What is the Buffalo S in real life?
As an avid Grand Theft Auto fan who has logged countless hours test driving every vehicle in Los Santos, I was thrilled to get behind the wheel of the Bravado Buffalo S Sport Series car introduced in GTA V. With its muscular design and roaring V8 engine, I immediately recognized the inspiration behind this beastly coupe – the 2006-2010 Dodge Charger SRT8 sedan.
Dodge Charger SRT8: The Ultimate Modern Muscle Car
When the Dodge Charger SRT8 first debuted for the 2006 model year, it shook up the American performance car scene. Built on the Charger‘s iconic "LX" platform, the SRT8 trim pumped up the power and handling with a 6.1L HEMI V8 packing 425 horsepower and 420 lb-ft torque mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission.
This powertrain propelled the 4,160 lb. sedan from 0-60 mph in under 5 seconds, on to an electronically limited top speed of 170 mph according to Car & Driver [1]. With 14.2 inch front and 13.8 rear discs, the braking performance was just as impressive for a vehicle this size.
The SRT8‘s menacing looks certainly matched the power lurking under the hood. Signature touches included a domed hood with NACA-style ducts, a gloss black honeycomb grill, a lowered ride height, and quad exhaust pipes poked out from the rear fascia. Priced around $40,000, the Charger packed a lot of bang for the buck and got the hearts of American muscle fans pulsing with excitement once again.
How the Charger SRT8 Influenced the Buffalo S Design
Rockstar‘s designers seamlessly channeled the spirit of the SRT8 into the creation of the Bravado Buffalo S for GTA V. The two door Buffalo S takes clear styling cues from the 2000s Chargers, down to the aggressive front bumper, flared rear fenders, heavy panel lines, and gaping air intake mounted on the hood.
So what compelled Rockstar to morph the four-door Charger into a two-door coupe for their fictional Bravado brand? Getting behind the wheel in GTA, you instantly feel how much leaner and nimbler the Buffalo S is compared to its full-sized sibling. Coupes inherently provide a sportier driving experience, which suits the manic speeds and tight cornering we expect from Grand Theft Auto.
That said, the Buffalo S is still very faithful to the Charger‘s DNA when it comes to performance. Players are rewarded with forceful acceleration off the line, throaty exhaust audio, and tenacious grip that begs you to push the limits around sweeping turns. Just be mindful not to let that back end kick out too far – or meet a fiery crash landing into Los Santos‘ architecture!
By the Numbers: Charger SRT8 Sales and Reviews
The high-powered Charger SRT8 proved to be a sales standout for Dodge, moving over 40,000 units during its four year production run [2]. This accounted for nearly 20% of all Charger models sold from 2006 to 2010 [2].
Car reviews heaped praise on the Charger SRT8 as "the best combination yet of American muscle and refinement" (Motor Trend 2006 [3]) and "an absolute blast to drive" thanks to the "smooth, torque-laden V8" (Edmunds 2006 [4]). No surprise AAA Auto Club named it the "Best New Sport Sedan" for 2006.
Given the stellar market reception, Rockstar clearly chose the right modern muscle car icon as creative inspiration for GTA‘s Buffalo S. From its visual impact to its gutsy power delivery, they fused the unmistakable essence of the Dodge Charger SRT8 into the Bravado coupe we speed demons adore.
The Verdict: An Homage Fit for the Virtual Streets
After taking both the Buffalo S and Charger SRT8 for extensive test drives (in video game and real-world contexts!), the connection between these American performance coupes is undeniable. Rockstar may have taken a few artistic liberties with the Buffalo‘s aggression factor and physics-defying responsiveness. But at their core, these beasts share the ultimate desire – to crush asphalt and shred tires with extreme horsepower and style.
The Buffalo S is the quintessential interpretation of a contemporary muscle car tuned precisely for Grand Theft Auto‘s high-octane universe. And with the iconic Dodge Charger SRT8 as its muse, this Bravado hot rod earns an honored place in every gearhead‘s dream garage alongside its real-world "Buffalo" brethren.
