Milltek Sport Gives the Honda Civic Type R FL5 the Voice It Deserves
British exhaust specialist Milltek Sport has unveiled its latest creation for the Honda Civic Type R FL5, and the result sounds exactly as a Type R should: bold, balanced and technically immaculate.
Milltek’s relationship with Honda goes back decades. The company has crafted bespoke exhaust systems for Civic Cup race cars as well as classics like the S2000 and Integra DC5. The addition of the FL5 to that lineage confirms Milltek’s continuing role as the unofficial sound engineer for Honda’s performance icons.
Engineering Emotion
The Civic Type R needs little introduction, but Milltek’s latest system brings its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine to life in a new way. Built at the firm’s Derby headquarters from high-grade T304L stainless steel, the exhaust raises volume by up to 8 dB over the factory setup, yet remains street-legal. Buyers can choose between Race and Road+ versions, with or without active valves.
According to Kev Hall, Milltek’s Technical Operations Manager, the goal was to create a sound that works equally well on the morning commute and at a track day. “The FL5 is a true driver’s car,” Hall explained. “It doesn’t shout for attention, but every press of the throttle produces exactly the tone Type R owners expect.”
Three Flavours of Type R Sound
Milltek offers the new system in three distinct configurations:
Race – the loudest, rawest setup, ideal for track enthusiasts.
Road+ – a middle ground between everyday usability and aggressive tone.
EC Approved – fully certified for European roads, maintaining the authentic Type R character while keeping things civilised.
The EC version offers an adjustable 12 dB sound range, depending on valve position, and up to 8 dB more than stock when fully open. “With the valves closed, the note is close to original — perfect for early-morning starts,” said Hall. “Open them, and the Type R transforms into a pit-lane escapee.”
Looks to Match the Sound
Owners can also choose between two tailpipe layouts: one large centre pipe flanked by two smaller ones, as per the factory design, or three equal-sized pipes for a sportier aesthetic. Finishes range from polished stainless steel to burnt titanium and carbon fibre, all designed to complement the FL5’s aggressive rear styling.
Precision, Not Noise
The new system reflects a broader trend in the performance-car world, where engineers strive to deliver emotional engagement without breaking noise regulations. Milltek’s approach captures that perfectly — a sound as clean as a factory setup, but with a freer, more authentic spirit.
The Honda Civic Type R FL5 remains one of the most involving hot hatchbacks on sale, but with Milltek’s new exhaust, it finally speaks with the voice it was always meant to have.
