Hao’s Special Works (HSW) in GTA Online: what it is, which platforms have it, how to unlock Hao’s workshop, the full list of 31 HSW vehicles with conversion prices and speed tests, and what to buy.
What HSW is in GTA Online
Data checked on November 6, 2026, after update 1.73.
Hao’s Special Works is Hao’s workshop inside the LS Car Meet in Cypress Flats (Los Santos). Rockstar describes its upgrades as “best-in-class”: HSW engine, transmission, turbo, brakes and suspension, with separate HSW modes for electric cars. Cars also get carbon parts and a signature livery, and a second bar appears on the acceleration stat in the menu.
HSW arrived on March 15, 2022, together with the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S version of GTA V and GTA Online. Besides tuning, Hao runs HSW Races, weekly HSW Time Trials and the Premium Test Ride.
Which platforms have HSW
| Platform | HSW |
|---|---|
| PS5 | yes, since Mar 15, 2022 |
| Xbox Series X|S | yes, since Mar 15, 2022 |
| PC Enhanced | yes, since Mar 4, 2025 |
| PS4, Xbox One | no |
| PC Legacy | no |
HSW came to PC with the free GTA V Enhanced update on March 4, 2025. Individual car pages on GTABase still say “PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only”, which is outdated text. For other differences between versions of the game, see which platform to play GTA Online on.
How to unlock Hao’s workshop
- Wait for a call from Hao and drive to his garage.
- Complete a Time Trial in Hao’s HSW car. His time is 8:10.00, and guides consider the run easy. According to Sportskeeda, since the Los Santos Drug Wars update (December 2022) the intro race can be skipped.
- Buy an LS Car Meet membership from Mimi for GTA$50,000.
After that, the LS Car Meet tuning area becomes Hao’s workshop. To convert a car, drive a personal vehicle into the LS Car Meet, open the Vehicle Menu and choose HSW Performance Upgrade. It’s a separate one-off fee, like Benny’s conversions.
According to GTA Boom, if you beat Hao’s time in the intro Time Trial, you get one conversion free. GTA+ members can also convert cars in the Vinewood Car Club garage and in a mansion with a Vehicle Workshop.
Players who transferred a character from PS4 or Xbox One got a free Karin S95. The HSW Elite livery, according to the player wiki, is awarded for completing all eight HSW Time Trials.
Where an HSW car gives you an edge
HSW upgrades work in Freemode, in HSW Time Trials, in the Hao’s Special Works Race Series and in races that allow HSW cars. The race host can turn HSW off in the lobby before the start (GTABase, Rockstar patch notes as reported by Sportskeeda). The claim in older guides that HSW doesn’t work in standard races is out of date.
- HSW Race Series: 20 Rockstar tracks for HSW cars only, 14 from March 2022 and 6 more from The Criminal Enterprises update (GTA Wiki, GTA Boom).
- HSW Race Creator arrived in title update 1.64 (December 2022): you can build your own track or convert an existing race into an HSW race (GTA Boom, Sportskeeda).
- HSW Time Trials: eight tracks, one per week. According to GTA Boom, cars are split into groups A, B and C with different par times.
You can find out how much HSW adds to a specific model for free: Hao offers an HSW Premium Test Ride every week. The test cars change every Thursday; the current list is in the weekly update.
Full list of HSW cars: prices and speeds
| # | Car | Class | Car price, GTA$ | HSW conversion, GTA$ | Top speed, mph (standard → HSW) | Gain, mph | HSW lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bravado Banshee GTS | Sports | 1,989,500 | 1,900,000 | 138 → 172.5 | +34.5 | 0:57.574 |
| 2 | Grotti Itali GTO Stinger TT | Sports | 2,380,000 | 1,418,000 | 132 → 168.5 | +36.5 | 0:59.292 |
| 3 | Declasse Tampa GT | Muscle | from ~1.3M* | 1,400,000 | 130.5 → 166 | +35.5 | 1:07.451 |
| 4 | Grotti Veleno GT | Super | 3,090,000 | 1,795,500 | 138.75 → 164 | +25.25 | 0:56.190 |
