Futo
| Manufacturer: | Karin | ||
| Type: | Civilian | ||
| Body Style: | 2-door coupe | ||
| Passenger capacity: | 2 | ||
| Top Speed: | Medium-high | ||
| Endurance: | Moderate | ||
| Appearance(s): | GTA IV | ||
| Based on: | Toyota Corolla | ||
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The Karin Futo is a compact two-door vehicle in Grand Theft Auto IV.
Description
Design
The Futo is based on the 1984-1987 AE86 Toyota Corolla Levin GT-Apex 2-door coupe. The writing on the side indicates that it is equipped with a 20-valve engine, akin to Toyota's 4A-GE 1.6L Black or Silvertop engine, in RWD configuration (this engine did not actually appear until 1991, however, it was a popular modification for the AE86) with a limited slip differential (possibly contributing to the car's excellent handling). The car is very well detailed from the interior down to the "Watanabe" wheel option (a play on the name of Toyota's president at the time of the game's release, Katsuaki Watanabe, However it may also be an reference to a popular wheel for AE86 Corollas made by a company called "Watanabe"), and individual throttle bodies.
The car is the love child of an American vehicle designer for Rockstar UK, Mike Bush. Mike is an extreme follower of the AE86 running a website www.GTApex.com. The name "Futo" is actually a cut down version of the working file name during production "Dorifuto". The relation to Tofu, and reference to "Initial D", may or may not be on purpose.
Performance
The Futo is powered by what appears to be a 1.6L I4, paired to a 5 speed gearbox in a RWD configuration. Acceleration is above average, and its top speed is staggeringly quick. The chassis is firm and taut, giving the Futo stability at high speeds and the ability to be thrown around for a bit of flair. It's suspension is firm, keeping the Futo flat in the banked corners while stable in the S curves. Braking is acceptable, though ABS is not available; however front wheel lockup is not as big an issue compared to other vehicles. Crash deformation is also acceptable, though owing to its age, build quality is subpar, often leaving the Futo disabled after a few accidents. All in all the Futo is great fun to drive, and is sure to get you out of any situation you find yourself in.
Variants
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A modified variant of the Futo is driven by the Albanian Mob, and, as a result, can be commonly found in Little Bay. The so-called "GT" variant features a GT front grille, racing seat on the drivers side, carbon fibre hood, front-mounted strut bar, a roll cage inside, rear boot lip spoiler and a small bodykit; the Futo GT is also only seen in red and black, but can be resprayed any color. Despite these differences, all Futos have "Futo GT" written on the interior of the doors, presumably to save texture memory. "Futo GT" is a name coined by fans; the game still refers to the car simply as the Futo when the player enters it, and its performance is identical to the stock car.
Locations
- Spawn all around Bohan, but mostly in Little Bay
- Spawn all around Dukes
- Spawn around Hove Beach, Broker
- Spawn around Chinatown, Algonquin
- Spawn in traffic in Multiplayer
Trivia
- After collecting all thirty cars for Stevie he agrees to purchase cars from Niko Bellic, with the Futo fetching $1,400.
- The two default radio stations of the Futo are IF99 - International Funk and K109 The Studio.