Introduction: Racing in the World of Mafia II
Game Mafia II from 2K Czech is not only an exciting crime drama, but also a virtual paradise for car enthusiasts. The action takes place in the 1940s and 1950s, when American roads were filled with powerful cars with unique designs. But among the dozens of cars in the game there are those that are capable of developing record speed of up to 240 km/h after full tuning - and that’s exactly what we’ll look at today.
If you want to win all the street races, escape from the police, or just enjoy driving the legendary American muscle cars, this guide will help you choose the best car. We will analyze not only standard specifications, but also hidden parameters that affect speed, handling and acceleration. We’ll also tell you how to unlock rare models and where to find them in Empira Bay.
But before we dive into the technical details, let's answer the main question: why is it even important to know which car is the fastest? B Mafia II Speed often means the difference between victory and defeat—whether it's a race against the clock or chasing a goal. Plus, some missions require specific vehicles, and choosing the right model will save you hours of gameplay.
Top 5 fastest production cars in Mafia II
There are several cars in the game base that show impressive results from the factory. They can be found on the streets or bought in salons - but not all of them are equally accessible. Here is the rating serial models (excluding tuning), sorted by maximum speed:
- 🥇 Smith Thunderbolt — 210 km/h (1951, coupe)
- 🥈 Lassiter V16 Roadster — 205 km/h (1948, roadster)
- 🥉 Bolt Ace Coupe — 200 km/h (1950, hot rod)
- 4️⃣ Shubert Blackhawk — 195 km/h (1949, sedan)
- 5️⃣ Hudson Commodore — 190 km/h (1947, classic)
Rating leader - Smith Thunderbolt is a true legend of the game. It can be found in the area Downtown or win the race "King of the Hill". The machine is equipped V8 engine with a high compression ratio, which gives it an advantage on straight sections. However, it has a drawback: poor handling at high speeds, especially on wet roads.
Lassiter V16 Roadster is a luxury car with a 16-cylinder engine that accelerates smoothly but requires careful handling. Its plus is excellent road grip, and its minus is the high price in the showroom ($12,500). If you need a car for long runs, this roadster is perfect.
Hidden cars: how to unlock rare models
Not all the fastest cars in Mafia II available from the very beginning. Some need found in certain locations, others - to win races or receive for completing missions. Here is the list hidden cars, which can surpass production models in speed:
| Model | Max. speed (without tuning) | How to unlock | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shubert Frigate | 215 km/h | Win the race "The Frigate Challenge" |
Port Dockyard |
| Bolt Ace Custom | 220 km/h | Find the gang in the garage Falcone |
Little Italy, backyards |
| Smith Thunderbolt '52 | 225 km/h | Buy from a dealer Exotic Cars after 10 chapters |
Uptown, salon |
| Lassiter Series 69 | 230 km/h | Collect everything Playboy magazines |
Secret garage |
Lassiter Series 69 is the absolute game record holder for speed in stock configuration. It can only be obtained after collecting all 50 magazines Playboy, scattered across the map. The machine is equipped with an experimental turbocharged, which is activated at speeds above 160 km/h. However, her braking distance leaves much to be desired - be careful when turning!
Another interesting option - Bolt Ace Custom. This car is hidden in the Falcone family garage, and in order to get it you will have to remove security or use a cheat code givecar bolt_ace_custom (for PC version). Its advantage is improved suspension, which makes it more stable at high speeds compared to the standard Bolt Ace.
How to quickly find Shubert Frigate?
The Frigate Challenge race becomes available after completing the mission "The Buzzsaw". It is located on the pier in the Dockyard area. Tip: Use the Smith Thunderbolt to win, as it has better acceleration at the start.
Tuning: how to make a car even faster
Even the fastest car in Mafia II may become even more powerful after visiting car service. There are three tuning levels available in the game for each car, and each of them affects key parameters: maximum speed, acceleration, braking distance and handling. Here's what each level gives you:
- 🔧 Level 1 (Basic): +10% speed, improved grip
- 🔧🔧 Level 2 (Advanced): +20% speed, stronger engine
- 🔧🔧🔧 Level 3 (Extreme): +30% speed, turbo (for some models)
For example, Smith Thunderbolt after complete tuning it accelerates to 273 km/h - this is an absolute record among all cars in the game. However, there is a nuance: handling deteriorates in proportion to the increase in power. At the third level of tuning, the car can skid even on a flat road, so it is recommended to use it only on straight roads.
Better suited for time trials Bolt Ace Custom with the second level of tuning. It gives an optimal balance between speed (240 km/h) and controllability. And if you need a car for drifting, choose Lassiter V16 Roadster with the first level - it retains good grip, but at the same time receives an increase in acceleration.
☑️ Optimal tuning for racing
Advice from the experts: before tuning, save the game! B Mafia II There is a bug due to which after an upgrade the machine may lose some characteristics (for example, the maximum speed will not change, but acceleration will become worse). If this happens, load your last save and repeat the procedure.
