Akrapovič
A Slovenian manufacturer of premium high-performance exhaust systems for motorcycles, automobiles, and racing applications.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Akrapovič is a Slovenian performance-engineering brand and manufacturer best known for lightweight exhaust systems for motorcycles, automobiles, and competition vehicles. The company was founded in 1990 by Igor Akrapovič, a former motorcycle racer who had previously operated a motorcycle-tuning business under the name Skorpion. The business emerged from a practical problem in the performance aftermarket: premium racing exhausts were difficult for ordinary customers to obtain, while many available systems were considered too heavy or insufficiently refined. Akrapovič responded by developing its own systems, initially for motorcycles, with an emphasis on thinner-walled construction, improved exhaust flow, lower weight, and more carefully tuned sound. The company’s early identity was built in motorcycle performance and competition. Kawasaki in Germany tested its systems in 1993, and Akrapovič products entered international competition in 1994 through the European Superbike Championship and World Superbike Championship. Other manufacturers and racing teams, including Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati, and Honda, subsequently used the systems. In 1997, the company changed its name from Skorpion to Akrapovič, aligning the corporate identity with its founder and emerging international brand. The company expanded its manufacturing capacity in 1999 by moving from a small workshop to a larger factory in Ivančna Gorica. Competition success became a major source of technical credibility. The first world championship title achieved with an Akrapovič exhaust came in the 2000 World Superbike Championship, when Colin Edwards won the title on a Castrol Honda. Akrapovič systems were also used in the 600 Supersport class, and the company later entered additional national and international series, including American AMA Superbike, the All Japan Superbike Championship, and MotoGP. The brand has been associated with multiple forms of motorcycle racing, including superbike, supersport, supermoto, motocross, enduro, and rally raid. Reference material states that by May 2010 its systems had been used in 38 world championships, although the supplied sources do not provide a complete independently verified list of those titles. Akrapovič’s engineering proposition depends heavily on material science and manufacturing control. Titanium and carbon fiber are used alongside other materials to reduce mass and create distinctive visual finishes. The company established a titanium foundry at its Ivančna Gorica site and uses processes including gas injection, X-ray inspection, chemical analysis, and CAD/CAM/CAE-supported development. Its product positioning combines performance, weight reduction, thermal durability, acoustic character, and styling rather than treating an exhaust as only a replacement mechanical component. Although motorcycle products remain central to the brand, Akrapovič began developing relationships with the automobile industry in the mid-2000s. It developed an exhaust system for a Formula 1 race car in 2007, expanded into automotive exhausts in 2010, and supplied systems for Audi LMP racing cars from 2009. It later became an Audi Sport partner and participated in projects involving vehicles such as the Audi R18 and Audi A5 DTM. The company has also maintained technical relationships with manufacturers including Yamaha, BMW Motorrad, Kawasaki, Honda, Aprilia, Suzuki, Porsche, and Lamborghini. These relationships have included factory- or dealer-fit motorcycle exhausts, racing supply, and jointly developed automotive systems. Today, Akrapovič occupies a premium position in the global performance exhaust market. It serves vehicle manufacturers, racing teams, specialist dealers, professional competitors, and individual enthusiasts. Its offerings include complete motorcycle and automotive exhaust systems, titanium components, carbon-fiber parts, and systems designed for specific vehicle applications. The available reference material does not establish current revenue, ownership, workforce, listing status, or a complete executive roster, so those fields remain unspecified.
History
Igor Akrapovič entered motorcycle racing in 1977, competing first in 250 cc Grand Prix two-stroke events and later in larger four-stroke and Superbike categories. After ending his racing career around 1988–1989, he established a motorcycle-tuning shop called Skorpion. The shop initially employed six people and began producing its own exhausts because the founder considered imported Western racing systems too expensive and Eastern Bloc alternatives inadequate for the intended performance market. Akrapovič’s early designs focused on reducing the excessive weight associated with conventional welded exhaust systems. The company developed systems with thinner construction and introduced materials such as carbon fiber and titanium, linking material innovation to improved performance and a more distinctive appearance. Kawasaki Germany tested the products in 1993, and the systems entered international competition in 1994 in the European Superbike Championship and World Superbike Championship. Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati, Honda, and other teams subsequently adopted the products. In 1997, the company changed its name from Skorpion to Akrapovič. That year, Kawasaki rider Akira Yanagawa became the first racer reported in the supplied material to win a race using an Akrapovič exhaust. Strong sales growth, particularly in Germany, led to a major capacity expansion in 1999, when production moved from a 450-square-metre workshop to a 3,000-square-metre factory in Ivančna Gorica. The facility later grew substantially; the supplied reference gives an area of 13,000 square metres by 2010. The first world championship title achieved with an Akrapovič exhaust came in 2000, when Colin Edwards won the World Superbike Championship on a Castrol Honda SP-01. That season also included a 600 Supersport title associated with Yamaha and Jörg Teuchert. The company subsequently expanded into the American AMA Superbike Championship and All Japan Superbike Championship, and entered MotoGP in 2002 through technical relationships with Honda, Kawasaki, and Aprilia factory teams. As sales grew, Akrapovič invested in computer-based engineering, including three-dimensional configuration planning, tool programming, and computer-aided manufacturing. The company made its first contact with the automobile industry in 2004 and developed an exhaust system for a Formula 1 race car in 2007. It supplied Audi's LMP racing cars from 2009 and became an Audi Sport partner in the 2012 season, with applications including the Audi R18 and Audi A5 DTM. Automotive exhausts became a formal area of expansion in 2010. The brand has also developed technical and supply relationships with Yamaha, BMW Motorrad, Kawasaki, Honda, Aprilia, Suzuki, Porsche, and Lamborghini. Some motorcycle manufacturers have offered Akrapovič systems as factory or dealer options, while automotive collaborations have included systems for Lamborghini Urus and Huracán models and a rear-arch component for the Huracán STO. Production capabilities include a titanium foundry at the main Ivančna Gorica site, supported by casting, inspection, chemical-analysis, and CAD/CAM/CAE processes. Akrapovič remains identified with premium motorcycle and automobile exhaust engineering, racing-derived development, titanium construction, carbon-fiber components, and high-performance sound. The supplied materials do not document a complete ownership history, current management structure, revenue history, or every competition partnership, so those matters are not expanded here.
- 2012
Audi Sport partnership
[1]Akrapovič becomes an official Audi Sport partner for the season, with reported applications involving the Audi R18 and Audi A5 DTM.
- 2010
Automotive exhaust expansion
[1]The company expands into automobile exhausts. The reference also describes a 13,000-square-metre Ivančna Gorica facility and reports use of Akrapovič systems in 38 world championships by May.
- 2009
Audi LMP supply relationship
[1]Akrapovič begins supplying exhaust systems for Audi's LMP racing cars, according to the supplied reference material.
- 2007
Formula 1 development and brand refresh
[1]Akrapovič develops and equips an exhaust system for a Formula 1 race car and changes its logo. Motorrad also names it Best Exhaust Pipe Manufacturer.
- 2004
First reported contact with the automobile industry
[1]The company makes its first documented contact with the automobile industry, beginning a broader expansion beyond motorcycle exhausts.
- 2002
Expansion into MotoGP
[1]Akrapovič enters the MotoGP class through technical relationships with Honda, Kawasaki, and Aprilia factory teams.
- 2000
First reported world championship title
[1]Colin Edwards wins the World Superbike Championship on a Castrol Honda using an Akrapovič exhaust. The supplied reference also identifies a 600 Supersport title involving Yamaha and Jörg Teuchert.
- 1999
Production moves to a larger factory
[1]The company moves from a 450-square-metre workshop to a 3,000-square-metre factory in Ivančna Gorica following strong sales growth.
- 1997
Skorpion becomes Akrapovič
[1]The company changes its name from Skorpion to Akrapovič. Kawasaki rider Akira Yanagawa becomes the first racer identified in the reference material to win a race using an Akrapovič exhaust.
- 1994
Entry into international competition
[1]Akrapovič exhausts are first used in international competition in the European Superbike Championship and World Superbike Championship.
Products and positioning
Premium, lightweight, competition-derived exhaust engineering combining performance, advanced materials, acoustic tuning, and distinctive design.
Motorcycle performance components · 1990
Motorcycle exhaust systems
Akrapovič's motorcycle systems are the brand's historical core. They are designed for road motorcycles, racing motorcycles, and specialist performance applications, with development priorities including lower mass, exhaust-flow performance, thermal management, sound, and visual integration. The range is associated with superbike, supersport, motocross, enduro, supermoto, rally-raid, and other competition categories, as well as premium aftermarket upgrades.
Automotive performance components · 2010
Automotive exhaust systems
Automotive systems extend Akrapovič's material and acoustic engineering into high-performance cars and racing vehicles. Applications emphasize weight reduction, exhaust performance, sound character, durability, and compatibility with vehicle styling. The company supplies both aftermarket products and systems developed through relationships with vehicle manufacturers and motorsport programs.
Titanium exhaust range
Akrapovič Evolution
Akrapovič Evolution is the company's named titanium product range. It reflects the brand's focus on using titanium to balance strength, heat resistance, corrosion resistance, and low weight. The range is positioned toward demanding performance applications and reinforces Akrapovič's premium engineering identity.
Lightweight exhaust components
Carbon-fiber exhaust components
Carbon-fiber components are used in selected exhaust systems and related parts to reduce mass and provide a distinctive appearance. They are commonly integrated with titanium or other performance materials and are intended for high-performance motorcycles and automobiles where weight, heat management, and visual finish are important.
Controversies
2022
Criticism over operations in Russia and Ukraine
After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Akrapovič faced criticism for continuing operations in both Russia and Ukraine. The supplied reference says the company discussed supply-chain disruption, sanctions, and the broader long-term economic consequences of the conflict, while offsetting lost revenue through demand in other regions.
Brand decisions
2010
Expand formally into automobile exhaustsStrategyBackground
The company had made contact with the automobile industry in 2004 and developed a Formula 1 exhaust system in 2007, creating a basis for broader vehicle applications.
Action taken
Akrapovič expanded its business into automobile exhaust systems while retaining its motorcycle and motorsport activities.
Aftermath
The brand developed automotive relationships involving Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, and other high-performance vehicle programs.
2002
Enter MotoGPStrategyBackground
After establishing a presence in superbike and other motorcycle championships, the company sought further exposure and technical validation in premier motorcycle racing.
Action taken
Akrapovič formed technical relationships with Honda, Kawasaki, and Aprilia factory teams in MotoGP.
Aftermath
MotoGP participation strengthened the brand's competition-oriented positioning and expanded its manufacturer relationships.
1997
Rename the business from Skorpion to AkrapovičStrategyBackground
The company had developed from Igor Akrapovič's motorcycle-tuning operation and was gaining recognition in international motorcycle competition.
Action taken
The business adopted the Akrapovič name, creating a unified identity around its founder and exhaust-engineering brand.
Aftermath
The renamed company continued international expansion and became increasingly associated with racing-derived motorcycle exhaust technology.
Recent events
MV Agusta and Akrapovič partner on motorcycle exhausts[3]
Reported:
MV Agusta and Akrapovič entered an industrial partnership under which Akrapovič will supply MV Agusta with a new range of premium exhausts designed for MV Agusta motorcycles.
Sources3 sources
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