Contender

The Contender is stated to be due to appear in Grand Theft Auto VI. No trailer timestamp, screenshot, promotional image, region, configuration, or GTA VI-specific specification is identified. Its manufacturer is Vapid, and its GTA Online class is SUVs despite its Light Truck body type.

In Grand Theft Auto IV, the two-door Contender drew most heavily from the Ford F-150, particularly in its flared wheel openings, nose, grille outline, and bonnet. Its cargo bed and rear arches also echoed the first Ford Explorer Sport Trac, while the lamps resembled those of the 2006–2008 Ford Escape ZC. The horizontally divided grille had a Chevrolet-like resemblance to GM’s GMT900-era SUVs.

The IV truck also used a supercharged 5.7-litre V8 concept comparable to the Ford Lightning concept, though with greater displacement than that concept’s 5.4-litre engine. Vapid’s “Built to Rule” billboard line parodied Ford’s “Built Tough” slogan. Internal IV files called the model E109, apparently an earlier name connected to the F-150 influence; a CNT Sully’s Auto Mart commercial instead called it the EXT.

The IV Contender was a sporty-looking two-door pickup, with mesh openings in the front bumper, a split upper grille, round lamps in dark surrounds, and narrow bonnet vents. Black window trim, tinted rear glass, square mirrors, and a plainly finished tailgate completed the body. It spawned in single paint colours, while the lower body sections and grille surround remained silver.

For GTA Online, it returned as a raised four-door pickup. Its cab took cues from the fourth-generation Dodge Ram, while its rear lamps resembled those of the thirteenth-generation Ford F-150, P552. The front end gained a heavy bumper carrying a winch, brush guard, and three fog lamps. Bolt-on arch extensions, side steps, roof marker lamps, large suspension components, underbody protection, and multiple differential hardware reinforced its off-road-oriented redesign. Its cabin reused the truck interior also found in the Sandking XL and many other trucks.

IV examples could carry a bull bar and one of several roll-bar arrangements, including roof-mounted spotlights. Bed choices included either a black soft cover or a body-coloured hard cover. Irish Mob Contenders around Steinway used oversized chrome brush guards, chrome roll bars, a soft tonneau, and body-colour lamps; their supercharger gave only a slight improvement to acceleration and speed. Bucky Sligo’s mission vehicle had a black primary finish, a tonneau cover, and one of thirteen possible lustres.

The Online truck may appear with a large bed cap and roof rack, both alterable at Los Santos Customs. It uses one paint colour and naturally spawned examples are black. Its original rims match those on the Baller LE and Baller LE LWB; Content Creator permits rim repainting, although their fixed black finish makes them appear darker. Rockstar Games Social Club imagery omitted the permanent front fog lamps even though no Los Santos Customs option removes them.

In IV, the Contender was rear-wheel drive and offered limited off-road ability because of its firm suspension and low clearance. It was durable against impacts and gunfire, but felt heavy and pushed wide in turns. Its apparent supercharged engine produced modest power; the Bobcat could match it, although the Contender had the higher maximum speed. It used the Cavalcade and Cavalcade FXT engine audio.

The Online version used a longitudinal 5.4-litre single-overhead-cam V8, four-wheel drive, and a five-speed transmission, sharing engine audio with vehicles including the Granger and Bodhi. It accelerated strongly with good straight-line grip and handled rough terrain well, but could oversteer into a spin if taken into corners too quickly. Its bullet-resistant windows, robust axles, and sturdy frame added durability. It sold through Southern San Andreas Super Autos for $250,000, was removed during San Andreas Mercenaries, and returned with Money Fronts. Los Santos Vagos and Merryweather Security use matte-black examples in several Online activities.