2024 has seen Milltek grow at a faster rate than ever before in its 40-plus years as a leading performance exhaust manufacturer and engineering company.
The past 12 months has seen Milltek launch its new MLTK brand and cement its position in the US with consistent growth at its dedicated factory in Knoxville, Tennessee. There has also been continuous development at Milltek's German base at the Nürburgring, ensuring an ever-expanding range of EC Approved exhausts.
In 2024, Milltek has invested in its workforce and production facilities with a major upgrade of its Ilkeston factory in Derby. There have also been more cars than ever before pass through Milltek's development centre that is also based in Derby.
During 2024's production of exhaust, Milltek has used enough sheet steel to cover 26 tennis courts and a total of 72 miles of steel tube – that's enough to go from the Earth's surface into Space.
Keeping its feet firmly on the ground, Milltek continues to be a major presence at key motor shows and other smaller enthusiast events. This underlines Milltek's commitment to delivering the best to everyone who wants to improve the performance, sound, and longevity of their car while delivering sustainable products with a lifetime warranty.
Investment
As well as investing in an increased range of EC Approved exhausts, Milltek has upgraded its Ilkeston factory base in Derby. This site has been at the core of Milltek since 1989, and 2024 saw a major refurbishment to further enhance the quality and innovation of this factory.
New exterior cladding, doors, and roof with skylights were fitted. This has greatly improved the look of the outside of the factory and the new roof allows in much more natural light to provide a better working environment. It is part of the forward-thinking approach of Milltek and its mission to deliver continuous improvement in everything it does.
In the US, Milltek Corp has increased its capability at the company's base in Knoxville, Tennessee as part of Milltek's expansion in North America. The $10.5 million, 35,000-square foot US site now has its own manufacturing, distribution, and Research and Development facilities to cater for US-specific models. This keeps Milltek ahead of the competition and creating enhanced exhaust systems and other components for US performance models available through a growing network of dealers.
2024 also saw the launch of MLTK by Milltek, a bespoke range of engineered and styling products for overland and performance cars. A dedicated team of design and production engineers is now in place to create these tailored items. The first cars to have MLTK products developed for them include the current Land Rover Defender, Ineos Grenadier, and the latest F66 generation of MINI Cooper S.
For the Land Rover and Ineos, there are additional lighting units, aluminium and tubular front bumpers, a rear spoiler with integrated third brake light, plus new taillights, rear corner steps, side steps and under body protection. It almost goes without saying that the range also includes Milltek stainless steel exhausts.
In 2024, Milltek launched its own dedicated website for merchandise at www.milltekmerch.com The new website was born out of demand for Milltek merchandise and provides customer service to match that of our performance exhausts.
More modern icons joined the Milltek Classic range of performance exhausts in 2024. This now covers a spectrum of covetable classics from the Volkswagen Golf Mk1 Cabriolet and Mk4 Golf R32 all the way to the Audi RS4 B7. There are also updated systems for the desirable BMW E30 M3 and Peugeot 205 GTI models.
Each new development begins with the original 'OEM' exhaust system, with our engineers identifying weaknesses and restrictions using a 3D scanning and testing process. All of these exhausts subtly enhance the standard engine note of the original while remaining faithful to the standard factory exhaust tip style.
All of MLTK's products are designed and produced alongside Milltek's performance exhausts at the company's headquarters in Derbyshire, UK.
EC Approved innovation
Milltek's precision-made stainless steel exhausts have been offered with EC Approved design for a wider range of cars than ever before in 2024. The fully road legal, bolt-on systems are rigorously tested to meet stringent regulations while also offering Milltek's usual improvements to performance, sound, and style.
Among the new EC Approved exhausts added in 2024 were systems for the Gen 2 Toyota Yaris GR, which was developed at Milltek's dedicated Nürburgring facility. This Milltek cat-back system includes a centre silencer, rear silencer, two outlet pipes, and a choice of visible 115mm (4.5-inch) tips. The exhaust is made from T304L stainless steel, has a lifetime guarantee, and comes with the option of polished, Cerakote Black, Brushed Titanium, Burnt Titanium, or Carbon twin exhaust tips.