| 5 | Übermacht Niobe | Sports | 1,880,000 | 1,800,000 | 127.25 → 159.5 | +32.25 | 0:55.389 |
| 6 | Declasse Vigero ZX | Muscle | 1,947,000 | 550,000* | 125 → 158 | +33 | 1:02.062 |
| 7 | Declasse Vigero ZX Convertible | Muscle | 2,295,000 | 550,000 | 125 → 158 | +33 | 1:02.079 |
| 8 | Shitzu Hakuchou Drag (motorcycle) | Motorcycles | 976,000 | 1,450,000 | 126.5 → 157.5 | +31 | 0:52.736 |
| 9 | Karin S95 | Sports | 1,995,000 | 525,000 | 116.25 → 156.5 | +40.25 | 0:59.559 |
| 10 | Benefactor Stirling GT | Sports Classics | 975,000 (not currently sold) | 900,000* | 113 → 156.25 | +43.25 | 1:00.627 |
| 11 | Vapid FMJ MK V | Super | 2,965,000 | 1,950,000 | 133.5 → 155.75 | +22.25 | 0:54.704 |
| 12 | Bravado Banshee | Sports | 105,000 (convertible 126,000) | 1,840,000 | 118.5 → 152.75 | +34.25 | 1:00.677 |
| 13 | Grotti Turismo Classic | Sports Classics | 705,000 | 897,000 | 121 → 151.5 | +30.5 | 0:59.960 |
| 14 | Överflöd Entity MT | Super | 2,355,000 | 850,000 | 131.25 → 151.25 | +20 | 1:00.494 |
| 15 | Principe Deveste Eight | Super | 1,795,000 | 1,110,000 | 131.25 → 151 | +19.75 | 0:58.209 |
| 16 | Pfister Astrale | Sports Classics | 1,475,500 | 950,000 | 126 → 148.5 | +22.5 | 1:00.294 |
| 17 | Pegassi Weaponized Ignus | Super | 4,500,000 (Warstock) | 500,000 | 125 → 145 | +20 | 0:55.222 |
| 18 | Bravado Buffalo EVX | Muscle | 2,140,000 | 1,415,000 | 119 → 144.75 | +25.75 | 1:02.546 |
| 19 | Penaud La Coureuse | Sports | 1,990,000 | 818,000 | 114.5 → 142.5 | +28 | 0:56.139 |
| 20 | Imponte Arbiter GT | Muscle | 1,580,000 | 375,000 | 111.5 → 142 | +30.5 | 1:05.399 |
| 21 | Coil Cyclone II | Super | 2,250,000 | 475,000 | 119.25 → 141 | +21.75 | 0:55.823 |
| 22 | Vapid Firebolt ASP | Off-Road | 1,894,500 | 1,500,000 | 113.5 → 139.25 | +25.75 | 1:00.828 |
| 23 | Weeny Issi Rally | SUV | 1,835,000 | 650,000 | 117 → 138.5 | +21.5 | 1:05.749 |
| 24 | Übermacht Sentinel XS | Coupes | 60,000 | 1,374,000 | 116 → 136.5 | +20.5 | 1:05.478 |
| 25 | Karin Woodlander | SUV | 1,611,000 | 900,000 | 112.5 → 136.5 | +24 | 1:03.913 |
| 26 | Pfister Astron Custom | SUV | 1,720,000 | 395,000 | 119 → 136.25 | +17.25 | 1:03.797 |
| 27 | Maibatsu MonstroCiti | Off-Road | 1,485,000 | 1,109,000 | 109.75 → 135.75 | +26 | 1:00.327 |
| 28 | Grotti Brioso R/A | Compacts | 155,000 | 1,097,500 | 103.75 → 132.5 | +28.75 | 1:05.383 |
| 29 | Annis Euros X32 | Coupes | 1,499,000 | 1,200,000 | 113 → 131 | +18 | 1:03.496 |
| 30 | Karin Vivanite | SUV | from ~1M* | 800,000 | 105.5 → 128 | +22.5 | 1:03.714 |
| 31 | Pegassi Horus | Super | 2,810,000 | 1,750,000 | not tested | — | — |
Speeds and laps are Broughy1322’s tests with fully upgraded cars (GTA Boss, Oct 16, 2026; GTABase, November 2026, with HSW speeds matching to within 0.25 mph). Prices come from guides and the player wiki.
* Where sources disagree: the Vigero ZX conversion is 550,000 now versus 385,000 in GamesRadar in 2023, and the Stirling GT is 900,000 versus 855,000. The Tampa GT base price is given as 1,311,000 or 1,380,000, and the Vivanite as 960,000 or 1,605,000, probably because of regular versus trade price. One old guide lists the Banshee GTS conversion as 855,000, but the same guide has a speed error, so we use 1,900,000.
The fastest HSW cars
| # | By top speed | mph | km/h | By lap time | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Banshee GTS | 172.5 | 277.6 | FMJ MK V | 0:54.704 |
| 2 | Itali GTO Stinger TT | 168.5 | 271.2 | Weaponized Ignus | 0:55.222 |
| 3 | Tampa GT | 166 | 267.2 | Niobe | 0:55.389 |
| 4 | Veleno GT | 164 | 263.9 | Cyclone II | 0:55.823 |
| 5 | Niobe | 159.5 | 256.7 | La Coureuse | 0:56.139 |
The Banshee GTS with HSW is the fastest car in all of GTA Online. Without HSW it’s third (138 mph), and the fastest standard car is the Cartuccia GT, which has no HSW version; the ranking without HSW is on the fastest cars in GTA Online page.
