ||
| Sell | Sell Vehicle | N/A | $6,000 | ||
| Skirts | Stock Skirts | $1,250 | $2,500 |   | |
| Custom Skirts | $1,500 | $3,000 |   | ||
| Spoilers | None | $500 | $1,000 |   | |
| Roof Spoiler | $750 | $1,500 |   | ||
| 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 | $250 | $500 | ||
| Street Transmission | $7,375 | $14,750 | |||
| Sports Transmission | $8,125 | $16,250 | |||
| Race Transmission | $10,000 | $20,000 | |||
| Turbo | None | $1,250 | $2,500 | ||
| Turbo Tuning | $6,250 | $35,000 | |||
| Wheels | Main article: Vehicle Customization in GTA V/Wheels | - | - | ||
| Windows | None | $100 | $500 | ||
| Light Smoke | $200 | $1,500 | |||
| Dark Smoke | $450 | $3,500 | |||
| Limo | $700 | $5,000 | |||
Gallery[]
Prominent Appearances in Gameplay[]
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
- Simeon's Export Requests – This vehicle may be randomly requested for delivery by Simeon Yetarian.
Locations[]
The Ballad of Gay Tony[]
- In the mission Corner Kids, Luis, Armando and Henrique must escape from a swarm of LCPD officers; during which they immediately head straight to a Serrano parked in East Hook, Broker.
- The standard Serrano spawns mostly in Star Junction and The Triangle. It also spawns around Leftwood, Alderney.
Grand Theft Auto V[]
- Spawns in a cul-de-sac at the Lake Vinewood Estates in Lake Vinewood.
- Frequently spawns in Rockford Hills.
- Frequently spawns in Downtown Los Santos.
- Sometimes spawns in the countryside such as Paleto Bay and Grand Senora Desert.
- Occasionally appears in the driveway of 2838 Picture Perfect Drive in Vinewood Hills, slightly southwest of the Epsilon drop-off garage, on the opposite side of Hillcrest Ridge Access Road.
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
- Enhanced version
- Available for purchase from Southern San Andreas Super Autos for $50,000 as part of the After Hours update continuation.
- No longer available; removed from the website as part of the San Andreas Mercenaries update.
Radio Stations[]
- In The Ballad of Gay Tony, the default radio stations are grouped by genre. The Serrano uses the "Latin" group which can play San Juan Sounds.
- In Grand Theft Auto V, the default radio stations are grouped by genre. The Serrano uses the "Dance" group which can play:
- In Grand Theft Auto Online, the default radio stations are grouped by genre. The Serrano uses the "Dance" group which can play:
- FlyLo FM
- Soulwax FM
- Los Santos Underground Radio (Enhanced Editions only. May not play due to a three station limit within the group)
- Music Locker Radio (Enhanced Editions only)
- Media Player (Enhanced Editions only. May not play due to a three station limit within the group)
Trivia[]
General[]
- The name "Serrano", like that of the Habanero, could be a play on the Porsche Cayenne, as both are SUVs named after types of chili pepper.
- The SUV could be also named after the Serrano people, which are indigenous people living in Southern California.
- Serrano is also the name of one of the antagonists in Max Payne 3, another title by Rockstar.
The Ballad of Gay Tony[]
- When landing a jump or anything as such, the Serrano suffers from a glitch where the suspension may dip very far, leading to the bumpers' extra clip-on spoilers disappearing underneath the ground for a brief moment.
- The Serrano does not have B-Pillars, which means that the rear doors are hinged to nothing.
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
- Initially, in the Enhanced Edition, the front left headlight of the Serrano was missing a surface and texture in the centre of the lens. This was fixed in a subsequent update.
- With the correct modifications, one can recreate the modified Serrano from TBOGT. However, the lip spoiler in previous game is not present, only the low-level spoiler.
- A poster of a Serrano can be found in the window of the Benefactor-Gallivanter Dealership in West Vinewood.
- A Bleeter post in Grand Theft Auto V from Benefactor can be found which reads: "Soccer moms, check out the new Benefactor Serrano luxury crossover. It's an SUV, it's an minivan, it's an station wagon, it's none of the above. It's practically hip."