Milltek now supplies more than 900 EC Approved products and is committed to promoting responsible tuning and offering customers significant improvements on their factory exhaust system.
Steve Pound, Managing Director of Milltek, said: 'Over the last 40 years, we've developed a reputation for producing high quality, premium exhaust systems to suitable for a wide range of applications – whether that's on the street, or on the circuit. We have a responsibility to do everything we can to ensure our products are always used for their intended purpose. Achieving EC Approval on over 900 of our products reflects our commitment to manufacturing exhaust systems of the highest quality, and we'll continue to promote safe and responsible practices across the industry.'
Milltek also has the capability to design and develop engineering solutions for others, including OE manufacturers and motorsport applications. Recent investment in the latest machine tools and 3D tube bending are beneficial to Milltek's in-house products and engineering projects outside of the automotive sphere.
Industry partners
Milltek is proud to continue its partnerships with a number of high quality product suppliers. This includes working closely with Forge Motorsport and Tarox, as well as Auto Finesse, TRE by Auto ID, and Urban Automotive.
Ongoing partnerships with Laser Lights and Tarox have yielded upgrades for the Ineos Grenadier and latest generation of MINI.
Milltek is also delighted to work with Hype Motorsport to provide exhausts for all of the company's track rental fleet. There is no more severe a test than continual track use and Milltek's exhausts are more than up to the task with Hype Motorsport.
This year also saw a continued partnership with Maximum Motorsport for the Milltek Civic Cup, which continues into 2025 with Milltek as title sponsor for the championship. This is one of the most closely fought race series in the UK and every car is fitted with a Milltek exhaust to help them produce 230bhp.
Milltek is also supporting Power Maxed Racing with bespoke exhausts for its two cars in the 2025 British Touring Car Championship.
Shows
Milltek is delighted to have supported motoring events large and small across the UK and around the world in 2024. From the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where new exhausts for the BMW G-Series, Cupra Formentor, Ford Puma and Ranger Raptor, and the Range Rover Sport were introduced, to the huge SEMA show in Las Vegas, Milltek has led the way.
The company was at the Essen Motor Show season finale in Germany with two new shows cars in the shape of the Hyundai i20 N and Toyota Yaris GR with its latest EC Approved performance exhausts fitted.
Milltek is also proud to have been at the opening of Great Nothern Classics, where our founder Phil Millington's Audi UR Quattro took pride of place among the exhibits of this amazing heritage motoring destination in Derby.
Development vehicles
Audi A4 B9.5 2020-on
Audi S5 B9
BMW M2 G87
BMW M3 M4 G Series
BMW M135 F70
BMW X4M 2019-on
Chevrolet Camaro SS 2016-2024
Corvette C8 Z06
Dodge RAM Rebel 2025
Ford Bronco 2021-on
Ford F150 2021-on
Ford Mustang S550 GT500
Ford Ranger Bi Turbo
Ford Ranger Raptor Next Gen
Hyundai Elantra N 2022-on
Hyundai Kona N 2022-on
Hyundai Veloster N 2019-2022
Ineos Grenadier
Jaguar XF 2.0T JLR Racecar
Jeep Wrangler 3.6 2019-on
Land Rover Defender 130 P300
Lotus Emira 2.0T
Mini Cooper S GEN4 F66
Nissan GTR
Porsche 911 991.1/2 GT3 RS Titanium
Porsche 911 991.2 GTS Carrera
Range Rover Defender 130 V8
Range Rover L460 P530
Range Rover P530 Sport
Range Rover P540
Range Rover SV
Range Rover L460 P510E
Skoda Superb 280
Subaru Impreza WRX 2022-on
Toyota Camry TRD 2020-2024
Toyota GR86
Toyota Land Cruiser 2024
Toyota Tacoma
Toyota Tacoma 2016-2024
Toyota Yaris GR GEN2
VW Atlas VR6 2018-2020
VW Golf GTI MK1 Cab
VW Golf GTI MK8 Clubsport
VW Golf GTi MK8.5
VW Tiguan 2022-on