An anonymous client paid approximately $1 million, equivalent to about 5.2 million Brazilian reais, to bring one of the most imposing vehicles from the Grand Theft Auto franchise to life. The company Dartz Motorz from Latvia is in the final stages of developing a real version of the HVY Nightshark—an armored SUV from GTA Online—which is planned to be unveiled in Miami in November.
According to information provided by the specialized website Rockstar Intel, this vehicle will be fully functional and capable of movement, unlike static replicas created for exhibitions. The manufacturer, known for its exotic armored vehicles, has not yet disclosed technical specifications, the final name, or interior details, stating that the car is being assembled manually.
This order changes the usual dynamic between the gaming industry and video games. When Rockstar Games added the Nightshark to GTA Online in August 2017, players immediately noticed its resemblance to Dartz's own models, such as the Kombat, Black Shark, and Black Snake. However, the virtual vehicle never received a license from the manufacturer.
Nearly nine years later, it is the manufacturer creating what the pixels tried to depict, according to Leonard Yankelovich, the founder and president of the company, who called the project 'Final Boss.' Dartz emphasizes that this initiative is independent: there is no partnership or licensing agreement with Rockstar or Take-Two Interactive.
The final finishing and polishing are carried out at the company's facility in Riga, the capital of Latvia. The buyer's identity remains confidential, as Dartz has not specified whether the client is an individual or an organization.
The public presentation is scheduled for November 2026 in Miami, coinciding with the release week of Grand Theft Auto VI, which is expected on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S consoles on the 19th of that month after a series of delays. The choice of city reflects the game's setting: the fictional Vice City is inspired by Miami.
In the game itself, the Nightshark sells for 1,245,000 in-game currency on the Warstock Cache & Carry website, is capable of resisting missiles and grenades, and reaches a speed of 168.58 km/h. The new installment of the series will also feature other vehicles inspired by real models, including the Porsche 911, Dodge Viper, Ford Crown Victoria, and Ferrari Testarossa.