Hao’s Special Works (HSW) is available at the Los Santos Car Meet on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC running Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced. On PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, Rockstar says Hao’s Intro Race is no longer required to access HSW upgrades. If the service is still locked, take Hao’s phone call and complete the HSW time trial in an HSW-modified vehicle, beating its par time.
Check that you’re playing a supported edition
HSW is documented for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and the Enhanced edition of Grand Theft Auto V on PC. Rockstar announced HSW for PC Enhanced as part of its PC Enhanced announcement, and distinguishes Enhanced from Legacy in its PC pre-load announcement. If you play on PC, confirm that you launched Enhanced rather than Legacy; the cited HSW documentation does not establish HSW availability in Legacy.
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Grand Theft Auto V: Premium Edition (Xbox One) | $23.50 | Buy on Amazon |
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IRIPLEZO Grand Theft Auto V | $24.32 | Buy on Amazon |
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Grand Theft Auto V - PlayStation 4 (Renewed) | $16.08 | Buy on Amazon |
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Grand Theft Auto V - Xbox 360 | $31.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Grand Theft Auto V | $29.27 | Buy on Amazon |
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Unlock HSW if it is not available
- Check the service at the LS Car Meet. HSW is a vehicle upgrade service inside the Los Santos Car Meet. On PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, Rockstar’s Title Update 1.64 notes say players no longer need to complete Hao’s Intro Race to access HSW upgrades and mods. The exemption is stated for those consoles only: Rockstar’s Title Update 1.64 notes.
- If HSW remains locked, take Hao’s call. Xbox Wire’s November 11, 2025 guide describes the usual route as answering Hao’s phone call and following the HSW time-trial prompt: Xbox Wire’s guide.
- Complete the HSW time trial in an HSW-modified vehicle. Beat the par time. Xbox Wire identifies this as the step that makes Hao’s shop available.
- Return to Hao at the LS Car Meet. Bring an eligible vehicle and check the in-game HSW service to confirm that model can receive upgrades.
How the Intro Race and time trial fit together
There is a specific platform qualification: Rockstar’s Title Update 1.64 notes exempt PS5 and Xbox Series X|S players from completing Hao’s Intro Race to access HSW, while Xbox Wire’s later guide describes taking Hao’s call and beating the HSW time trial as the usual unlock route. The sources do not explain whether these are separate steps or how the console exemption relates to the time trial. Do not treat the Intro Race as universally mandatory on those consoles; use the call-and-time-trial route if the service remains inaccessible. Rockstar’s cited exemption does not say whether it applies to PC Enhanced.
What you can do at Hao’s Special Works
HSW applies special performance upgrades to selected vehicles, not every car. Rockstar describes the service as a way to improve eligible vehicles; Xbox Wire also notes new acceleration and Chameleon Paint. Check the vehicle list at Hao’s in-game service before choosing a car or planning an upgrade. HSW races are documented for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC Enhanced.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Used Book in Good Condition
Rank #4
- The biggest, most Dynamic and most diverse open world ever created and now packed with layers of new detail
- Grand Theft Auto V blends storytelling and gameplay in new ways as players repeatedly jump in and out of the lives of the game's three lead characters, playing all sides of the game's interwoven story
- Grand Theft Auto V also comes with Grand Theft Auto Online, the Dynamic and ever evolving Grand Theft Auto universe for multiple players
Rank #3
- Grand Theft Auto V blends storytelling and gameplay in new ways as players repeatedly jump in and out of the lives of the game's three lead characters, playing all sides of the game's interwoven story.;Number of Players: Multiplayer; ESRB Content: Blood and gore|Intense violence|Mature humor|Nudity|Strong language|Strong sexual content|Use of drugs and alcohol; Genre: Action and Adventure
Rank #2
- STUNNING VISUALS — Enhanced levels of fidelity and performance with new graphics modes featuring up to 4K resolution, up to 60 frames per second, HDR options, ray tracing, improved texture quality, and more
- FASTER LOADING — Quicker access to the action as the world of Los Santos and Blaine County load in faster than ever before.
- ADAPTIVE TRIGGERS AND HAPTIC FEEDBACK — Feel every moment through the DualSense controller, from directional damage to weather effects, rough road surfaces to explosions, and more.
- TEMPEST 3D AUDIO — Hear the sounds of the world with pinpoint precision: the throttle of a stolen supercar, the rattle of neighbouring gunfire, the roar of a helicopter overhead, and more.
- Please note that although this game is Region Free or Region Unlocked and will work on all systems, this is the European version and may differ from the local version in age rating, labeling or instructions.
#1 Best Overall
- Includes the complete grand Theft Auto V story experience
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