So you want to go fast. Not "I’m late for a heist" fast, but the kind of speed that makes the Los Santos freeway look like a blurry smear of neon and regret. If you’ve spent any time in a public lobby lately, you’ve probably noticed that the meta for the fastest cars in gta has basically been set on fire and rebuilt from the ground up.
Everything changed once Hao’s Special Works (HSW) became a thing. Honestly, if you’re playing on a PC or an old PS4, you’re playing a different game entirely. The speed gap between a "normal" supercar and an HSW-tuned monster is now so wide you could park a Kosatka in it. But speed isn't just about the number on the speedometer—it’s about whether you can actually make a turn without ending up at the bottom of the Alamo Sea.
The Absolute Speed Kings (HSW Edition)
If you are on PS5 or Xbox Series X|S, don't even bother looking at the old lists. The Bravado Banshee GTS is the king right now. It hits a staggering 172.50 mph. To put that in perspective, that is faster than the Sparrow helicopter. You’re literally outrunning aircraft on four wheels. It’s based on the Dodge Viper GTS, and it feels like it. It’s tail-happy. You’ll spend half your time fighting the back end if you’re not careful, but on a straightaway? Nothing touches it.
Then you’ve got the Grotti Itali GTO Stinger TT. This thing is a beast. It’s based on the Ferrari Roma and hits about 168 mph with the HSW kit. It’s expensive—we’re talking over $3.7 million once you factor in the car and the upgrades. But it can take Imani Tech. That means you can slap a missile lock-on jammer on it. Being the fastest person in the lobby is great, but being the fastest person who can’t be locked onto is even better.
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Wait, there's more. The Übermacht Niobe has recently climbed the ranks. It looks like a BMW i8 but drives like a rocket. While it doesn't quite hit the top speed of the Banshee, its handling is way more forgiving. Most people find they actually get from point A to point B faster in the Niobe because they aren't spinning out every three seconds.
The Best of the Rest: No HSW Required
I know, I know. Not everyone is on a next-gen console. Or maybe you just want to race in standard classes where HSW is disabled. In that world, the leaderboard looks a lot weirder.
Would you believe me if I told you a Beetle is one of the fastest cars in the game? It sounds like a joke, but the BF Weevil Custom is the real deal. It’s a Benny’s upgrade, and it clocks in at 137.50 mph. It’s faster than the Ocelot Pariah, which held the crown for years at 136 mph. The Weevil is a literal "rat rod" that defies physics. It’s cheap, too—under a million bucks.
If you want something that actually looks like a supercar, the Grotti Itali RSX is still the top-tier choice for non-HSW users. It hits 135.30 mph. It’s based on the Ferrari SF90 Stradale and looks incredible, but it’s bumpy. If the road isn't perfectly flat, the RSX likes to hop around like it’s on a trampoline.
Top Speed vs. Lap Time: The Big Lie
Here is the thing most people get wrong about the fastest cars in gta: top speed is almost useless in a real race. Unless you’re just driving in a straight line on the highway, you want "lap time" performance.
Expert testers like Broughy1322 have spent years proving that a car like the Penaud La Coureuse or the Benefactor BR8 (the Formula 1 car) will absolutely smoke a Banshee GTS on a circuit. Why? Because they can take corners at 100 mph while the Banshee has to slow down to 40.
- For Highway Pulls: Banshee GTS or Weevil Custom.
- For Stunt Races: Itali GTO (non-Stinger) or the Deveste Eight.
- For Technical City Racing: La Coureuse or the Omaggio.
Why Some Cars Feel Faster Than They Are
Rockstar uses something called "Advanced Handling Flags." It’s basically a bunch of code that dictates how a car reacts to bumps. Some cars, like the Grotti Itali GTO, have a "bouncy" suspension that actually makes them accelerate faster when they hit bumps. It’s a weird physics glitch that players turned into a feature.
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Then you have the Principe Deveste Eight. It’s long, it’s ugly to some, and it turns like a boat. But in a Stunt Race with lots of tubes and speed pads? It’s nearly unbeatable because of how it maintains momentum. It’s not just about the engine; it’s about how the car interacts with the map.
Getting the Most Out of Your Ride
Buying the car is only half the battle. If you aren't upgrading it correctly, you’re leaving speed on the table. You need the Engine Level 4, the Race Transmission, and the Turbo. That’s obvious.
But did you know that on some cars, adding a spoiler actually increases the "traction" stat in the game’s code, even if the bar in the menu doesn't move? It’s true. Always put a spoiler on if you want to go faster through corners. Also, for cars that feel too "bouncy," try using Off-Road tires. They have a hidden stat that helps the car absorb bumps better, keeping your tires on the pavement so you can keep accelerating.
If you’re serious about building a garage of the fastest cars in gta, start with the Banshee GTS if you have HSW access. If you don’t, grab a Weevil Custom for the highway and an Itali GTO for the tracks. You’ll save millions and stop getting gapped by randoms in the streets of Los Santos.
Check your platform's availability for HSW before buying the Stinger TT. If you're on PC, that $3 million Ferrari clone won't give you the 168 mph boost you're looking for, leaving you stuck at a much more modest 132 mph. Build for your platform and your driving style, not just the highest number on a spreadsheet.