As the automotive landscape evolves, so too does the aftermarket. With cleaner tech gaining popularity, Milltek has started developing exhausts for hybrid cars.
It’s no secret that the types of cars being sold in the biggest numbers are changing. People are increasingly looking for ways to lower their carbon footprint, and one of the more cost-effective options out there is choosing a hybrid as their next vehicle, rather than a full-on EV. Not only that, but there’s now an established trend in the popularity of crossovers and SUVs, so it was only a matter of time before these sorts of vehicles would garner focus on the aftermarket. However, as Milltek explains, developing exhausts for hybrid cars isn’t quite as simple as you might imagine…
When dealing with hybrid powertrains, it’s essential that the design of the new exhaust doesn’t cause any nearby batteries to heat up beyond their limits. Additionally, for cars which can switch between utilizing a combustion engine and running on electricity-only, Milltek wants to pay particular attention to that moment of crossover. Steve Pound, Managing Director of Milltek Sport, explains this in greater detail:
How to design exhausts for hybrid cars
“We don’t want the crossover between electric and ICE power to be any more prominent than it is, so we increase the focus on designing our exhausts to sound better under higher load situations and be more subtle lower in the rev range.”
“While a performance exhaust is traditionally louder than a factory system, it’s not just about adding noise but ensuring a more distinctive, sportier sound. With our hybrid applications, customers continue to experience the benefits of localized, electrified driving while enjoying a more engaging experience on the open road.”
Pound continued: “The size of the existing vehicle parc and continued demand for our 1000s of performance exhaust products, which span cars from the ‘80s to the current day, mean ICE applications will always be at the heart of our operation. However, as a business that has been at the forefront of the performance aftermarket for over 40 years, we will always evolve and grow our offering to provide car enthusiasts with the best possible choice.”
At the moment, the Ford Puma ST Powershift mild-hybrid and Cupra Formentor 1.4 TSi e-hybrid are catered for by Milltek, and an exhaust system for the Range Rover Sport P460e Hybrid is on its way. However, we can expect the range of Milltek exhausts for hybrid cars to increase quite a lot in the coming months and years.
