Somewhere in the Eastern European country of Latvia, coachbuilder DARTZ is cooking up something unusual: it is building an armored SUV for an undisclosed client, which takes its inspiration from an armored SUV in GTA Online called HVY Nightshark (itself based on DARTZ’s various commissioned projects).
DARTZ Brings HVY Nightshark Into Real Life
Special commissions like this are never cheap – the company confirmed the vehicle’s value falls within seven-figure territory and that production has reached its final finishing stages. While no details has been given on what constitutes its powertrain and underpinnings, the complete build will be showcased in Miami alongside Grand Theft Auto VI’s launch this November, though the exact date is not yet confirmed at this time.
DARTZ founder Leonard F. Yankelovich said the game’s use of its design elements in the Nightshark was seen as a compliment, adding that the current customer did not ask DARTZ to replicate the in-game vehicle directly but rather to build a physical version reflecting its design inspiration. He added that, unlike most car companies which begin projects with market research, this project began with a client request following the game-inspired design connection.
In case you’re unfamiliar with this Riga-based brand, its vehicles have previously appeared in other media, including golden Prombron vehicles used in the film “The Dictator” and later Aladeen-inspired editions, as well as licensed appearances in the Nintendo Switch game Racing Xtreme: Fast Rally Driver 3D, which features six officially licensed DARTZ Prombron vehicles.
DARTZ clarified that the project is an independent commission and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive. The company stated the final vehicle is not being presented as an official Nightshark replica, licensed GTA vehicle, or Rockstar collaboration, and will carry an independent DARTZ identity.
Pokdepinion: This company clearly knows the GTA VI release week timing will do a lot of the marketing work for them. Valid though, given they’re building a GTA-inspired vehicle after all.
