Mafia 2 - a cult game of 2010 from 2K Czech, which took players into the atmosphere of America of the 40-50s with its criminal surroundings, jazz and, of course, cars of that era. The cars in the game are not just vehicles, but full-fledged characters: from modest sedans to luxurious convertibles, each of which is recreated with love for detail. But how to make sense of this diversity? Where can I find rare models? Which cars are better for racing and which are better for style?
In this guide we have collected complete list of all Mafia 2 cars (including DLC), their technical characteristics, hidden locations and control life hacks. You will learn how to get Smith Thunderbolt - the fastest car in the game, where it is hidden Lassiter V16 Roadster (analogue Cadillac V16), and why Bolt Ace so loved by drag racers. We’ll also compare virtual models with their real prototypes and reveal the secrets of the game’s physics that will help you win any race.
Full list of Mafia 2 cars: categories and features
B Mafia 2 presented more than 50 unique car models, divided into classes. Each class has its pros and cons - from speed to handling. Here are the main categories:
- 🚗 Sedans and coupes - the most common machines (for example, Smith Thunderbolt, Bolt Ace). Suitable for everyday travel and missions.
- 🏎️ Sports and racing - high-speed models for racing (for example, Lassiter V16 Roadster, Shubert Blackhawk).
- 🚙 SUVs and trucks - strong but slow (for example, Potomac Judge, Bolt Truck). Useful for off-road use.
- 🚕 Taxi and service - machines with unique functions (for example, Yellow Cab can pick up passengers).
- 💎 Retro and collectible - rare models to look for (for example, Shubert Frigate, Lassiter Series 75).
Feature of the game - realistic physics: Cars behave differently on wet roads, during sharp turns or collisions. For example, Bolt Ace easily goes into a skid, and Smith Thunderbolt more stable, but requires careful braking. Also in the game there is hidden “wear and tear” parameter: the longer you drive the car without repair, the worse it handles.
Top 5 best cars in Mafia 2: characteristics and where to find them
Not all cars in the game are equally useful. Here rating of the best cars in terms of speed, controllability and availability:
| Model | Max. speed (km/h) | Acceleration (0-100 km/h) | Handling (1-10) | Where to find |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smith Thunderbolt | 210 | 5.2 sec | 9 | Purchased at West Auto Show after chapter 7 |
| Lassiter V16 Roadster | 205 | 5.5 sec | 8 | Hidden in a garage nearby Vito's house (DLC "Jimmy’s Vendetta") |
| Shubert Blackhawk | 200 | 5.8 sec | 7 | Found on the streets Empire Bay (rarely) |
| Bolt Ace Coupe | 195 | 6.0 sec | 6 | Purchased at Derek's car dealership (DLC "Joe’s Adventures") |
| Potomac Judge | 160 | 8.5 sec | 10 | Worth Police station (can be stolen) |
Smith Thunderbolt — the undisputed leader in the ratio of speed and controllability. It can only be purchased after completing Chapter 7, but it is worth the money. Lassiter V16 Roadster - the rarest car in the game, it can only be obtained in DLC "Jimmy’s Vendetta" or through cheats. A Potomac Judge, despite the low speed, is indispensable for off-road use due to its high ground clearance.
⚠️ Attention: If you want to keep a rare car (for example, Lassiter V16), immediately take it to Vito’s garage. There is a bug in the game: if you leave the car on the street for too long, it may disappear after rebooting.
Real prototypes of Mafia 2 cars: comparison with history
Developers Mafia 2 were inspired by real cars of the 40s and 50s, but renamed them due to licensing restrictions. Here are the most interesting coincidences:
- 🚘 Smith Thunderbolt = Ford Thunderbird (1955) - an iconic American sports car with a V8.
- 💎 Lassiter V16 Roadster = Cadillac Series 370 (1930s) - a luxury convertible with a 16-cylinder engine.
- 🚗 Bolt Ace Coupe = Chevrolet Bel Air (1950s) - a classic American sedan.
- 🚙 Potomac Judge = Willys Jeep (1940s) - a legendary wartime SUV.
- 🚕 Yellow Cab = Checker Cab (1950s) - the famous New York taxi.
Interesting fact: Smith Thunderbolt in the game has 5.0 l V8 engine, which fully corresponds to the real 1955 Ford Thunderbird. But Lassiter V16 Roadster - this is a tribute Cadillac V16, which was one of the most expensive cars of its time (its price in the 1930s exceeded $10,000 - a fortune at that time!).
Why are there no German cars in Mafia 2?
The game does not feature German brands (such as Mercedes or BMW) due to the historical context: the action takes place in 1945-1951, shortly after World War II. In the USA at that time, German cars were extremely unpopular, so the developers decided not to include them.
How to steal and keep rare cars: step-by-step instructions
Some cars in Mafia 2 you can only steal them - they cannot be bought in showrooms. Here algorithm of actionsto get a rare car:
Find the car on the street or in a hidden location (the coordinates of some models are given below).
Go to the car and click
E(PC) or△(PS) /Y(Xbox) to get behind the wheel.If the machine is locked, use master key (present in Vito's inventory from Chapter 3).
