For the sports car featured in Grand Theft Auto 2, see Romero.
The Romero Hearse is a vehicle which first appeared in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City as the Romero's Hearse. The name was shortened to Romero in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Grand Theft Auto IV, and in Grand Theft Auto V, it was renamed the Romero Hearse. It is manufactured by Albany in GTA IV and Chariot in GTA V.
Influence[]
3D Universe[]
In the 3D Universe, Romero's Hearse takes an overall influence from 1980s models of the Buick LeSabre Superior Hearse. The model in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City takes influence in its rear end from 1960s Buick hearse models, while the front and rear ends of the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas model more closely resemble the LeSabre Superior Hearse.
HD Universe[]
In the HD Universe, the Romero Hearse takes on a modern hearse design using the body of the Washington, taking influence from hearse models of the third generation Lincoln Town Car.
Design[]
3D Universe[]
The design of Romero's Hearse in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is as expected for a vehicle tailored to transport the deceased, appearing as a black station wagon-like car with a rear compartment designed to carry a coffin. The car does not seem to be based on any particular model, loosely sharing cues from cars like the Regina and the Greenwood. The vehicle features a set of rear doors intended for the loading of the coffin on the back, as well as an extended roof and side decorations on the separations of the door windows and on the rear sections. The rear end has vertical tail lights in a similar way to the Perennial. The car may have a coffin at the back (appearing with one of two or three different designs), and may spawn in black or in four shades of grey.
In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the design of the Romero leans more towards the Regina, but still has unique features to distinct it from other standard cars. The rear section is largely similar to the GTA Vice City rendition in terms of layout and features, but the rear wheels are partially covered by the bodywork and has smaller tail lights. Despite having rear door handles, the car lacks any sort ofopenable rear doors, as there are no gaps. It sports a wider range of colors for the body as primary and roof as secondary (although generally maintain dark tones).
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
The HD universe rendition of the Romero is built on the Washington chassis, and as such, bears the Albany brand. The front is evidently the same as the Washington's, sharing the same grille placements, headlights and the Albany ornament on the hood. The sides retain the chrome details passing through the doors, but the original plastic details from the Washington were replaced by chrome ones on the bottom sides and the greenhouse area, alomg with side lights on the rear quarters. As expected from a hearse, the Romero has an additional set of rear doors with curtain textures inside, an extended roof and the decorations around the back section. The rear end of the car features a single rear door that hinges from the driver side and is fitted with curtain textures inside, as well as a set of red lights on the outer edges and white vertical lights on the bumper, beside the license plate. The vehicle has a unique dark purple interior.
Unlike former renditions, the vehicle no longer spawns with a coffin on the back (aside from the mission Undertaker, which is an actual prop rather than an extra), and only spawns in black. The Romero shares the same rims of the Washington, but has whitewall tires.
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
The Romero reappears unchanged in Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online, though the cross decorations were removed. While it seems to retain the rear doors, they are actually part of the bodywork, therefore uninteractive in any way.
In the original versions of the game, the Romero retained the dark purple color. In the enhanced version, however, the interior is black like many other vehicles. The rear of the vehicle remains purple, however.
The Romero Hearse uses the Schafter interior, unlike the Washington which uses the generic "Police/Taxi" interior.
Unlike in GTA IV, the Romero will spawn either with an empty back, a coffin or a coffin with wreaths. The vehicle is only available in a single body color, though the color of the stitching matches with the body. It retains the same wheel design as the Washington, although it lack the whitewall details on the tires.
Performance[]
3D Universe[]
The Romero's Hearse in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is a car capable of high speeds, but suffers from poor steering due to its weight and long wheelbase.
In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the vehicle is almost an amalgamation of all the least desirable characteristics in a car. Its engine is weak, with poor acceleration, low top speed, and low durability. Its suspension is soft and very low, sometimes leading to the chassis scraping the ground from a fall (This problem can be fixed by modifying it with Hydraulics at any Transfender shop, and locking the hydraulics on 'High' mode). Its brakes are weak, and its wheels do not lock up when braking.
