The popular high-end performance Akrapovic exhaust systems designed for performance cars and motorcycles has been in the Philippine market for some time now thru its designated dealers, marketers, and some online shops. But on September 18, 2019, representatives from Akrapovic Exhausts of Slovenia officially visited the Philippines and oriented the select members of the media, dealers and customers to discuss the brand’s history, their future, products and latest cutting edge technology.
Organized by Excellar Enterprises, together with Parts Pro was held at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City. Mr. Marko Magdic, Market Development Manager and Mr. David Braceji, Area Sales Manager/Auto Segment gave a short presentation and answered questions from the media, dealers and customers during the get-together.
Akrapovic was founded in 1991 by Igor Akrapovic. Mr. Akrapovic originally had a motorcycle tuning shop, with an emphasis on high-performance riding and racing. As retold by Marko Magdic, the story of how Akrapovic came about started when Igor Akrapovic, an ex-racer, wants to put a pipe on his bike that provides weight savings, performance gain, and aesthetic attributes to specifically match his discerning taste. In 1990, Igor Akrapovic’s needs weren’t available in the market, so he opted to form his own company. Soon, his company decided to build custom exhaust systems for his clients and that’s where the business for titanium exhausts began.
Akrapovic means Scorpion from the byword Akra as translated from the Turkish language thus the presence of the scorpion sign in the logo design of the company. The scorpion-inspired logo presents the company’s reputation of having a scorpion character that kind of flows through a lot of what they do with their product.
Akrapovic is a leader in the aftermarket, motorsports and OEM supplier side for titanium exhausts. Titanium is the primary material of choice because it is incredibly light and extremely resistant to high heat–able to withstand continuous heat exposure of 1,000 degrees. It is lighter and stronger than regular stainless steel, resists corrosion completely and is also lighter than Inconel, another heavy metal alloy used in motorsports.
The company buys titanium blanks from Japan and the United States, melts and casts them into specific shapes and sizes using their own proprietary titanium alloy. All of their titanium exhausts are race-tested and OEM approved. Additionally, Akrapovic is one of Europe’s largest titanium metal consumers, second only to the military and aerospace industries. The company is also heavily vested in composite materials such as carbon fiber. Currently, Akrapovic is experimenting with a new carbon matrix ceramic composite material for future use. This same material is currently being developed by NASA for space crafts of the future thanks to its lightweight, high heat resistance and extreme rigidity.
Akrapovic is the only exhaust company that has its own titanium foundry and casting machines. With a workforce of 1,300 strong, everything is researched, engineered, designed and manufactured in-house in Akrapovic’s home in Slovenia.
65% of the company’s business is catered to motorcycles, while 35% is for four-wheeled vehicles. This is because the automobile business only started in 2010, whereas the motorcycle exhaust business started in the mid-’90s, almost 20 years earlier and has had a lengthy headstart. But the automotive business is slowly catching up, as the growth rate is faster in the 4-wheeled segment.
A typical Akrapovic exhaust saves anywhere from 40%-60% of the weight of a regular exhaust, especially if you order a full exhaust system with cat-less race-style systems and headers or exhaust manifold over a conventional steel-based exhaust system.
Outside of the automotive industry, Akrapovic has recently created a titanium-based electronic scalpel casing for emergency medical operating rooms in the medical industry which they showed off at their event. The electronic scalpel is small, lightweight and ergonomic, fitting a surgeon’s hand comfortably and perfectly.
Akrapovic has three main types of customers: the OEM, motorsports and aftermarket industry. Their list of OEM clients include:
- Porsche 997 GT2RS
- BMW Alpina B6
- Koenigsegg Regera
- BMW M3 GT4
- Bentley Bentayga
- Bentley Continental GT3-R
- Second Generation new Ford GT EcoBoost
- Lamborghini Urus (factory exhaust upgrade option)
- Koenigsegg Jesko
- Porsche 919 Evo lap record challenger car
Their involvement in Motorsports then and now also include the following factory teams:
- BAR Honda F1
- Audi RS5 DTM
- Audi R8 LMS (Le Mans Series)
- Audi R15 to R18 Le Mans LMP1 Prototype race cars which all won the 24h of Le Mans
- BMW M8 GTE Le Mans GT2
- Aston Martin Vantage WEC Teams
- Porsche 911 RSR
- MINI ALL4 WRC
Their OEM exhaust line-up for automobiles include sports cars, hatchbacks, sedans, coupes and select luxury sport utility vehicles/SUV’s which include, but are not limited to the following:
- Audi RS models
- BMW M models
- Mercedes-Benz AMG models
- Lamborghini (Aventador, Huracan, Urus)
- Ferrari (458, 488)
- Porsche (911 GT2 RS, GT3 RS, GT3, Turbo and Turbo S)
- Nissan R35 GTR (all years)
- A90 Toyota GazooRacing Supra
Akrapovic is proud to be part of the R&D team that helped develop the upcoming A90 Supra GT4 race car concept which will start racing in 2020. This then helped them design the road-legal exhaust for the regular A90 Supra road car.
In the actual media presentation at the Manila Polo Club, the local Akrapovic official suppliers brought with them cars that are fitted with a complete high performance exhaust system, namely the Porsche Cayman S, the GT3 RS and the BMW M2.
Today, Akrapovic’s three biggest markets are the United States, Germany and China. Their most popular exhaust worldwide is for the BMW M3/M4 full titanium exhaust with the option for a carbon fiber rear diffuser to match the quad tailpipe exits. Their exhaust systems are available with a silencer valved which is remotely controlled. In densely populated and noise regulated areas, the butterfly valve remains closed, delivering a subdued, almost OEM-like exhaust note. Go out to the open road or race track and with the push of a button, the full sound and performance are unleashed with the free-flowing exhaust system.
Akrapovic Exhausts is hopeful that in the future, the company will remain relevant. Hybrids are an exciting proposition for the brand, as they note that most hybrid vehicles still utilize an internal combustion engine and will need a lightweight, high-performance exhaust that should help benefit the car’s overall handling and fuel consumption. As for pure EV’s, Akrapovic mentioned that they hope to find a place there too with their lightweight composite materials technology expertise.
Akrapovic exhausts are imported exclusively by Excellar Enterprises, located at 72 Nicanor Roxas St., Brgy. Sto. Domingo, Banawe Area, Quezon City. You may contact the company through (02) 712-9999. Excellar Enterprises is also the sole exclusive and authorized importer for RECARO automotive high-performance seats, orthopedic/ergo-med seats and motorsports shell seats, BBS wheels from both Japan (forged motorsports wheels) and Germany (cast wheels), TWS/Tan-Eisya Wheel Supply forged high-performance and motorsport wheels, PRODRIVE Wheels and accessories, HRE Wheels, AL13 heels, ADV:1 wheels and Eventuri Carbon-Fiber Intake systems.
For customers in the north, http://www.Partspro.ph is the appointed sales agent and is located at 91 Congressional Ave., Project 8, Quezon City.
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