Take the car to Vito's garage (address:
12 Salem St, Empire Bay).Get out of the car and save the game - it's now yours!
The most valuable cars for theft:
- 🔥 Lassiter V16 Roadster — stands in the garage next to Vito’s house (DLC “Jimmy’s Vendetta”).
- 🚔 Shubert Ambassador - can be stolen from a mafioso during a mission
"The Buzzsaw". - 💰 Bolt Ace Coupe (gold) - appears randomly on the streets
Downtown.
Check if anyone was in the way when parking|Reload your last save|Try to find the same model on the street and steal it again|Make sure the garage is not full (max 5 cars)-->
⚠️ Attention: If you steal a car during a mission, it may disappear after completing it. To avoid this, immediately take the stolen car to Vito's garage and save.
Tuning and modifications: how to improve your car in Mafia 2
Unlike Mafia: Definitive Edition, in Mafia 2 there is no full tuning, but there is ways to improve car performance:
- 🔧 Repair in the garage - Restores damage and slightly improves handling. Cost:
$50-$200. - 🛠️ Painting — changes the color of the car (available in
West Auto Show). - 🚀 Cheats (PC only) — using console commands you can increase speed or strength. For example:
setcarhealth 1000makes the car invulnerable.
- 🎯 Tire selection - in DLC "Joe’s Adventures" You can install studded tires for better grip.
The easiest way to improve a car is repair it regularly. After every major damage (such as a high-speed collision), go to Vito's garage and pay for repairs. This will not only restore the appearance, but also will increase the maximum speed by 5-10% due to the “hidden wear parameter”.
If you want the fastest car to race, steal Smith Thunderbolt and immediately take it to the garage. Then use the cheat setcarspeed 250 (PC only) - This will increase the maximum speed to 250 km/h.
Racing and drag racing: how to win in any car
B Mafia 2 yes illegal racing, which can be found on the map (marked with 🏁). To win, it's not enough to have a fast car - you need to know control chips:
- 🔄 Drift - press
Handbrake (Space)before turning so as not to lose speed. - 🚦 Overtaking at the start - in drag racing, hold
Gas + Brakebefore starting to “warm up” the engine. - 💨 Draft — ride close behind the leader to reduce air resistance.
- 🛑 Engine braking — before turning, release the gas and switch to a lower gear.
Best cars for racing:
| Race type | Recommended machine | Tactics |
|---|---|---|
| Drag racing | Bolt Ace Coupe | Use a warm-up at the start and shift gears at maximum speed. |
| Circuit racing | Smith Thunderbolt | Drift around corners and stay on the inside. |
| Off-road | Potomac Judge | Avoid hard braking - this car doesn't brake well on gravel. |
If you lose the race Smith Thunderbolt, try disable traffic via cheats:
trafic 0This will remove obstacles on the track and give you an advantage.
The most difficult race in the game is "King of the Hill" in the Jimmy's Vendetta DLC. To win you need Lassiter V16 Roadster with maximum repairs and perfect drift skills.
Secrets and bugs with cars that you didn't know about
Mafia 2 full of hidden features and bugs related to cars. Here are the most interesting ones:
- 👻 Ghost car - if you leave the car on the railway tracks and go far away, it will disappear, but when you return it will appear again (sometimes in the air!).
- 💥 Engine explosion - If you drive at high speeds for too long, the car may catch fire. This is not a bug, but a feature - this is how overheating is simulated in the game.
- 🔄 Endless repair — if you drive into Vito’s garage and immediately leave, the car will be repaired for free (does not work in all versions of the game).
- 🚗 Invisible machine - on mission
"The Wild Ones"you can get into a car that will become invisible to the police.
And also in the game there is hidden ghost car — Shubert Frigate (black). She only appears at night in the cemetery Saint Marks and disappears if you approach it. This bug is related to underloaded textures, but it looks like a real ghost!
How to get all the cars in the garage?
If you play on PC, use a cheat addallcars. This will add all models to Vito's garage, including those that cannot be purchased. But be careful: after this some missions may not work correctly!
FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions about cars in Mafia 2
How to open all the cars in the car dealership?
Most cars become available for purchase as you progress through the story. For example, Smith Thunderbolt can only be purchased after chapter 7. To unlock all cars at once, use the mod "Unlock All Cars" (available on Nexus Mods).
Where can I find Lassiter V16 Roadster without DLC?
No DLC "Jimmy’s Vendetta" this car can only be obtained through cheats or found in street parking lots (very low chance, about 1%). Most often it appears in the area Downtown at night.
Why did my car disappear from the garage?
This is a known bug. Reasons:
- The garage is full (maximum 5 cars).
- The car was stolen during the mission and was not saved.
- The game did not save progress due to a glitch.
Solution: Check the streets - sometimes the car stays where you left it.
Which car is the most durable?
Leading in damage resistance Potomac Judge (SUV) and Bolt Truck (truck). They can withstand up to 5-6 serious collisions without critical damage. But Lassiter V16 Roadster - the most fragile: one strong blow is enough for it to catch fire.
Is it possible to sell cars in Mafia 2?
No, the game does not have a mechanic for selling cars. The only way to get rid of an unwanted car is to leave it on the street (it will disappear over time) or blow it up.