All renditions of the hearse are only capable of carrying two occupants, despite featuring two back doors in most cases. The Grand Theft Auto: Vice City rendition is an exception, being capable of holding four occupants.
3D Universe Overview[]
| Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh) |
Gears | Engine | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) |
Mass (kg / lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 93 / 150 | 5 | Petrol | FWD (GTA Vice City)
RWD (GTA San Andreas) |
2500 / 5512 |
| N/A | N/A | 5 | N/A | FWD (GTA Vice City)
RWD (GTA San Andreas) |
Cannot be observed |
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
The Romero retains the adequate handling of the Washington, but has inferior acceleration and top speed due to the added weight of the wagon body. Suspension is average on the front, but rather low on the rear because of the extra weight, which causes certain difficulty on curbs or bumpy terrain when reversing the vehicle.
Like the Washington, the Romero is powered by a single-cam V8 engine, coupled to a five-speed gearbox in a front engine, rear wheel drive layout. The engine appears to have four small pipes on the vehicle's passenger side, but only three on the vehicle's driver side (with the fourth one seemingly hidden within the engine bay texture). The engine sound is shared with the Washington and other luxury cars, being low-revving and smooth.
GTA IV Overview[]
| Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh) |
Gears | Engines | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) |
Mass (kg / lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 75 / 120 | 5 | N/A | RWD | 2800 / 6173 |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | 5 | FR SOHC V8 (In-game model) | RWD | Cannot be observed |
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
The Romero Hearse retains some of its handling elements from its appearance in GTA IV. However, its top speed has been improved. Once close to or at its top speed, the Romero Hearse can gain enough momentum to push through obstacles and roadblocks with relative ease. The vehicle's performance still remains below average, but acceptable for its size and purpose.
Again, the car is powered by a single-cam V8 engine, coupled to a 5-speed gearbox in a front engine, rear wheel drive layout. Its engine sound is generally mid-revving and smooth, similar to the one on the Primo.
GTA V and Online Overview[]
| Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh) |
Gears | Engine | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) |
Mass (kg / lbs) |
Fuel Tank Size (litres) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 77 / 125 | 5 | N/A | RWD | 2000 / 4409 | 65 |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 24.5 Seconds | 95 / 152 | 5 | FR SOHC V8 (In-game model) | RWD | Cannot be observed | Cannot be observed |
Rockstar Games Social Club[]
Modifications[]
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[]
The Romero can be modified at the TransFenders.
| Type | Upgrade | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Car Color 1 (64 different colors) | $ 150 |
| Car Color 2 (64 different colors) | $150 | |
| Nitro | 2x Nitrous | $200 |
| 5x Nitrous | $500 | |
| 10x Nitrous | $1000 | |
| Wheels | Import | $820 |
| Atomic | $770 | |
| Ahab | $1000 | |
| Virtual | $620 | |
| Access | $1140 | |
| Off Road Wheel | $1000 | |
| Mega | $1030 | |
| Grove | $1230 | |
| Twist | $1200 | |
| Wires | $1560 | |
| Car Stereo | Bass Boost | $100 |
| Hydraulics | Hydraulics | $1500 |
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
| Category | Modification | Cost (GTA V) | Cost (GTA Online) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armor | No Armor | $100 | $200 | |
| Armor Upgrade 20% | $500 | $4,500 | ||
| Armor Upgrade 40% | $1,250 | $7,500 | ||
