Want to See Your Dream Car in GTA VI? The 2026 Car Render Challenge Is Calling for 3D Artists

Your dream GTA VI car starts here

What car would you like to see cruising through GTA VI? A heavily modified Nissan Skyline GT-R? A classic American muscle car? A Lamborghini built for the streets of Vice City? Or something completely original?

If you are a 3D artist, the 2026 GTA Car Render Challenge is an opportunity to bring that idea to life. Organised by 3DModels.org, the annual competition invites artists to build their own 3D car models and present them in imaginative, atmospheric scenes. Entries are open worldwide until December 1, 2026.

This is an independent fan-art competition inspired by GTA VI, not an official Rockstar Games event. Winning does not mean a car will appear in the game.

Build the car. Create the world.

Participants can draw inspiration from their favourite classics, custom builds, supercars and original concepts. The brief is not simply to model a vehicle, but to create a scene that gives it personality. A convincing street-racing garage, an eerie swamp road, a cinematic getaway or an entirely fictional setting could all provide a starting point. The organisers require original 3D car models and do not permit AI-generated entries. Artists should consult the official rules for full technical and submission requirements.

And give a Florida alligator a starring role

This year’s twist is a Florida alligator. As part of the “Make Gator a Star!” campaign, participants receive a rigged 3D alligator model that can be posed and animated. The idea is to make the gator a character in the scene, not an afterthought.

The organisers also hope the fan campaign will encourage Rockstar Games to give an alligator its own storyline. That ambition is separate from the competition itself.

Need inspiration?

Here is what previous artists created Previous Car Render Challenge entries show how much storytelling can fit into a single automotive image. The examples below are from earlier editions—not submissions to the 2026 GTA VI challenge.

A Hidden Treasure — Iasonas Raptopoulos

A Hidden Treasure — Iasonas Raptopoulos | Previous Car Render Challenge artwork

A forgotten automotive discovery becomes the subject of a carefully staged scene. It shows how a vehicle’s surroundings can create curiosity before a viewer even notices the technical rendering.

Edogawa Run — Swizprod

Edogawa Run — Swizprod | Previous Car Render Challenge artwork

Street culture and location provide the atmosphere. For this year’s challenge, a distinctive setting could make a familiar car feel like part of a game world.

The Mini Dream — Phil Derbyshire

The Mini Dream — Phil Derbyshire | Previous Car Render Challenge artwork

A compact classic becomes the centre of a playful visual idea. Scale, detail and a clear concept can be as effective as a hypercar.

Nostalgia — Ehsan Darvishi

Nostalgia — Ehsan Darvishi | Previous Car Render Challenge artwork

An evocative automotive scene shows how mood and memory can carry a render without relying on spectacle.

Trespass — Shangyu Wang

Trespass — Shangyu Wang | Previous Car Render Challenge artwork

An imaginative setting pushes automotive CGI beyond the conventional studio shot—an approach entrants can adapt to their own GTA-inspired story.

Prizes, categories and key dates The organisers say prizes are valued at more than $10,000, including software licences, subscriptions and rendering or store credits. Twenty companies from the 3D and game-asset industries support the event, including Evermotion, Marmoset, The Gnomon Workshop and Cascadeur. Awards are planned for the top three still renders, the best animation and additional sponsor-selected entries. Winners are scheduled to be announced on December 15, 2026. Submission deadline: December 1, 2026. Check the official competition page for eligibility, file requirements and the complete prize list.

Ready to enter?

Whether you work in automotive visualisation, study transportation design or simply enjoy creating 3D cars, the challenge offers a clear brief and a chance to showcase your work.

Pick the car you would want to drive in GTA VI, build a world around it, and find a memorable role for the alligator.

Official competition details and rules: https://3dmodels.org/gta-car-challenge/

Make Gator a Star petition: https://www.change.org/p/make-gator-a-star-give-the-gator-a-role-in-gta-vi-s-story

Previous competitions: https://3dmodels.org/3d-artist-competitions/

Check out the gallery featuring the winners of the Previous Car Render Challenge below.