GTA Online and previous games in the Grand Theft Auto franchise are known for having beautiful cars, with designs loosely based on popular vehicles. One of the most popular cars in this game is the ZR350, which has a sporty design and a fast top speed. This vehicle, which is inspired by a Japanese sports car, was first seen in GTA San Andreas. While it may seem that not much has changed regarding its design, the ZR350s of GTA Online and San Andreas are quite different under the hood.
The ZR350 is a recent addition to GTA Online, as it came as an update from the Los Santos Tuners expansion. This DLC allowed players to purchase and customize vehicles based on popular Japanese domestic market (JDM) cars. The ZR350, in particular, is inspired by sports car models from Mazda and Nissan. Many cars in the expansion beat this vehicle out in terms of top speed and traction, but it remains popular among GTA Online players because of its looks and legacy in San Andreas.
The Difference Between GTA Online and GTA San Andreas’ ZR350 Design
The ZR350 may seem like it didn’t go through any design changes from San Andreas to GTA Online, but there are a few details that set the two versions apart. San Andreas’ design is based on the Mazda RX-7 (1992–2002 model), a two-seater coupe with a compact Wankel engine. The RX-7 was popular because of its classic pop-up headlights and slick design.
This model was relatively affordable and had great fuel economy, making it the go-to choice for car enthusiasts on a tight budget. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see an early-model RX-7 at one’s nearest JDM car meet. Therefore, it only made sense to add it to the bustling urban streets of San Andreas and the social spaces of Los Santos Tuners car meets.
The game version looks almost exactly like its real-life counterpart, but its taillights are based on Nissan sports cars like the Silvia S14 and 240SX. It spawns in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in different single colors, like dark gray, red, orange, and blue. Players may also come across ZR350s with or without spoilers.
The GTA Online ZR350 is known as the Annis ZR350, and it looks a lot like its San Andreas counterpart. Rather, it takes more design cues from other Mazda cars than Nissan ones. For example, its headlights and taillights resemble the more modern MX-5 and Miata models. The newer version’s paint is also customizable down to the trim. San Andreas players can’t upgrade their ZR350, so they have to wait for their preferred color to spawn in the game’s commercial districts.
The ZR350 in GTA Online and GTA San Andreas is More of a Looker than a Performer
There’s no denying that the ZR350 is fast, with a top speed of 117.50 mph (189.1 km/h), and it accelerates quickly, too. However, it’s not the top pick when it comes to street racing because of its poor traction and, consequently, bad braking. Players will often find themselves fighting to keep the ZR350 on the right track at high speeds, making crashes on sharp corners quite common. This is especially true for people who are new to GTA 5’s racing mode. The car is also quite delicate, as its headlights, taillights, and windows can shatter even during low-speed collisions.
The ZR350 oozes cool with its elongated design, pop-up headlights, and lowered body. It only makes sense for it to cross over from GTA San Andreas to the more modern GTA Online, where players can customize it to their hearts' content. Fans love this vehicle despite its wonky handling because of nostalgia for both the older games and the classic car it’s designed after. If there’s any car that should return to GTA 6 and other sequels, it’s the ZR350.
GTA Online is available now on PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