The Hakuchou Drag bike with HSW laps in 0:52.736, faster than any car, and does 157.5 mph on the straight.
How many HSW cars: 31, not 19 or 25
Articles quote 19, 20 and 25. Those are old snapshots of the list from 2023–2025, when cars were still being added. Rockstar doesn’t publish an official list, so we count by dated sources:
| Date | How many | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 15, 2022 | about 10 cars (“5 new and 5 existing”) | Rockstar Newswire |
| Jul 21, 2026 | 29 (28 cars + Hakuchou Drag), before the Veleno GT | player wiki |
| Oct 16, 2026 | 31 (30 cars + a motorcycle), with the Veleno GT and Horus | GTA Boss |
| November 2026 | 30 entries including the motorcycle, without the Horus | GTABase |
Bottom line: as of November 6, 2026, 31 vehicles have the HSW upgrade: 30 cars and 1 motorcycle. The latest additions are the Veleno GT (July 14) and the Pegassi Horus (September 10, 2026).
Which HSW car to buy
| Goal | Car | Car + conversion, GTA$ |
|---|---|---|
| Top speed | Bravado Banshee GTS | 1,989,500 + 1,900,000 = 3,889,500 |
| Best lap | Vapid FMJ MK V | 2,965,000 + 1,950,000 = 4,915,000 |
| Cheaper for racing | Coil Cyclone II | 2,250,000 + 475,000 = 2,725,000 |
| Cheap conversion | Imponte Arbiter GT | 1,580,000 + 375,000 = 1,955,000 |
Best-value conversions: GTA$ per 1 mph gained
| Car | Conversion, GTA$ | Gain, mph | GTA$ per 1 mph |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imponte Arbiter GT | 375,000 | +30.5 | ≈12,300 |
| Karin S95 | 525,000 | +40.25 | ≈13,000 |
| Declasse Vigero ZX | 550,000* | +33 | ≈16,700 |
| Benefactor Stirling GT | 900,000* | +43.25 | ≈20,800 |
| Coil Cyclone II | 475,000 | +21.75 | ≈21,800 |
Our calculation from the table above: conversion price divided by the speed gain (the metric idea comes from GTA Boss). The most expensive gain is the FMJ MK V (≈87,600 per mph), but it wins on lap time, not on the straight. * Sources give different conversion prices; see the note under the full list.
Better not buy the Pegassi Horus (2,810,000 + 1,750,000) “for speed” yet: neither the standard nor the HSW version has been tested. The Weaponized Ignus has a cheap conversion (500,000), but the car itself costs 4,500,000. For the money, see the guide how to make money in GTA Online; other vehicles are in the GTA Online cars section.
FAQ: HSW in GTA Online
What races are there for HSW cars in GTA Online?
The Hao’s Special Works Race Series (20 tracks), the weekly HSW Time Trial and your own tracks from the HSW Race Creator. HSW cars also race in standard races where they’re allowed.
Is HSW available on PS4 and PC Legacy?
No. HSW only works on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC Enhanced (since March 4, 2025). PS4, Xbox One and PC Legacy don’t have it.
How do you unlock Hao’s Special Works?
Complete a Time Trial in Hao’s car (his time is 8:10.00) and buy an LS Car Meet membership from Mimi for GTA$50,000. After that you can order a conversion from the vehicle menu at the LS Car Meet.
Which HSW conversion is the best value?
By price per 1 mph gained: the Imponte Arbiter GT (≈12,300) and the Karin S95 (≈13,000). For maximum top speed you still need the Banshee GTS.
Can you try an HSW car for free?
Yes, with the HSW Premium Test Ride at the LS Car Meet. The test car changes every Thursday.
Does HSW work in regular races in GTA Online?
Yes, in races that allow HSW cars, unless the host turns HSW off in the lobby (GTABase, Rockstar patch notes as reported by Sportskeeda). There are also the separate HSW Races series and HSW Time Trials.
Sources
- Official: Rockstar Games, Rockstar Newswire, Rockstar Support, Take-Two Interactive
- Databases and guides: GTABase, GTA Wiki, GTA BOOM, PowerPyx
- Press: GamesRadar, PC Gamer, IGN, VGC, Game Informer
Every fact is checked against official sources or at least two independent ones; player-sourced data is labelled in the text. Images are official Rockstar Games material. GTA Top is not affiliated with Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive.