This year’s Art of Speed Malaysia (AOS 2026), the 15th edition of the annual event encompassing custom automotive culture, was again another milestone event. Run over two days, AOS2026 saw thousands of local and international enthusiasts come to experience custom vehicles, exclusive collaborations, art, and music.
Held at MAEPS (the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park, Serdang), this year’s expanded Summer Festival concept seamlessly bridged lifestyle entertainment, creative subcultures, and community spirit, solidifying AOS 2026 as the region’s top destination for custom motor culture.
International heavyweights, rare builds
AOS 2026 brought together a star-studded line-up of global builders and icons. There were the rare appearances from Emi Suganuma and the MOONEYES Japan team; Wataru Kato of Liberty Walk; Yokomizo Gaku from Hawgholic; Yoshiki Okubo from Vise Clothing; and Mark Kirkland of DicE Magazine. The event also hosted Hot Wheels Premium Lead Product Designer Ronald Wong alongside prominent crews and builders from Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines.
The various show floors displayed an extraordinary collection of custom machinery. Among the stand-out international displays were a rare 1945 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead brought by Hawgholic, a 1966 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead from Vise Clothing, curated builds from Bangkok, and a high-profile feature space occupied by Liberty Walk.
SoundCircus Festival
Music again played a massive role in the weekend’s energy, with the SoundCircus Festival taking over 6 indoor and outdoor stages. The festival featured performances by Ella x Cokelat, Jemput Dengar featuring Sheila Majid, Nadin Amizah, Disagree, Johnny Pandora, the 20th anniversary set for Hujan, and a celebration of 30 years of Asian Hardcore.
Elevating the festival experience, AOS 2026 debuted Asia’s first Flying Fox track suspended over a live concert crowd at the SoundCircus Pentas 16 Stage. The musical segment was made possible with support from the Ministry of Communications through MyCreative Ventures’ Concert and Events in Malaysia Incentive programme.
Top custom craftsmanship honoured
The Art of Speed Invitational Bike Build-Off saw 8 master builders compete for top honours. Mujo Joros dominated the competition with a GPX Gentleman 200 build, taking home both the Overall Jury Winner title (and a RM15,000 cash prize) and the Public Choice Winner award (RM5,000 cash prize).
The coveted Best of Show Automobile honour went to Shaun Jonathan Pinto for a 1957 356 Speedster Replica, earning a trip to represent Malaysia at the 34th Annual MOONEYES Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show 2026 in Japan. In the motorcycle categories, The Bangkok Boys took home the Best of Show Motorcycle award.
Collectors, collaborations, and tourism Integration
Diecast collectors flocked to Hall C for the 4th Official Hot Wheels Collectors Convention Malaysia. The convention launched the exclusive HWCCM 2026 Custom Nissan Skyline GT-R V·Spec II (BNR34), supported by a real-world Skyline GT-R showcase organized by the Malaysia Skyline Owners Group. Attendees also snapped up event-exclusive diecast models from Kyosho × MOONEYES, Tarmac Works × RWB, and Mini GT × Liberty Walk.
Beyond automotive displays, the festival featured 10 new global and local brand partnerships, a movie feature display with Astro Shaw’s ‘Terbang’, lifestyle zones like Gravel Travel and Kulture Kartel, and the popular Kembara Passport activity, which awarded over RM80,000 in prizes including a custom Thunder Motorcycles 250 and a modified Honda HR-V MK1 Japan Edition.
Tourscape@Selangor
Connecting the motoring scene to local travel, Tourism Selangor launched its Tourscape@Selangor initiative at the show. This program introduces Road Trip Fun Maps to guide drivers and riders through Selangor’s 12 districts.
Reflecting on the success of AOS 2026, Festival Director Asep Ahmad Iskandar said Art of Speed has earned the trust and support of internationally renowned brands and builders from around the world, while remaining committed to nurturing Malaysia’s custom automotive scene and strengthening the regional Kustom Kulture movement.
“The international support we have received is a reflection of what Art of Speed has built over the years — not just as an event, but as a platform that connects builders, brands, artists, and enthusiasts from around the world. As we continue to grow, our mission remains the same: to celebrate creativity, support our local community, and showcase Malaysia as a leading destination for Kustom Kulture in the region,” he said.
