The Vapid Contender is a pickup truck featured in Grand Theft Auto IV, returning in Grand Theft Auto Online as part of the Cunning Stunts update, released on July 26th, 2016, during the Cunning Stunts Bonuses II event, and due to appear in Grand Theft Auto VI.

Design

Grand Theft Auto IV

Designed as a two-door pickup truck, the Contender has styling very reminiscent of the 2004 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning Concept, most noticeably in the wheel arches, front bumper, grille shape, and hood, while the bed and the rear wheel arches are reminiscent of the first-generation Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The headlights are most likely inspired by the 2006–2008 Ford Escape (ZC), while the tail lights are inspired by the 2001 Ford F-150 Lightning Rod Concept. It has a Chevrolet-like style, horizontally split grille that is similar to the 2007-2014 GM GMT900 SUVs. The supercharged 5.7L V8 engine is also similar to the Lightning concept but with a larger displacement V8 (the Lightning had a 5.4L V8).

The Contender is depicted as a pickup truck with a somewhat sporty appearance, where the front bumper has rectangular mesh intakes, with the central one being almost twice the height compared to the side ones. A split grille can be seen on the upper area, along with black housings containing the circular lamps. The hood sports two thin ducts leading to the engine. The sides assume a bulky appearance on the lower sides and the wheel arches, with a separation between the cab and the truck bed. The cabin makes use of black trim around the windows, black rectangle mirror wings and tinted rear windows. The rear of the car assumes a more simplistic appearance, featuring red and amber lights on the outer edges, as well as a tailgate and two open slots at the bottom.

The Contender can spawn with several accessories:

• A front bull bar.
• Either a roll-cage bar with roof spotlights, a wide roll-cage frame or a wide roll-cage with black tubular bar attached to the back of the cab.
• Either a black soft bed cover or a plain body-colored cover.

Contenders only spawn in single colors, with the bottom portions and the grille surroundings always finished in silver.

Grand Theft Auto Online

The Contender returns as a lifted four-door pickup truck loosely resembling the Toyota Tundra Devolro Diablo (albeit a different cab configuration), seen particularly in the frontal fascia and bull bar, the rear bed cap and rack, and the rear arches. Its cab design greatly resembles the fourth-generation Dodge Ram, primarily in the design of its doors, while the tail lights are inspired by the thirteenth-generation Ford F-150 (P552).

The Contender is distinctive by the heavy-duty front bumper, fitted with a winch, brush guard and three fog lamps. The grille has a bolted-on surrounding and three horizontal separations, while the edges feature circular headlights with LED strips below and turn signals on the edges. The sides are characterized by the bolted-on arch extensions on the fenders, as well as the black side steps and door handles. The cabin features black window trim, rearview mirrors and roof marker lights. The roof itself features thin ridged details, while a third brake light is seen on the rear side. The rear end features large tail lights on the edges and a large tailgate on the center, along with a small bumper fitted with a license plate. The underside features large shock absorbers along with springs, and four kicker braces/impact struts running from each axle. As well as the two main axle diffs, the prop shafts also run to two more central locking diffs. The front underside also sports a sump guard protecting the engine directly above it. The vehicle shares its interior with the majority of the other trucks, including its predecessor, the Sandking XL.

The Contender may spawn with a large bed cap with a roof-rack on top, although one can change it in Los Santos Customs. The vehicle is only available in a single color, and is set to black in instances where natural spawning occur (i.e. missions or Content Creator). Its stock wheels share the same rim design as those found on the Baller LE and its LWB variant. The rims themselves can be repainted through Content Creator, although the permanent black finish gives it a darker tint/shade.

Current Design Gallery

• Second generation (GTA Online)
• First generation (GTA IV)

Performance

Grand Theft Auto IV

Despite having an apparent 5.7 liter supercharged V8 engine, the Contender only develops low amounts of power and therefore speeds are not too high, and can be equally matched by the Bobcat but the top speed is higher. On the bright side though, the Contender is impressively durable with collisions and gunfire. Handling is below average with the truck feeling heavy, and understeering around corners. Despite it being a pickup, it is not good off-road, since the truck is only rear-wheel drive, and the suspension is firm and does not have enough ground clearance.

The vehicle shares the engine sound from the Cavalcade and its FXT variant.

GTA IV Overview

Grand Theft Auto Online

The Contender has reasonable performance thanks to a powerful V8 engine powering all four wheels (four-wheel drive), giving it immediate acceleration and little loss of traction in a straight line, as well as great off-roading capabilities. However, it has a large oversteer when approaching corners too fast, resulting in a spin-out at high speeds. Along with being a heavy and durable vehicle, this vehicle has bullet resistant windows, strong axle, and sturdy frame.

