GTA V Online Bugatti: Why the Truffade Nero is Still King

GTA V Online Bugatti: Why the Truffade Nero is Still King

You’re tearing down the Great Ocean Highway. The sun is setting over the Pacific. Suddenly, a $2 million supercar screams past you, leaving nothing but a blur of French racing blue. In the world of Los Santos, everyone knows that silhouette. It’s the Bugatti. Or, as Rockstar calls it to avoid a massive lawsuit, the Truffade.

Honestly, the GTA V Online Bugatti lineup—specifically the Truffade brand—has some of the most fascinating history in the game. It’s not just about top speed. It’s about prestige. It’s about the fact that back in 2013, owning an Adder meant you were basically a god among mortals. Now? Things are a bit more complicated.

The Evolution of the Truffade Brand

When GTA V first launched, the Truffade Adder was the ultimate flex. Based on the Bugatti Veyron, it cost a cool million dollars. Back then, earning a million felt like a second job. You didn't just buy an Adder; you earned it through endless Rooftop Rumble grinds.

But time is a thief. The Adder, once the fastest car in the game by a mile, has been power-crept into oblivion. It’s still a beast in a straight line, but try taking a corner at speed and you’ll realize it handles like a bathtub on ice.

Then came the Nero. This is where things got interesting. Based on the Bugatti Chiron, the Nero didn't just look better; it fixed almost everything wrong with the Adder. It’s heavy, sure. But that weight gives it a planted feel that newer, lighter supercars lack.

The Truffade Lineup (Real-Life Counterparts)

  • Truffade Adder: The classic Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport.
  • Truffade Nero / Nero Custom: The Bugatti Chiron (and the Vision Gran Turismo for the custom variant).
  • Truffade Thrax: The Bugatti Divo.
  • Truffade Z-Type: The legendary 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic.

Why the Nero Custom Still Wins

If you're looking for the best overall GTA V Online Bugatti, most veterans will point you toward the Nero Custom. You have to buy the base Nero from Benny's Original Motor Works for $1,440,000 and then pay another $605,000 to upgrade it.

Is it worth over $2 million? Yeah.

The Nero Custom is a "Goldilocks" car. It’s not the fastest car in the game—that title usually goes to something like the Ocelot Pariah or the HSW-upgraded monsters. But for standard races? It’s a tank. It doesn't get bullied off the road by rammers. It has an active spoiler that actually works to provide downforce.

The Thrax is arguably prettier. Based on the Divo, it’s more "track-focused." However, Broughy1322, the gold standard for GTA car testing, has shown time and again that while the Thrax has incredible grip, it lacks the raw top-end stability that makes the Nero a better "daily driver" in the chaos of a public lobby.

The $10 Million Classic: The Z-Type

We can't talk about the GTA V Online Bugatti family without mentioning the Z-Type. In Story Mode, this thing costs $10,000,000. In Online, it’s a more "reasonable" $950,000.

It’s a Sports Classic. It looks like something a 1930s villain would drive while tieing someone to train tracks. Fun fact: it’s actually one of the fastest cars in the Sports Classic class in terms of top speed. But much like the Adder, it hates corners. If you breathe on the steering wheel too hard while doing 120 mph, the rear end will overtake the front before you can say "Truffade."

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The Free Adder Secret

Most people forget this, but you can still find a "free" Bugatti in the game—sort of. In Story Mode, an Adder frequently spawns parked on Portola Drive in Rockford Hills. It’s a nod to the real-life "Bijan" Bugatti that used to be a permanent fixture outside the House of Bijan in Beverly Hills.

In GTA Online, you can see it spawn there too, but you can't keep it. Rockstar isn't giving away million-dollar cars for free that easily. If you try to drive it into your garage, you’ll get a message saying the car is "too hot." You’ll have to buy it from Legendary Motorsport like everyone else.

Handling the Competition in 2026

The meta has shifted. With the introduction of Hao’s Special Works (HSW) on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, the old Truffade fleet is starting to show its age. If you’re racing against a Weaponized Ignus or a Deveste Eight with HSW upgrades, your Bugatti is going to get smoked.

But GTA Online isn't always about winning the race. Sometimes it’s about the "Arrival." Pulling up to the Diamond Casino in a clean, two-tone Nero Custom still turns heads. It says you have taste. It says you appreciate the history of Los Santos.

Performance Breakdown (Stock vs Fully Upgraded)

The Adder’s top speed sits around 121 mph when fully modded. The Nero Custom can push closer to 127 mph. That might not sound like a huge difference, but on a long stretch of highway, it’s the difference between escaping a MKII Oppressor and becoming a fireball.

The braking on the Thrax is objectively the best in the Truffade family. It stops on a dime. If you're doing a lot of city driving with tight turns, the Thrax is your best bet. If you're doing long-distance hauls or highway battles, stick with the Nero.

Actionable Insights for Car Collectors

If you're starting your Truffade collection today, don't start with the Adder. It's a nostalgia bait.

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  1. Buy the Nero first. Take it to Benny's immediately. The "Custom" upgrade isn't just cosmetic; it changes the handling flags and improves the downforce.
  2. Wait for a sale on the Thrax. It frequently appears as a Diamond Casino Podium vehicle or on the weekly 30% off list. It’s a great car, but $2.3 million is a steep ask when the Nero exists.
  3. Use Two-Tone Paints. Bugattis are famous for their C-bar paint schemes. In Los Santos, use the Primary and Secondary color slots to create a high-contrast look—think Navy Blue and Light Blue, or Black and Orange.
  4. Ignore the Z-Type for racing. Buy it only if you want to complete a "luxury" garage. It’s a vanity piece, not a lap-time setter.

The Truffade legacy is one of the few things Rockstar has kept consistent. While other brands like Pegassi (Lamborghini) or Grotti (Ferrari) get new models every few months, Truffade releases are rare. They feel special. Whether you’re a billionaire or a new player with a fresh heist payout, owning a GTA V Online Bugatti is still a milestone every player should hit.


Next Steps for Your Garage:
Check your Maze Bank balance. If you've got the cash, head to Benny's and start the Nero conversion. Focus your upgrades on the EMS Engine Level 4 and the Race Transmission first to overcome the heavy curb weight. Once you've mastered the AWD launch of the Nero, you'll find it much easier to hold your own against the newer, more erratic supercars in the current 2026 roster.