The dust has settled on the Manila Auto Salon (MAS) 2025, the country's premier aftermarket car show. Walking the halls this year, amidst the sea of chrome and carbon fiber, one thing was undeniably clear to our team: Performance is beautiful.
For us at Autoclinic Philippines, MAS isn't just a display; it's a report card. It’s where the country’s top builders push the envelope. We are incredibly proud to say that our authorized dealers didn't just participate—they dominated.
From European hatchbacks to Japanese supercars and even the latest hybrid trucks, the podium finishers shared a common DNA: they were equipped with the world-class parts we distribute. Seeing our partners take home trophy after trophy confirms what we’ve known for 30 years: top-tier engineering wins every time.
In this feature, we want to spotlight these masterpieces. We’ll answer three key questions:
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Which specific builds took home the "Best in Class" awards this year?
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How did products like KW V3s, Remus Exhausts, and DTE Systems contribute to these wins?
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Who are the expert dealer-builders behind these incredible machines?
Table of Contents
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Euro Mastery: The Mini Cooper S & BMW M2s
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Japanese Legends: GTRs, Supras, and the GR86
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The New School: GR Yaris & BYD Shark
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The Common Thread: Why Champions Choose Autoclinic Brands
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Build Your Own Award-Winner
Euro Mastery: The Mini Cooper S & BMW M2s
The European category is always fiercely competitive. Judges look for a balance of clean aesthetics and functional performance.
Best Euro Hatchback: F56 Mini Cooper S by Area One Garage
This build was a crowd favorite, and for good reason. Area One Garage didn't just lower it; they engineered it.
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The Suspension: They utilized the ST XTA Plus 3 coilovers. This isn't a basic kit; it features 3-way damping adjustment (high/low-speed compression and rebound), giving this Mini the same suspension technology found in professional touring cars.
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The Sound: The growl comes from a Remus Innovation cat-back exhaust system with valve control, paired with our very own Autoclinic catless downpipe. This allows the driver to switch between a gentlemanly hum and a full race-inspired roar at the touch of a button.
1st & 2nd Place Euro Sports Coupe: G87 BMW M2s by I&I Automotive Modifications
The new G87 M2 is a bold platform, and I&I Automotive Modifications proved they know exactly how to handle it. Taking both the top spots in this category is no small feat.
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The Stance: Both builds featured KW Height Adjustable Spring (HAS) kits. This is the perfect solution for owners who want to keep their adaptive M-suspension dampers but demand a more aggressive, adjustable ride height. It’s the best of both worlds—factory tech meets aftermarket stance.
Japanese Legends: GTRs, Supras, and the GR86
The "JDM" hall is the heart of the show, and the standards here are impossibly high.
Best Japanese AWD GT: R35 Nissan GTR by Area One Garage / I&I Automotive
Godzilla is still the king. This collaboration build took home the top prize for AWD GTs.
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The Tech: A car this heavy and fast needs absolute control. The builders chose KW V3 coilovers for their independent compression and rebound adjustment. Crucially, they added the KW HLS 2 (Hydraulic Lift System) kit. This allows the nose of the low-slung supercar to lift at the push of a button—essential for navigating Manila's ramps without shattering carbon fiber.
1st Place Japanese RWD 4-Cylinder: Toyota GR86 by GarageOne Auto Performance & Offroad Shop x Signature Shine
The GR86 is the tuner car of the moment. Standing out requires perfection. GarageOne and Signature Shine delivered exactly that.
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The Drive: Equipped with KW V3 coilovers, this 86 isn't just a show pony. The V3 setup ensures that the car’s famous handling balance is sharpened even further, reducing body roll and increasing mechanical grip.
2nd Place Japanese GT RWD 6-Cylinder: A90 Toyota GR Supra by Carbonzone Unlimited
Carbonzone Unlimited brought the heat with their Supra build.
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The Innovation: They installed the KW DDC (Dynamic Damping Control) Plug & Play coilovers. This system plugs directly into the Supra’s factory electronics, allowing the driver to adjust the KW suspension modes using the car’s original interior buttons. It’s seamless integration with superior damping.
R35 Nissan GTR & Subaru BRZ
We also have to shout out Carbonzone Unlimited's other R35 GTR (running KW V3 + HLS 4 for 4-wheel lifting capability) and MEK Automotive's clean Subaru BRZ build on KW V3s. These cars exemplify the "clean, functional, fast" ethos we love.
The New School: GR Yaris & BYD Shark
The automotive landscape is changing, and our dealers are at the forefront.
2nd Place GR Yaris Award: Toyota GR Yaris by Jec Episodes
The GR Yaris is a rally car for the road, and Jec Episodes treated it with the respect it deserves.
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The Setup: Naturally, a rally-bred car needs rally-bred suspension. The KW V3 coilovers allow this hot hatch to soak up bumps while staying glued to the tarmac, maximizing the grip of its AWD system.
1st Place HEV Build: BYD Shark by Overland Kings
This is the future of modification. Overland Kings took the new BYD Shark, a plug-in hybrid pickup, and turned it into an award-winner.
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The Response: Electric and hybrid powertrains have torque, but throttle mapping can still be tricky. They installed a DTE PedalBox throttle controller. This device eliminates signal delay, giving the electrified truck instant, razor-sharp response that matches its futuristic look.
The Common Thread: Why Champions Choose Autoclinic Brands
What connects a hybrid pickup truck, a German hatchback, and a Japanese supercar?
Trust.
These dealers—Area One Garage, I&I Automotive, GarageOne, Carbonzone Unlimited, Jec Episodes, MEK Automotive, and Overland Kings—are the best in the business. They cannot afford to install parts that fail, rattle, or underperform.
They choose KW Suspension, ST Suspensions, Remus Exhaust, and DTE Systems because these brands offer:
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TÜV-Certified Quality: Rigorous German testing standards.
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Proven Performance: Technologies derived straight from Nürburgring lap records.
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Longevity: Materials like "inox-line" stainless steel that survive our tropical climate.
We are honored to be the official Philippine distributor supporting these artists.
Build Your Own Award-Winner
You don't need to enter a car show to drive a winner. Whether you want the perfect stance for your daily driver or track-ready performance for your weekend toy, the same parts used on these trophy-winning cars are available for you.
Ready to start your build?
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Find a Dealer: We can connect you with the expert shops mentioned in this article.
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Shop Online: Visit our KW Suspension and ST Suspensions collections to see what's available for your car.
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Contact Us: Our team is ready to guide you to the perfect setup.
Contact Autoclinic Philippines:
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Mobile / Viber / WhatsApp: +63 917 182 8740
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Socials: Follow us on Instagram @autoclinicgroup_ph and TikTok @autoclinicph
Congratulations again to all our dealers. Let’s keep building the culture, one car at a time.
