Beemer hits the right note

The business of manufacturing exhaust systems is quite serious. Paging through the chronicles of the combustion engine's blueprints, it becomes clear that the exhaust stage is an integral part of creating the performance we desire so richly in cars.

This largely dirty stage of the process also happens to be the main source behind that elusive experience of emotion-in-motion petrolheads lust after.

A fine example is the E90 BMW M3 that can now be fitted with an Akrapovic exhaust system.

It's not the first time BMW South Africa has joined forces with a pipe specialist to come up with something just that bit more special than the standard car.

BMW SA's automotive wing has now forged a relationship with Akrapovic to make its sonorous titanium exhaust systems available to local M3 owners who want their cars to sound like proper little devils while having the peace of mind of warranty retentions and quality workmanship.

Our bike correspondent, Dennis Tau, and his riding mates will be familiar with the Akrapovic nameplate because these exhausts are featured on Yamahas and BMW GS ranges.

The founder is a Slovenian, Igor Akrapovic, who was involved in motorcycle racing and was not satisfied with the standard of bike mufflers in those days.

In 1990 he started his own company, manufacturing big loud pipes to his preferred specifications.

Akrapovic systems are made from titanium, a metal rated three-times stronger, 40% lighter and more heat resistant than stainless steel. Akrapovic's justification for using titanium is its strength, which enables the company to build lighter systems with thinner insulation.

This translates to big advantages in race situations.

The system on the BMW M3 is optimised for flow by an "X"-pipe format, sports catalysts and integrated resonators.

The overall weight is reduced by a whopping 24kg, compared to the standard M3 system. It also ends in some of the most beautifully crafted outlet tips I've ever laid eyes on.

As with any free-flowing exhaust system, extra horses are released by ironing out the kinks.

Peak output increases are rated at 16.2kW and 35Nm. Add that to the engine's numbers and you have an M3 that puts out 325kW at 8300rpm and 435Nm at 3900rpm.

That's plenty of whack - and you can feel it dramatically when you unleash it on the tar. Improved response is also felt throughout the rev range.

But what will really grab your attention is the ensuing noise - one that will have you hunting for roads with tunnels. It's a rich and deep bass at low revs which bellows into a proper roar as you increase speed.

A truly magnificent exhaust note has been found by Akrapovic's acoustic tuners. At 120km/h it hums like a German V6, at 3000rpm it gurgles like a British V8 and at 8200rpm it barks like an Italian V12.