Comparison with real prototypes
Many cars in Mafia II based on actual models from the 1940s and 1950s. For example, Smith Thunderbolt is a hybrid Ford Thunderbird and Chevrolet Corvette first generation. A Lassiter V16 Roadster reminds Cadillac Series 370 with its powerful 16-cylinder engine. Let's compare the game characteristics with real ones:
| Game model | Real prototype | Max. speed (game) | Max. speed (reality) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smith Thunderbolt | Chevrolet Corvette C1 (1953) | 210 km/h | 170 km/h |
| Lassiter V16 Roadster | Cadillac V-16 (1938) | 205 km/h | 160 km/h |
| Bolt Ace Coupe | Ford Coupe Hot Rod (1932) | 200 km/h | 140 km/h |
As can be seen from the table, the developers increased the characteristics for game balance. In reality, cars of that time rarely exceeded the 160 km/h mark due to limitations in aerodynamics and engine power. However, in Mafia II The physics are simplified, allowing you to enjoy arcade racing without the strict, realistic limitations.
Interesting fact: Shubert Blackhawk in the game is based on Packard Panther - a luxury sedan, which in reality developed just 130 km/h. But in the virtual world Empira Bay It has become one of the fastest cars, making it a great choice for those who love a combination of style and speed.
If you want to feel realism, try playing with the "Realistic Physics" mod. It reduces the maximum speed of cars to real values, but improves handling and damage physics.
Where to find the best cars: location map
To save time on searching, we have compiled map of the most valuable locations, where you can find top cars. Please note: some cars only appear at certain times of the day or after completing specific missions.
- 📍 Smith Thunderbolt (210 km/h): hotel parking
"Empire Arms"(Downtown), appears at night. - 📍 Lassiter V16 Roadster (205 km/h): in front of the mayor's house (
City Hall), in the morning. - 📍 Bolt Ace Custom (220 km/h): Falcone family garage (
Little Italy, backyard). - 📍 Shubert Frigate (215 km/h): pier in
Dockyard, after 18:00.
If you don't want to waste time searching, you can use cheat codes (for PC version). For example, to get Lassiter Series 69, enter in the console:
givecar lassiter_series_69
spawncar
But remember: using cheats disables achievements and can lead to bugs in story missions. If you play on consoles (PS3/Xbox 360), the only way to get rare cars is by searching the map or completing special tasks.
The best time to search for rare cars is at night (from 22:00 to 4:00). At this time, unique models appear on the streets that do not spawn during the day.
Racing tactics: how to win in any car
Even if you have the fastest car, you can lose the race due to control errors. Here are a few proven tacticsthat will help you become a champion Empira Bay:
- Use nitro correctly: in Mafia II acceleration (
Shifton PC) gives a short-term speed increase, but overheats the engine. Use it only on straight sections, not on corners. - Engine brake: Before turning, release the gas and shift to a lower gear (
Son PC). This will help avoid skidding. - Take the shortcut: Some races allow you to cut through yards or parking lots. For example, during the race
"Downtown Circuit"there is a passage through the alley behind the hotel. - Avoid collisions: even a light touch on the curb reduces the speed by 10-15 km/h. Stay in the center of the road.
If you are participating in street racing (for example, "King of the Hill"), pay attention to your opponents. AI in Mafia II often uses the same trajectories, so you can take over the leadknowing their route. For example, in a hill race, your opponents always slow down before the last turn - this is where you can overtake them.
For time trials (Time Trial) is best suited Smith Thunderbolt with full tuning. But if the route is winding, take Bolt Ace Custom — it holds the road better when cornering. But Lassiter V16 Roadster More suitable for long highway rides where stability at high speeds is important.
Before the race, save the game and reload it. Sometimes this clears traffic on the track, making it easier to overtake rivals.
Cheats and bugs: how to cheat the game physics
If you are tired of looking for cars or upgrading them honestly, you can use bugs and cheats. But remember: these may ruin your gaming experience, so use them at your own risk.
One of the most famous bugs is "endless nitro". To activate it you need:
- Get into any car with at least level 2 tuning.
- Press nitro (
Shift) and immediately get out of the car (F). - Quickly go back - the acceleration will work constantly.
Another useful bug is related to car jumping. If you accelerate to maximum speed and drive onto a curb at an angle, the car may fly into the air and fly several hundred meters. This helps as a shortcut in racing, but is fraught with an accident upon landing.
There are more advanced options for PC players. For example, using trainer (for example, Cheat Engine) you can change the following parameters:
- 🔹 Maximum speed (memory address:
0x12A4F8C) - 🔹 Acceleration (address:
0x12A4F90) - 🔹 Invulnerable to damage
⚠️ Attention: The use of trainers may lead to ban online (if you play multiplayer through mods) or to save crash. Before experimenting, make a backup copy of your save files in the following folder:
Documents\2K Games\Mafia II\SaveGamesFAQ: answers to frequently asked questions
Which car is the fastest in Mafia II after full tuning?
Lassiter Series 69 with the third level of tuning develops 299 km/h - this is an absolute record. However, it is difficult to control, so it is better suited for racing Smith Thunderbolt (273 km/h).
Is it possible to improve handling without losing speed?
Yes, if installed sports tires (option in tuning) and do not pump the engine above level 2. Reducing tire pressure will also help (in the physics settings, if you use mods).
Where can I find all the Playboy magazines for Lassiter Series 69?
A map of the location of magazines is on the website Mafia Wiki. The most difficult to find are in Chinatown (on the roof of the restaurant) and in Dockyard (in a container on the pier).
How to win The Frigate Challenge?
Use Bolt Ace Custom with level 2 tuning. The main secret is don't brake when turning, but let off the gas and steer smoothly. On the last lap, your opponents always slow down - here you can overtake them.
Do cheats work on consoles?
No, cheats via console commands are only available on PC. On PS3/Xbox 360 you can only use saving with already unlocked cars (download from forums).