Fig.1 | Purple-violet shift paint x MMX MFS15 wheels — slammed stance at the exhibition hall
At a time when many still dismiss EVs as mere ‘electronic appliances’ unworthy of modification, a NIO ET5T has emerged as a powerful counter-argument — proving that electric vehicles carry the same depth of modification potential as any combustion car. The owner, among the first batch of NIO ET5T buyers in 2023, initially purchased the car purely for daily commuting. But after months behind the wheel, he realized that factory settings do not suit every driver — and with virtually no one modifying this model at the time, that very blank canvas ignited his competitive drive, launching a full-dimension custom build.
- Air Suspension Evolution: From Coilovers to Airlift 3H
The owner started pragmatically with upgraded wheels, coilovers, and brakes. By mid-2025, seeking a more distinctive presence, he installed an Airlift 3H air management system paired with SCCS2 shock absorbers, achieving seamless transitions from a ground-hugging static stance to driving height. The trunk-mounted air tank and controller were custom-painted, becoming one of the build’s most ceremonial details.
Fig.2 | Custom-painted air tank x Airlift 3H controller — suspension system showcase
- Wheels & Brakes: Award-Winning Chinese Design and China’s First Purple AP Calipers
For rolling stock, the owner chose the MMX MFS15 forged wheels — a Chinese-original design that previously claimed top honors at the SEMA Show in the United States. Silver spokes are accented with heat-treated blue Kyowa titanium lug nuts from Japan and GReddy valve caps, with meticulous craftsmanship hidden in every detail. On the braking side, he personally mixed and sprayed the AP calipers into a unique matte purple finish — not only the first documented purple AP caliper build in China, but also featured in official Konar promotional materials.
Fig.3 | MMX MFS15 SEMA commemorative forged wheels x matte purple AP calipers x blue titanium lug nuts
Fig.4 | Front three-quarter view at the exhibition — violet shift paint x custom-mixed front lip
III. Exterior Customization: Mix-and-Match Graffiti and an Unreplicable Personal Signature
Rejecting off-the-shelf body kits, the owner pieced together front lips, rear diffusers, and spoilers from different brands, adding custom graffiti on the rear diffuser and air suspension trim to achieve a truly irreplicable look. Even more personal: born in the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac, he commissioned a designer to create and 3D-print snake-themed badges and mirror caps, blending Eastern aesthetics with modern additive manufacturing to etch his identity into the car. As he puts it: ‘I want to prove that China does have car culture — it just depends on whether the owner is willing to put in the thought and effort to express themselves.’
Fig.5 | 3D-printed snake-motif mirror cap — the owner’s zodiac year personal signature
Fig.6 | Wine-red shift paint x custom graffiti rear diffuser — slammed among autumn leaves
- About APAxpo Foshan and the Kings Challenge
This NIO ET5T is a competing vehicle in the APAxpo Foshan Kings Challenge. This year’s competition features a total prize pool of up to 100,000 RMB, with cash rewards and exclusive gifts awarded to the champion, runner-up, third place, and all top-50 finishers nationwide — a true testament to APAxpo’s commitment to rewarding genuine modification craftsmanship.
APAxpo is rooted in the Greater Bay Area with nationwide reach, dedicated to the automotive modification vertical. In 2026, the exhibition will welcome 5,000 domestic workshop representatives on-site. Balancing the needs of businesses and car owners alike, APAxpo hosts the richest diversity of performance cars, JDM icons, sports cars, and itasha builds among Chinese modification exhibitions, with comprehensive coverage of performance parts, wheels, suspension, wraps, and EV customization — firmly established as the core modification exhibition of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. We warmly invite enthusiasts, industry professionals, and brand partners to join us at APAxpo Foshan and witness more inspired builds like this ET5T take center stage.
