🏎️ GAUNTLET

Overview

The Gauntlet is Bravado's flagship muscle car and one of the first vehicles confirmed for GTA 6, spotted during the gas station robbery sequence in Trailer 1. Based on the Dodge Challenger — specifically blending the modern Hellcat's aggressive proportions with the classic 1970 Challenger's iconic profile — the Gauntlet has been a GTA cornerstone since GTA V, where it played a starring role in heist prep missions. In Leonida, it looks wider and meaner than ever, with visible fender flares, a functional hood scoop, and what appears to be a widebody kit straight from the factory. The Gauntlet represents everything muscle cars are about: obscene horsepower, rear-wheel-drive chaos, and the kind of V8 rumble that makes pedestrians turn their heads. It's not the fastest car in a straight line (the Super class handles that), and it's definitely not the best around corners, but nothing else in GTA delivers the same raw, analog driving experience. When you floor a Gauntlet and the back end steps out on rain-slick Vice City asphalt, that's a feeling no Krieger can replicate.

History in GTA

The Gauntlet debuted in GTA V (2013) as a mission-critical vehicle — Trevor, Michael, and Franklin each had to steal a Gauntlet for the Union Depository heist in "The Big Score." That mission seared it into players' memories: three identical silver Gauntlets rolling into a parking garage became one of GTA V's most iconic setup sequences. In GTA Online, the Gauntlet received multiple variants — the Gauntlet Classic (a stunning 1970 Challenger homage), the Gauntlet Hellfire (a drag strip monster with a supercharged V8), and the Gauntlet Classic Custom (with Benny's lowrider-style mods). The Hellfire variant, priced at $745,000, became a competitive drag racer while the Classic became a beloved cruiser. The Gauntlet name has appeared in more missions, heists, and spontaneous police chases than perhaps any other muscle car in the franchise.

The Gauntlet in GTA 6

The Trailer 1 Gauntlet appears to be a refresh of the standard model, pulling design cues from the 2024 Dodge Challenger revival while retaining GTA's distinctive proportions. The version spotted at the gas station has a wider rear track, redesigned taillights with a full-width LED bar, and what looks like a functional rear diffuser — a first for the Gauntlet line. Given GTA 6's enhanced physics engine, expect the Gauntlet to be a proper handful in the wet — rear-wheel drive, substantial horsepower, and Vice City's frequent tropical rainstorms are a recipe for spectacular sideways moments. The Gauntlet will likely be one of the most accessible muscle cars in GTA 6, serving as a gateway vehicle for players who want speed without a seven-figure price tag. Multiple variants are almost certain to return, potentially including a Hellfire drag variant and a Classic model for players who prefer the vintage aesthetic. Its confirmed Trailer 1 appearance suggests it may play a role in early story missions, possibly reprising its heist-vehicle legacy.

Performance & Handling

The Gauntlet has always occupied the sweet spot of the muscle class — fast enough to be exciting, twitchy enough to be engaging, but not so uncontrollable that new players can't handle it. Expect a top speed around 155 mph, placing it in the upper-mid tier of muscle cars. The defining handling characteristic is oversteer: the rear end wants to break loose under hard acceleration and mid-corner throttle application. In GTA V, skilled drivers could maintain beautiful controlled drifts through entire corners, and GTA 6's improved physics should make this even more nuanced. The Gauntlet's weight (around 4,200 lbs by real-world Challenger standards) gives it momentum — once it's going, it takes time to stop, but it also means other cars bounce off it in collisions. The suspension is firm but not track-stiff, making it viable for both highway runs and the potholed streets of Little Cuba.

Where to Find It

As a Trailer 1 confirmed vehicle, the Gauntlet should be one of the most common muscle cars in Leonida. Expect to find it in NPC traffic throughout Vice City, particularly in middle-class neighborhoods and along highway on-ramps where muscle car owners love to show off. It should also be purchasable from a vehicle website at a very accessible price point — muscle cars have traditionally been some of the cheapest performance vehicles in GTA. The Ambrosia Speedway area may feature Gauntlets parked near the drag strip, and dedicated players should also check the parking lots around Hyman Memorial Stadium during in-game events.

Beyond standard spawn locations, the Gauntlet frequently appears during specific mission contexts and dynamic events throughout Leonida. Street racing gatherings in industrial districts after midnight often feature multiple Gauntlet variants, giving players opportunities to observe different customization approaches before committing to their own build. The Gauntlet's popularity among NPC drivers means you can often find one simply by cruising main thoroughfares during peak traffic hours — its distinctive Challenger-inspired silhouette is easy to spot several car lengths ahead in flowing traffic.

Customization

The Gauntlet should offer one of the deepest customization pools in the muscle class. Expect a widebody kit option, hood scoops (both functional and cosmetic), front splitter options, rear spoilers ranging from a subtle lip to a massive drag wing, side exit exhaust tips, vintage-style rally stripes, and modern geometric liveries. Wheel options should include classic Mopar-style rally wheels, modern forged monoblocks, and drag-spec skinny front / wide rear setups. Interior mods may include roll cages, racing seats, digital gauge clusters, and custom steering wheels. If a Hellfire-style performance variant returns, expect a visible supercharger poking through the hood — one of the most visually dramatic mods in GTA Online history. Paint options for the Gauntlet are where it really shines: classic Plum Crazy purple, Go Mango orange, and Sublime green would all be fitting Vice City colorways.

Tips & Strategy

The Gauntlet is a powerhouse in straight-line sprints but demands respect in corners. Its rear-wheel-drive layout combined with high torque means aggressive throttle input through turns will kick the rear end out — a blessing for skilled drivers who can drift through intersections, but a liability for those unfamiliar with muscle car dynamics. When racing, brake early before corners and apply throttle smoothly on exit rather than mashing the accelerator. This technique keeps the Gauntlet's massive power working for you instead of spinning you into a guardrail. In police chases, the Gauntlet's acceleration advantage shines on highway stretches where you can put distance between yourself and pursuing cruisers before they coordinate roadblocks ahead.

For combat situations, the Gauntlet's sturdy construction absorbs significant damage before breaking down. Its heavy frame can push lighter vehicles off the road during contact, making it an excellent ramming vehicle during mission getaways. When customized with armor upgrades, the Gauntlet becomes a surprisingly effective assault vehicle — not as armored as military options, but fast enough to escape when situations deteriorate. Consider pairing the Gauntlet with bulletproof tires early in the game, as its wide rear fenders are magnets for pursuing gunfire. For online play, a fully upgraded Gauntlet offers competitive performance at a fraction of the cost of exotic supercars.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated April 24, 2026. Vehicle specs are estimates based on trailer footage and historical GTA data. For the full searchable database, visit our Vehicles Wiki (208 entries).