Hao's Special Works: HSW upgrades in GTA Online
Contents
What Hao’s Special Works is
Hao’s Special Works is a specialized auto shop in the world of GTA Online where owners of select vehicles can push a car’s performance to the edge of what it can do. Unlike a regular tune-up at Los Santos Customs, this is not about cosmetics — it is about maximum performance: after an HSW-level upgrade, a vehicle gains a noticeably different level of speed, handling, and acceleration compared to the standard version of the same model. The exact list of compatible vehicles, upgrade prices, and stat gains are deliberately not listed here, since that information changes regularly alongside game updates — check the shop itself in-game for current figures.
It is worth understanding that this is a separate program, not another tier of standard tuning. A vehicle first has to meet the shop’s requirements before its owner can even order an HSW-level upgrade, which makes the process a noticeably rarer milestone than a routine visit to Los Santos Customs.
Platforms: where an HSW-level upgrade is available
The defining feature of Hao’s Special Works is that an HSW-level upgrade is not available across the whole game at once — only on new-generation platforms. Players on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and the Enhanced edition on PC can use the shop’s full range of services. This follows the broader shift of GTA Online toward more powerful platforms: the shop itself arrived in the game in March 2022, alongside the launch of the new-generation console version, and has been tied to that technical tier from the start.
Owners of previous-generation console versions or the base PC edition will not see an HSW-level upgrade at all — they either need to move to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, or the Enhanced edition, or play without this feature. Anyone still deciding whether to make that move should first check which GTA V editions exist and under what terms a free GTA V upgrade to new-generation consoles is available — that directly determines whether HSW shows up in your copy of the game.
A separate HSW race series
Upgrading a car to HSW spec unlocks more than better stats — it also opens up a separate competitive mode, the HSW race series. This is a set of races built specifically for upgraded vehicles, where speed and handling decide the outcome far more than in ordinary street races around Los Santos.
Simply owning an upgraded car is not enough, though: before taking part in HSW races, a player must first complete Hao’s introductory time trial — a qualifying run that proves they are ready for the increased difficulty of these tracks. It works as a barrier to entry that filters out casual participants and keeps competition in the series relatively high.
How to launch HSW races
Once Hao’s introductory time trial is complete, HSW races become available in two ways. The first is through the LS Car Meet, the social hub for owners of modified vehicles, where this kind of racing fits naturally alongside the wider tuner community. The second is the Jobs section of the Pause Menu, which can launch almost any activity in the game, HSW races included, without physically entering the Car Meet.
Both routes lead to the exact same pool of races, so the choice between them comes down to convenience rather than access. Players who already spend time in the LS Car Meet for other activities may find it easier to start there, while those who just want to jump into a specific race quickly may prefer the Jobs menu.
A past promotion
In early 2026, Rockstar briefly ran a promotion offering quadrupled in-game currency and experience point payouts for HSW race series participation. That promotion has already ended and is no longer active, so players should not expect a similar reward multiplier during regular play — treat that episode as a one-time bonus from the past rather than an ongoing condition of the race series.
Why this matters for players
Hao’s Special Works is one of the few parts of GTA Online where progress is explicitly tied to the power of the platform a player is on. For those who have already moved to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, or play the Enhanced edition on PC, the shop adds a whole extra layer of competitive content on top of regular vehicle customization. For everyone else, it is a good reason to consider making that move: check the linked guides above for the full picture on editions and the free next-generation upgrade before deciding whether the switch is worth it.
Overall, an HSW-level upgrade is best treated as a longer-term goal rather than a one-off purchase: confirm your platform actually supports it, find a compatible vehicle, take it to Hao’s Special Works to have it upgraded, and only then confirm your readiness with Hao’s introductory time trial. Following that order avoids the frustration of hunting down a car or paying for an upgrade only to discover your version of the game does not support the feature at all.
Frequently asked questions
What is Hao's Special Works?
It is a specialized auto shop in GTA Online where owners of select vehicles can push their performance to the maximum — well beyond a regular Los Santos Customs tune-up.
Which platforms support an HSW-level upgrade?
Only PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and the Enhanced edition on PC. Previous-generation consoles and the base PC edition do not support it.
What does an HSW-level upgrade unlock besides better performance?
It unlocks access to a separate HSW race series — a set of races built specifically around upgraded vehicles.
Can I join HSW races right after upgrading my car?
No. You first need to complete Hao's introductory time trial, a qualifying run that opens up access to the series.
Where do I launch HSW races?
Through the LS Car Meet or the Jobs section of the Pause Menu — both routes lead to the same pool of races.
Are quadrupled rewards for HSW races still active?
No, that was a one-time promotion in early 2026 that has already ended. There is no such reward multiplier during regular play.