Hao's Special Works in GTA Online: The Ultimate Guide to HSW Upgrades, Cars, and Races

Hao's Special Works, or HSW, is the pinnacle of vehicle performance tuning in Grand Theft Auto Online. Now available on PC with the Enhanced Edition, this exclusive workshop inside the Los Santos Car Meet offers a tier of upgrades that leaves Los Santos Customs in the dust. HSW conversions unlock unique visual modifications and, more importantly, staggering boosts to top speed and acceleration that create a new meta for racing and free-roam dominance. If you want to own the fastest cars and bikes on the streets of Southern San Andreas, engaging with HSW isn't just an option—it's a necessity.

This is endgame content for serious gearheads. The upgrades are expensive, the vehicles are top-tier, and the performance gains redefine what you thought was possible in the game. From exclusive race events to lucrative time trials, the entire HSW ecosystem is designed for players who believe speed is everything.

01

What Exactly Is Hao's Special Works?tag

Hidden within the bustling, graffiti-covered walls of the LS Car Meet is Hao's personal workshop. This isn't your standard mod shop. HSW provides access to a proprietary suite of performance enhancements available for a select, and growing, roster of vehicles. These aren't just marginal stat increases; HSW upgrades can dramatically alter a vehicle's fundamental characteristics.

An HSW conversion includes access to brand-new engine tunes, transmissions, brakes, suspension, and turbo modifications that go far beyond standard 'Stage 4' upgrades. Visually, many vehicles also gain access to exclusive liveries, spoilers, and body kits that signify their elite status. The goal is simple: to take an already fast car and turn it into an almost uncontrollable land rocket, pushing it into a performance class of its own. This creates a clear division in the world of high-end vehicles: those with HSW upgrades, and everything else.

02

How Do You Unlock HSW?tag

Getting access to Hao's exclusive club requires proving your worth behind the wheel. The process is straightforward and introduces you to the blistering speed you'll soon be chasing. For new players jumping into the Enhanced Edition, the game provides a generous head start.

Step 1: Join the LS Car Meettag

First, you need to be a member of the LS Car Meet. Head to the location in Cypress Flats and purchase a membership for GTA$50,000. This grants you access to the entire underground car scene, including the Test Track, Mod Shop, and Merchandise Store. This is your new home base for all things automotive.

Step 2: Receive the Call from Haotag

Once you're a member and have spent some time in the Car Meet (or just roaming around Los Santos), you will receive a phone call from Hao. He’ll tell you he's been watching you and wants to see what you're made of. He'll challenge you to a time trial, lending you a specially modified HSW vehicle for the task.

Step 3: Beat Hao's Time Trialtag

Accept his challenge by heading to the HSW icon on your map. You'll be placed in a high-performance HSW-tuned car and tasked with beating his par time on a lengthy point-to-point route. The initial time to beat is typically around eight minutes. It's a generous target, designed more as an introduction to HSW's power than a hardcore challenge. Focus on clean lines and managing the vehicle's explosive acceleration. Once you beat his time, his workshop is officially open for business.

For players starting a new character on the Enhanced Edition, the path is even easier. The Career Builder provides enough cash to get started, and Hao will gift you a Karin S95 along with a free HSW performance conversion, giving you immediate access to a competitive vehicle.

03

Which Cars Are Eligible for HSW Upgrades?tag

Not every vehicle can receive the HSW treatment. Hao is selective, working only on a curated list of cars and motorcycles that have the potential for greatness. The initial conversion cost is steep—often exceeding GTA$500,000—and that's before you purchase the individual performance parts, which can push the total investment for a single car past GTA$2 million. The roster is a mix of new next-gen exclusives and classic fan-favorites, updated to compete at the highest level.

Here is the current list of all 20 vehicles eligible for HSW upgrades, broken down by class:

• Super: Coil Cyclone II, Grotti Itali GTO Stinger TT, Pegassi Weaponized Ignus, Principe Deveste Eight
• Sports: Benefactor Stirling GT, Grotti Brioso R/A, Karin S95, Pfister Astron Custom, Übermacht Sentinel XS
• Muscle: Bravado Buffalo EVX, Declasse Vigero ZX, Imponte Arbiter GT
• Coupe: Übermacht Zion Classic
• SUV: Benefactor XLS
• Off-Road: Grotti Brioso R/A (this vehicle is listed under Sports but has significant off-road capabilities), Nagasaki Shinobi
• Motorcycles: Nagasaki Shotaro, Pegassi Power Surge, Shitzu Hakuchou Drag, Western Reever

The most notable among these are often the new arrivals like the Coil Cyclone II, which boasts unparalleled acceleration, and the Shitzu Hakuchou Drag, a motorcycle that becomes almost unbeatable in a straight line after its HSW conversion.

04

Where Can You Test Your New Speed?tag

Owning a multi-million dollar HSW-tuned monster is one thing; proving its superiority is another. Hao's ecosystem includes exclusive events designed specifically for these upgraded vehicles, ensuring you're always competing on a level playing field against other HSW owners.

HSW Race Seriestag

The HSW Race Series is a collection of point-to-point and circuit races available only to drivers in HSW-eligible vehicles. These races feature custom routes that take advantage of the cars' extreme top speeds, with long straights and sweeping corners across locations like the Port of Los Santos, the San Chianski mountains, and the highways cutting through Vinewood. With support for up to eight players, these events are the definitive test of driver skill and tuning prowess in the new HSW meta.

HSW Time Trialstag

If you prefer a solo challenge, the weekly HSW Time Trial is your ticket. Every week, a new point-to-point course appears on the map, accessible only with an HSW-upgraded vehicle. The goal is to beat the par time. These are far more challenging than the introductory trial and demand near-perfect lines and mastery of your vehicle. The reward for success is substantial: a cool GTA$250,000 for your first completion each week. Furthermore, completing multiple time trials can unlock exclusive rewards, such as the coveted HSW Elite livery to show off your dedication to speed.

05

The New Top Tier of Performancetag

Ultimately, Hao's Special Works is more than just a mod shop; it's Rockstar's way of introducing a new 'god tier' of vehicle performance into GTA Online. It invigorates the car culture by giving veteran players a new, expensive, and powerful goal to chase. The cost is high, but the reward is undeniable: access to a level of speed that makes a standard supercar feel like a sedan. For anyone who lives for the thrill of the race or simply wants to have the undisputed king of the lobby, investing in HSW is the only path forward.