The Karin Futo is a two-door, rear-wheel-drive sport compact manufactured by Karin. It first appeared in Grand Theft Auto IV, returned in Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online, and is visible in the first Grand Theft Auto VI trailer.1
Overview
The Futo is a compact, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive coupé associated with street racing and drifting. Rockstar has itself described the Futo as a popular choice for drift races around tight corners and alleys.2 Its small dimensions, responsive steering and broad customization menu make it one of the series' most recognizable tuner cars.
Design and Appearance
The Futo's closest overall visual match is the 1983–1987 Toyota Corolla Levin AE86, with additional front and rear details resembling the 1983 Nissan Skyline DR30 RS Turbo and the 1986 Nissan Pulsar N13.345
The in-game model has a compact, boxy two-door profile, subtly flared wheel arches, rectangular headlights and a restrained grille. Its squared tail lights and rear treatment provide the clearest Nissan-like cues, while the overall proportions and side profile remain closest to the Corolla Levin. The cabin uses a simple period-style dashboard with white dial markings, and older versions include patterned door panels repeating the FUTO name.
The vehicle seen in the first Grand Theft Auto VI trailer retains the same recognizable silhouette while showing more detailed wheels and door hardware. Its final GTA VI model and specifications remain subject to change.
Performance
In GTA V and GTA Online, the Futo's rear-wheel-drive layout and short wheelbase make it easy to rotate into a slide. It accelerates briskly for an inexpensive compact, responds quickly to steering input and rewards controlled throttle use through tight corners. Its low weight also means that contact with larger vehicles can unsettle it more easily than a heavier sports car.
Rockstar has not published a directly comparable Grand Theft Auto VI performance specification. The vehicle's presence in the trailer therefore confirms its return, not its final speed, handling balance or upgrade range.
Modifications / Customization
In Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online, the Futo can be modified at Los Santos Customs. Available changes include bumpers, skirts, spoilers, exhausts, wheels, suspension and performance upgrades.
Its livery list also contains several visual jokes and homages. The "Rolling Dude No.7" design resembles the Rolling Guy identity used by the Tokyo Xtreme Racer series.6 Other Futo and Futo GTX options use tofu-delivery, number 86 and black-and-white motifs that evoke Initial D.7
Acquisition / Locations
In Grand Theft Auto VI, a Futo is visible in traffic during the Grand Theft Auto 6 First Trailer, driving through an intersection in Vice City. Rockstar has not yet confirmed how the vehicle will be acquired in GTA VI.
In Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online, the Futo has been sold through Southern San Andreas Super Autos for $9,000 and can also appear in traffic around Los Santos. Rockstar added the Futo to a Southern San Andreas Super Autos inventory update alongside the Bollokan Prairie and Imponte Ruiner.8
Usage
The Futo is best suited to driving that rewards agility: drift routes, tight city streets and events with frequent direction changes. Its compact footprint and responsive brakes help it change line quickly, while its two-seat cabin and low mass make it less useful for multi-passenger missions or sustained collisions.
Notable Users / Special Variants
- Futo GT: A modified Grand Theft Auto IV version associated with the Albanian Mob, using a body kit, carbon-fiber hood and roll cage.
- Futo GTX: A hatchback variant introduced with Los Santos Tuners for Grand Theft Auto Online. Rockstar included the Futo GTX in its official launch lineup for the update.9
- Futo (Drift Tune): The standard body fitted with GTA Online's specialized drift-handling upgrade.
A modified Futo is also kept by the LS Car Meet's garage mechanic.
Grand Theft Auto Online
The Futo has remained part of Grand Theft Auto Online's tuner culture through dealership rotations, drift events, car-meet activities and weekly promotions. Its dealership availability changed during the San Andreas Mercenaries period, while later rotations returned it to sale. The Futo GTX has also appeared as an LS Car Meet test vehicle and Prize Ride, including during a double-rewards LS Car Meet event.
Trivia
- "Futo" can be read as a shortened echo of the Japanese loanword dorifuto (ドリフト, "drift"). It is also an anagram of "tofu."
- The stock wheel name "Fujiwara," the number 86 on the Karin Rally Team livery and the tofu-delivery motifs resemble elements associated with Takumi Fujiwara's AE86 in Initial D. Kodansha describes Takumi as a tofu delivery driver who races a Trueno Eight-Six.10
- The visible inline-four engine model resembles Toyota's 4A-GE, which Toyota identifies as the engine used by the Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno AE86.11
References
Grand Theft Auto VI — Trailer 1 – Rockstar Games, Accessed July 27, 2026.
GTA Online Creator Jobs On Film: Creative and Challenging Custom Jobs – Rockstar Games, May 2, 2014, Accessed July 27, 2026.
TMC to Launch Compact Sports Car '86' in Japan in April – Toyota Motor Corporation, February 2, 2012, Accessed July 27, 2026.
Skyline 2000 Turbo RS (1983: DR30) – Nissan Heritage Collection, Accessed July 27, 2026.
Pulsar 3-door Hatchback Milano X-1 Twin-cam (1986: EN13) – Nissan Heritage Collection, Accessed July 27, 2026.
Genki Fun Store: Rolling Guy merchandise announcement – Genki Co., Ltd., March 5, 2026, Accessed July 27, 2026.
Initial D Omnibus – Kodansha, Accessed July 27, 2026.
New Inventory at Southern San Andreas Super Autos – Rockstar Games, June 19, 2018, Accessed July 27, 2026.
Los Santos Tuners Coming July 20 – Rockstar Games, July 15, 2021, Accessed July 27, 2026.
TGR Plans to Reproduce Engine Parts for Corolla Levin / Sprinter Trueno (AE86) – Toyota Gazoo Racing, September 10, 2025, Accessed July 27, 2026.