| Armor Upgrade 60% | $2,000 | $12,000 | ||
| Armor Upgrade 80% | $3,500 | $21,000 | ||
| Armor Upgrade 100% | $5,000 | $30,000 | ||
| Brakes | Stock Brakes | $100 | $200 | |
| Street Brakes | $2,000 | $4,000 | ||
| Sport Brakes | $2,700 | $5,400 | ||
| Race Brakes | $3,500 | $7,000 | ||
| Engine | EMS Upgrade, Level 1 | $900 | $1,800 | |
| EMS Upgrade, Level 2 | $1,250 | $2,500 | ||
| EMS Upgrade, Level 3 | $1,800 | $3,600 | ||
| EMS Upgrade, Level 4 | $3,350 | $6,700 | ||
| Horns | Main article: Los Santos Customs/Horns | - | - | |
| Lights | Headlights | Stock Lights | $100 | $200 |
| Xenon Lights | $300 | $3,000 | ||
| Neon Kits | Main article: Los Santos Customs/Lights | - | - | |
| Loss/Theft Prevention | Tracker | N/A | $2,000 | |
| Full Coverage | N/A | $5,625 | ||
| Plates | Blue on White 1 | $50 | $200 | |
| Blue on White 2 | $50 | $200 | ||
| Blue on White 3 | $50 | $200 | ||
| Yellow on Blue | $75 | $300 | ||
| Yellow on Black | $150 | $600 | ||
| Respray | Main article: Vehicle Customization in GTA V/Respray Colors | - | - | |
| Sell | Sell Vehicle | N/A | $1,500 | |
| Suspension | Stock Suspension | $100 | $200 | |
| Lowered Suspension | $500 | $1,000 | ||
| Street Suspension | $1,000 | $2,000 | ||
| Sport Suspension | $1,700 | $3,400 | ||
| Competition Suspension | $2,200 | $4,400 | ||
| Transmission | Stock Transmission | $100 | $200 | |
| Street Transmission | $2,950 | $5,900 | ||
| Sports Transmission | $3,250 | $6,500 | ||
| Race Transmission | $4,000 | $8,000 | ||
| Turbo | None | $500 | $1,000 | |
| Turbo Tuning | $2,500 | $30,000 | ||
| Wheels | Main article: Los Santos Customs/Wheels | - | - | |
| Windows | None | $100 | $500 | |
| Light Smoke | $200 | $1,500 | ||
| Dark Smoke | $450 | $3,500 | ||
| Limo | $700 | $5,000 | ||
Gallery[]
Design[]
Detailing
Detailing
Version History[]
Prominent Appearances in Gameplay[]
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City[]
- Two Bit Hit - Two of them appear during the mission and the new gang lord may escape in one if he is not killed early enough. This one may throw an indefinite amount of coffins from its trunk, which will cause any vehicle to catch on fire and eventually explode if crashed into.
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
- Undertaker – One appears in this mission, in which the player has to take the corpse of Derrick or Francis to Steinway or Colony Island, respectively. No matter what choice is made in the mission Blood Brothers, the player has to drive it as part of the mission.
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
Lamar Lowrider Missions[]
- In the Funeral Party, two Romero Hearses appear as main targets.
The Diamond Casino Heist[]
- In the Heist Prep: Security Pass (Level 2), the player has a chance to obtain a Romero Hearse and dress as a funeral director to the Los Santos County Coroner Office, find the valet's body and get the level 2 security pass from him.
- The Hearse comes without the coffin but has two bags of funeral director outfits at the rear. Once the mission is completed, the bags will disappear.
Notable Owners[]
- Katie Zhan owns a white Romero, with a custom licence plate reading "TRAUMA", as a reference to her job as a nurse.
Locations[]
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City[]
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[]
- It randomly spawns in the Vigilante side mission.
- One is parked in the driveway of Drive-Thru Confessions Church, Palomino Creek, Red County (only on the PlayStation 2 version of the game).
- One is parked outside Katie Zhan's home in Juniper Hollow, San Fierro (only when dating her, unlocks after 50% dating progress).
- One is parked in the car park of the Fort Carson Medical Center, Fort Carson, Bone County
- Two are located at Blackfield Chapel, Las Venturas.
