One of the most alarming trends in the automotive industry.
The rise of fake engine noise
America’s best-selling cars and trucks are built on lies: The rise of fake engine noise
Drew Harwell
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/busin...b09a10-a0ba-11e4-b146-577832eafcb4_story.html
Drew Harwell
Washington Post
Article continues at:Stomp on the gas in a new Ford Mustang or F-150 and you’ll hear a meaty, throaty rumble — the same style of roar that Americans have associated with auto power and performance for decades.
It’s a sham. The engine growl in some of America’s best-selling cars and trucks is actually a finely tuned bit of lip-syncing, boosted through special pipes or digitally faked altogether. And it’s driving car enthusiasts insane.
Fake engine noise has become one of the auto industry’s dirty little secrets, with automakers from BMW to Volkswagen turning to a sound-boosting bag of tricks. Without them, today’s more fuel-efficient engines would sound far quieter and, automakers worry, seemingly less powerful, potentially pushing buyers away.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/busin...b09a10-a0ba-11e4-b146-577832eafcb4_story.html
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
A couple of days ago a G8 GT passed me and I had the windows open. One of the sweetest sounds you can ever hear.One of the most alarming trends in the automotive industry.
Signature sound is not something of the past few years. I believe Porsche had a bag of tricks to keep the air cooled boxer engine sound into the liquid cooled engines. Also Harley Davidson needed tricks to keep its sound. This has been over decades now. Many car manufacturers (especially performance cars) have a special department dedicated to the sound of the car.
The BMW i8 has completely artificial sound in the cabin to make the i8 sell to performance enthusiasts.
Alarming? Nah...
The BMW i8 has completely artificial sound in the cabin to make the i8 sell to performance enthusiasts.
Alarming? Nah...
Next thing you know, they'll be bringing back those fake convertible tops.
Really no different to me than racing stripes on V6 Camaro and Mustang. Fake scoops like the 5th gen mail slot, the giant Mustang hood scoop, wings on everything, dual tips for weiney V6 engines/4cyl Camary....etc.
Sheep in wolves clothing is nothing new. It's embarrassing for the Mustang GT to have a sound tube though because it doesn't need it.
Sheep in wolves clothing is nothing new. It's embarrassing for the Mustang GT to have a sound tube though because it doesn't need it.
LOL what happens when the made in China speakers go south?
Come on, man!
This is nothing new. All cars and trucks (every last one of them) employ "fake" engine noise, and always have. The internal combustion engine, in it's raw, unadultered state, is an awful sounding, extremely loud nightmare that nobody would want to drive around in for long. From the dawn of the automobile age, various baffles, mufflers, resonance chambers, sound deadening, etc have been employed to modify that racket. They're used to change the tone and volume of that sound to become more acceptable, more pleasing to the ear.
Looks like we just have more high tech methods available now.
This is nothing new. All cars and trucks (every last one of them) employ "fake" engine noise, and always have. The internal combustion engine, in it's raw, unadultered state, is an awful sounding, extremely loud nightmare that nobody would want to drive around in for long. From the dawn of the automobile age, various baffles, mufflers, resonance chambers, sound deadening, etc have been employed to modify that racket. They're used to change the tone and volume of that sound to become more acceptable, more pleasing to the ear.
Looks like we just have more high tech methods available now.
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
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