The truck sports a 5.4-liter single-cam V8 engine laid longitudinally in a front-engine, all-wheel-drive (4x4) configuration (just like the Sadler). It is coupled to a 5-speed gearbox. It shares the same engine sound as most other trucks and SUVs, such as the Granger and the Bodhi.

GTA Online Overview

Rockstar Games Social Club

Grand Theft Auto Online

Vapid Contender - SUVs

Main image (after 2019).

"Action" image.

Main image (prior to 2019).

SPEED

72.43

ACCELERATION

65

BRAKING

20

TRACTION

63.64

SEATS

4

GARAGE

MODDABLE

PREMIUM

SUPER-MODDABLE

SELL

BUY

DEALER

www.southernsanandreassuperautos.com

Modifications

Grand Theft Auto Online

Category		Modification	Cost	Image
Armor		No Armor	$500
		Armor Upgrade 20%	$5,250
		Armor Upgrade 40%	$8,750
		Armor Upgrade 60%	$14,000
		Armor Upgrade 80%	$24,500
		Armor Upgrade 100%	$35,000
Brakes		Stock Brakes	$500
		Street Brakes	$10,000
		Sport Brakes	$13,500
		Race Brakes	$17,500
Engine		EMS Upgrade, Level 1	$4,500
		EMS Upgrade, Level 2	$6,250
		EMS Upgrade, Level 3	$9,000
		EMS Upgrade, Level 4	$16,750
Explosives		Ignition Bomb	$5,000
		Remote Bomb	$7,500
Horns		Main article: Vehicle Customization in GTA V/Horns	-
Lights	Headlights	Stock Lights	$400
		Xenon Lights	$5,000
	Neon Kits	Main article: Vehicle Customization in GTA V/Lights	-
Loss/Theft Prevention		Tracker	Too Hot
		Full Coverage	Too Hot
Plates		Blue on White 1	$200
		Blue on White 2	$200
		Blue on White 3	$200
		Yellow on Blue	$300
		Yellow on Black	$600
Respray		Main article: Vehicle Customization in GTA V/Respray Colors	-
Roofs		Stock Roof	$200
		No Roof	$700
Sell		Sell Vehicle	Too Hot
Suspension		Stock Suspension	$200
		Lowered Suspension	$1,000
		Street Suspension	$2,000
		Sport Suspension	$3,400
		Competition Suspension	$4,400
Transmission		Stock Transmission	$500
		Street Transmission	$14,750
		Sports Transmission	$16,250
		Race Transmission	$20,000
Turbo		None	$2,500
		Turbo Tuning	$35,000
Wheels		Main article: Vehicle Customization in GTA V/Wheels	-
Windows		None	$500
		Light Smoke	$1,500
		Dark Smoke	$3,500
		Limo	$5,000

Gallery

Grand Theft Auto IV

Grand Theft Auto Online

Video

Variants

Image	Vehicle	Description	Notes
	Utility Truck	Utility variant with flatbed compartment and equipment.

Special Variants

Grand Theft Auto IV

• A special green colored Contender driven by the Irish Mob can be found in Steinway. It has huge chrome brush guards and comes with an exclusive bed modification, sporting a soft tonneau cover and chrome roll bars with body color fog lights mounted on top. Its speed and acceleration have increased a very small amount from the supercharger being added. This Contender can be resprayed into any regular color.

• A Contender is also requested as part of Stevie's Car Thefts, appearing with a dark grey paintjob. As a new Contender will respawn at the same spot until the player delivers one to S&M Auto Sales, the player can save one at their safehouse before delivering another. The maximum amount of money you can obtain from delivering the Contender to Stevie is $8,250.

• A special Contender cab be seen in the mission Smackdown, being driven by Bucky Sligo. It sports a tonneau cover, a black primary color and one of thirteen possible lusters. This vehicle can be stored at the player's safehouse. The color cannot be obtained from a Pay 'n' Spray.

Locations

Grand Theft Auto IV

• Usually found in most districts of Broker and Dukes.
• Is usually seen in Star Junction, Fishmarket North, Fishmarket South and The Triangle, Algonquin.
• The McReary mob variant can be found around Steinway.
• The one requested by Stevie can be found in the Twitchin's Sugar factory compound on Creek Street in BOABO, Broker.