- One is parked next to the Angel Pine Medical Center, Angel Pine, Whetstone.
- Via cheat:
- PC: WHERESTHEFUNERAL
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
The Romero is one of the rarest vehicles in the game, being limited to a single appearance in the game:
- It can be obtained following the mission "Undertaker". After the final cutscene finishes, the player will spawn behind the Romero with a pedestrian driving it away. To obtain it, quickly shoot the pedestrian in the head to bring the Romero to a stop, then take it and store it at one of the numerous safehouses in Liberty City or Alderney. This Romero will spawn with bulletproof tires.
- The Romero will also spawn in traffic across Liberty City if the player is already driving one.
Grand Theft Auto V[]
- Seen parked at Paleto Bay, near The Hen House property in the parking lot of St. Brigid Baptist Church.
- Seen parked in front of the mortuary on Innocence Boulevard in Rancho.
- Seen parked in the graveyard parking lot of the Hill Valley Church in Pacific Bluffs.
- Seen parked in front of a small church near Central Los Santos Medical Center in Strawberry.
- Parked at Strawberry Mortuary on Davis Avenue in Strawberry, Los Santos.
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
Enhanced version[]
- Can be spawned at the same locations it appears in during the single player campaign by 'seeding' with another Romero - for example, by riding as a passenger in another player's Romero towards a location such as the Hill Valley Church, between one to three Romero Hearses will spawn in the church's parking lot.
- Can be found on one of the Clubhouse Contracts missions Guns for Hire, namely the one at a funeral.
- Appears at the Hill Valley Church during a certain Special Cargo mission, in which Epsilon Program members at the graveyard have to be killed. This Romero itself cannot be stored, but can be used to spawn Romeros that can.
- After Heist Prep: Security Pass (Level 2) mission, the Hearse can be used as a "seed vehicle" to spawn another cars, but itself cannot be stored.
- Available for purchase from Southern San Andreas Super Autos for $45,000 as part of the After Hours continuation.
- No longer available; removed from the website as part of the San Andreas Mercenaries update.
Rewards[]
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
- The vehicle can be sold for $2,200 at S&M Auto Sales following completion of Stevie's Car Thefts.
Radio Stations[]
- In Grand Theft Auto IV, the default radio stations are grouped by genre. The Romero's Hearse uses the "Ambient" group which plays The Journey.
- In Grand Theft Auto V and Online, the radio is set to "Off".
Trivia[]
General[]
- The Romero name is a reference to the late George A. Romero, the director of the Night of the Living Dead series of zombie movies.
- The Romero Hearse is called the 钢骨灵车/鋼骨靈車 or Steel-boned Hearse in the international Chinese release of GTA V.
- The Romero is generally depicted with four passenger doors, despite being able to carry only two people (with the exception of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City). Most real-life hearses utilise the rear doors as a means of loading the coffin.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City[]
- If one manages to get a passenger to sit in the back of the Romero, they will sit inside the coffin.
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
- Just like the Washington, its base model, it features the door-ajar chime which can be heard with the door open and volume turned up.
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
- There is a wrecked Romero on a car jack in the La Mesa branch of Los Santos Customs.
- Despite being stated to be manufactured by Chariot, it still retains an Albany badge mounted on the hood bonnet, suggesting that Chariot may be a Coachbuilder firm.
Oversights[]
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City[]
- When the left light of the Romero is broken, it will still work, but the right (unbroken) light will not, and vice versa.
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
- The grille bezel is improperly textured, causing the left side to be colored red and the base to have a diamond-plated steel texture. This was fixed in Grand Theft Auto V.
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
- There is a small gap on the driver side of the rear compartment interior, allowing one to see the exterior. It is best seen with the Rockstar Editor camera.
See Also[]
- Hearse - Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars equivalents.
- Lurcher - Another type of hearse added to Grand Theft Auto Online as part of the Halloween Surprise Update.