The GTA Online Chop Shop update has arrived, and we now have an official name for the December 2023 update. There are some big changes introduced including a fresh criminal enterprise to work through complete with vehicle robberies, a new type of race series, and plenty of rides to choose from. There are also some quality of life improvements in general for GTA Online, including a streamlined Interaction Menu, and even some small gifts in the form of outfits that are awarded retroactively for your character's birthdays. If you want all of the details, then here's everything new in the GTA Online Chop Shop update.
A new Salvage Yard business is available
The headline addition for the Chop Shop update is a new GTA Online Salvage Yard business, which is "fueled by audacious Vehicle Robberies" to provide another stream of illicit income. Under the cover of the Red's Auto Parts property you'll be stealing, stripping down, and selling some of the hottest vehicles in the city, at the behest of real-estate developer Yusuf Amir from The Ballad of Gay Tony. You'll get to make the calls on what gets sold on to Yusuf, or salvaged for parts to boost your take. Invest in a Tow Truck, and you can also head out on recovery jobs to increase your income from salvaged parts.
A fresh Drift Races Series slides in
The GTA Online Chop Shop update has introduced a new way to race, thanks to the drifting modifications that are now available for select vehicles, and by using these drivers can slide their way sideways around a series of new circuits in the Drift Races Series. On top of that, certain rides can also be fitted with drift tuning modification at the LS Car Meet, so you can show off your drifting skills in Freemode as well.
There are new vehicles to pick up
As always with a significant update, there are plenty of GTA Online new cars to pick up, and although some will be released by drip-feed over the course of the update there is already a decent selection to choose from at launch. These include the Dominator GT, Impaler LX, and the GTA Online Grotti Turismo Omaggio (pictured), which had already been revealed following the community's successful completion of the Simeon's Employee of the Month Challenge in November, and this comes with a special livery. Following successful completion of the Collective Sprunk & eCola Challenge, custom Sprunk and eCola vanity license plates are also available for players to add to their vehicles.
You can finally own police vehicles
After being teased by leaked files way back in 2020, it's finally possible to legitimately own police vehicles and store them at your properties. Initially there's a Police Riot truck, an Unmarked Cruiser, and the Stanier LE GTA Online Police Cruiser to choose from, though each requires you to complete specific tasks to unlock them for purchase and access their trade price. For the Cruiser, you'll need to find one of the GTA Online Crime Scene locations and recover a piece of evidence to get the trade price reduction on the cop car.
There are more improvements for vehicles
In other vehicle news, players on PS5 and Xbox Series can now manage their collections through the Interaction Menu, and easily move them between garages without any manual relocation required. GTA+ members also have access to The Vinewood Club Garage, providing storage capacity for an additional 100 vehicles.
Perhaps most importantly for a large group of players, the expanded Specification Service at the LS Car Meet means that those on PS4, Xbox One, and PC are now able to purchase copies of other players' Personal Vehicles. This provides another route to obtain cars removed from GTA Online if you can find an existing owner willing to sell you a copy, which was a service previously restricted to PS5 and Xbox Series only.
You can add the Battle Rifle to your arsenal
If you want to add a new precision shooter to your arsenal, then you can new get your hands on the GTA Online Battle Rifle. You won't find this on the shelves at Ammu-Nation, so instead you'll need to track down the GTA Online Gun Van to make an illicit purchase, or visit the Armory within your Agency business.
Wildlife has arriving in Freemode
Following the GTA Online Chop Shop update, you'll be able to encounter wildlife in Freemode for the first time, though only if you're playing on PS5 or Xbox Series. Previously animals were only seen by consuming GTA Online peyote plants during the limited periods they're available each year, but now you'll spot them roaming free all over Southern San Andreas.
Festive Surprises are on the way
Finally, the GTA Online Chop Shop update also teases that festive surprises are on the way, including "all-new holiday modes" and other treats. This will no doubt include the annual tradition of snow in GTA Online to transform the landscape into a Winter wonderland, along with festive outfits and maybe even collectibles to see us through the holiday season.
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