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Which HSW cars are best for racing in GTA Online? There is no reliably sourced universal winner: Rockstar’s published material explains which races allow Hao’s Special Works upgrades, but does not provide current comparative lap times or a ranked list of the fastest cars. The practical choice depends on the race’s vehicle class, track layout and lobby settings—and whether your version of GTA Online supports HSW.
What HSW upgrades do—and where they’re available
Hao’s Special Works is an in-game performance upgrade service at the LS Car Meet, not a real-world tuning shop. Rockstar introduced it on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, then brought HSW to GTAV Enhanced on PC. Availability is edition-specific; do not assume it is supported in every version of GTA Online. Rockstar’s March 2022 announcement introduced HSW and its initial roster, while the PC Enhanced announcement describes the later PC availability.
The eligible vehicles are not a fixed, all-vehicle list. Rockstar’s July 2026 Title Update 1.73 notes name the Grotti Veleno GT as an HSW-upgrade vehicle for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and GTAV Enhanced. Rockstar’s announcements also show that HSW spans multiple vehicle classes, but those examples do not establish the complete current roster.
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Having an HSW-upgraded car does not guarantee that its upgrades will apply in every event. Rockstar’s Title Update 1.64 notes distinguish HSW-only races from races that include HSW-capable vehicles and let the lobby allow or disable HSW modifications. In HSW races, stock eligible vehicles can have the upgrades applied automatically.
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- HSW race: The event is limited to HSW vehicles; stock eligible cars may receive HSW upgrades automatically.
- Race with HSW-capable vehicles: Check the lobby settings to see whether HSW modifications are enabled.
- Other race: Do not count on HSW performance unless the event and lobby explicitly support it.
How to choose a car for racing
Because Rockstar does not publish a current head-to-head ranking, choose from the eligible cars for the event rather than relying on a blanket “fastest HSW car” claim. Use these factors to narrow the options:
- Race class and eligibility: First confirm the vehicle is allowed in the event and has HSW upgrades available on your edition.
- Track shape: A course with many tight corners rewards a car you can place and control; a course with long straights puts more emphasis on acceleration and top speed. This is a selection principle, not a Rockstar-tested ranking.
- Acceleration and top speed: Consider whether the route offers enough straight-line running for top speed to matter, or whether frequent turns and restarts make acceleration more useful.
- Handling and stability: A car that stays composed through corners may be easier to race consistently than one that is difficult to control. The official sources cited here do not give handling scores or track-specific results.
- Lobby rules: Confirm HSW modifications are enabled; otherwise, an upgrade-based comparison may not apply to that race.
What Rockstar’s performance claims establish
Rockstar has described HSW upgrades as offering “elite driving performance” and referred to “high-performance vehicles.” Its 2022 launch announcement listed five new vehicles and five existing vehicles for the initial roster; that is a launch figure, not the current eligible total. Neither those descriptions nor the later PC announcement supplies comparative lap times, measured acceleration, handling scores or a track-by-track winner. Rockstar’s PC Enhanced announcement includes examples of eligible vehicles, not a performance ranking.
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Check current offers before spending
HSW promotions can change. Rockstar’s GTA Online page carried a time-limited Penaud La Coureuse and HSW-upgrade offer associated with September 2026, but a dated promotion should not be treated as a standing benefit. Check the current GTA Online page for whatever offer is active when you play.
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