Grand Theft Auto Online

• Available for purchase from Southern San Andreas Super Autos for $250,000.
  • Previously removed from the website as part of the San Andreas Mercenaries update, reinstated with the Money Fronts update.

Prominent Appearances in Gameplay

Grand Theft Auto IV

• Smackdown – As mentioned above, Bucky Sligo drives a Contender, which attempts to run away from Niko Bellic, which was in a Police Car.
• Stevie's Car Thefts – The Contender is one of the 30 vehicles wanted by Stevie.

Grand Theft Auto Online

Bikers

• Clubhouse Contract: Gunrunning – If the location is near Los Santos International Airport, a matte black Contender will be parked at the jetty. Once delivered, it is inaccessible to players.
• Two Business Supplies Steal Missions
  • Rob Vagos – Two accessible matte black Contenders belonging to Los Santos Vagos will be parked at the location (or one if the location is Davis Quartz). However, these will be inaccessible to players shortly after the supplies are delivered, even if the vehicles themselves are not used for transport.
  • Raid Nasty People – If the location is North Rockford Drive, the Vagos will use matte black inaccessible Contenders to chase the player.

Import/Export

• VIP Work: Plowed – Two-to-four Matte black Contenders may spawn at the Fridgit factory, Palmer-Taylor Power Station, or Elysian Island, if the player is required to go there.

Gunrunning

• Supplies Steal Mission: Merryweather Convoy – Merryweather Security attackers will drive matte black Contenders shortly after a convoy has been ambushed.

The Cayo Perico Heist

• Quarry Survival – Used by attacking enemies.

Agents of Sabotage

• The Brute Force File
  • Private Military Armor – The player must search three Contenders inside the Merryweather lockup for the private military armor, which is only in one car. Once the desired Contender is found, the player will need to deliver it to the Garment Factory.

Notable Owners

Grand Theft Auto IV and Episodes from Liberty City

• Bucky Sligo – Owns a slightly modified, special-colored Contender, as seen in Grand Theft Auto IV.
• McReary Crime Family – Members of the gang use another special variant of the Contender.

Grand Theft Auto Online

• Los Santos Vagos
• Merryweather Security

Rewards

Grand Theft Auto IV

• After collecting all thirty cars for Stevie he agrees to purchase cars from Niko Bellic, with the Contender fetching $2,500.

Radio Stations

• In Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition, the default radio stations are grouped by genre. The Contender uses the "Classic Rock" group which can play Liberty Rock Radio.
• In Grand Theft Auto Online, the default radio stations are grouped by genre. The Contender uses the "Rock" group which can play:
  • Los Santos Rock Radio
  • Radio Mirror Park
  • Kult FM
  • Vinewood Boulevard Radio (May not play due to a three station limit within the group)

Specifications

Traffic Default Colors

Trivia

Grand Theft Auto IV

• In the BradyGames guide, the Contender is occasionally referred to as the E109. In the game's files, the model for the Contender is called E109. It hints that it is a beta name, a reference to the Ford F-150, the vehicle the Contender is primarily based on.
• In a car commercial on CNT (Sully's Auto Mart), a white Contender is referred to as the EXT, which could be another beta name for the truck. The truck in the commercial also has 5-spoke rims, which may be the beta design for the truck.
• The truck also appears as an undrivable prop in Brucie's Garage and Stevie's garage, However, further inspection shows the truck to be, if not noticeable smaller than the current model, and further notice is a smaller rollbar as seen on the "Supercharged" variant, yet scaled smaller.
• The slogan "Built to Rule" appearing on the billboards is a play on Ford's slogan "Built Tough" which is used for their F-Series. This is even more obvious knowing that Vapid, the brand constructing the Contender, is the Grand Theft Auto IV parody of Ford.
• Advertising for the Contender appears in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, although the vehicle itself does not appear.
  • An advert for the vehicle also appears in Max Payne 3, another Rockstar game.

Grand Theft Auto Online

• The Rockstar Games Social Club image of the Contender lacks the front-mounted fog lights, even if the said component is a permanent extra in the vehicle. Although there is no option to remove it at Los Santos Customs.

See Also

• Sandking XL and Sandking SWB – 4-door and 2-door trucks similar to the second generation Contender, featured in GTA V.
• Guardian – A similar heavy-duty pickup truck manufactured by Vapid.
• Utility Van – A truck in GTA V that uses the same design of the previous generation Contender seen in GTA IV.
• Firebolt ASP – A 2-door Vapid truck based on the 1999 Ford SVT Lightning, appearing in Grand Theft Auto Online.

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