Milltek Sport – it’s the sound of the Police!

Milltek Sport is helping Devon & Cornwall Police to make all the right noises when it comes to highlighting road safety and engaging with the region’s modified car community.

The long-established premium performance exhaust specialist has supported the Force with the supply and installation of a fully ECE-approved system for its innovative Focus RS ‘police car’, which is taken to car meets and features in road safety videos.

The 2016 fast Ford has been ‘in service’ for nearly two years and during that time it has been transformed from a standard Mk3 Focus RS – one of the most popular cars with UK car tuners – into a show-stopping one-off.

The project has been driven by the Force’s Sergeant Owen Messenger, and built in collaboration with the YouTube channel ‘George’s Car Media’. Funding has been provided by Vision Zero South West, a road safety partnership aiming to reduce road deaths in the area.

With the initiative’s emphasis on demonstrating to car enthusiasts how they can modify their vehicles legally, the addition of the Milltek Sport exhaust is perfect for the project’s next round of modifications. It is currently the only aftermarket performance exhaust available for the Mk3 Focus RS that is fully road legal for use on the UK’s roads – owners who upgrade their car with any other performance exhaust will infringe emission legislation and risk an MOT fail.

Milltek Sport enhanced the Focus RS with a full ECE-approved cat-back exhaust with brushed titanium tips. The resonated, valved system works in conjunction with the factory exhaust valve control, and comprises of front and rear silencers, over axle pipes, left-hand valved tailpipe and right-hand tailpipe. An adaptor links it to the HJS-produced, ECE-approved Euro 6-compliant downpipe with 200 cell catalyst.

As well as providing the Focus with a more distinctive, sportier sound, the striking exhaust also complements the Focus’ distinctive wrap and upgraded alloy wheels, while it’s freer-flowing design optimizes the power gains from the engine modifications.

Milltek Sport’s participation in the project complements the business’ involvement with the Performance Automotive Aftermarket Association (PAAA) and its highly topical SMART (Safe Modification and Responsible Tuning) campaign. The campaign aims to unify and focus the performance tuning industry to produce and supply products that are safe, road legal and fit-for-purpose, while continuing to offer improved performance and vehicle dynamics.

Steve Pound, Managing Director of Milltek Sport, said: “There’s no better illustration of the legality of our products than their application on a police car. The project is a fantastic idea by Devon & Cornwall Police and provides real-world proof to modified car enthusiasts that it is possible to enhance a car’s performance and aesthetics with no detriment to its legality. We are pleased to support the initiative and have a role in promoting responsible tuning and, better still, help to improve road safety in a region where road accidents involving young people are sadly among the highest in the country.”

Devon & Cornwall Police Sergeant Owen Messenger said: “The UK has a fantastic and diverse modified car community, but it’s vital we all stay safe and on the right side of the law. The recent DVSA crackdown on tuning companies fitting illegal modifications has seen two companies prosecuted in landmark court cases within the last six months, further highlighting the importance of safe and responsible modification.

“Our road safety campaign with Vision Zero South West is designed to demonstrate the right way forward and help us engage with enthusiasts, while also maintaining our support of the PAAA’s Safe Modifications And Responsible Tuning (SMART) initiative. When looking for an upgraded exhaust system to help us improve the performance, sound and aesthetics of our Focus RS project car, it was important to have a high-quality, ECE-approved system that doesn’t compromise on safety or legality, and which is fully certified for road use.”