I am not that happy with replica's, fakes or whatever you want to call them. However there is a new kid on the block, fake noise in an electric car. Which is worse. In fact some fake cars have had a lot of work put into them and some look very nice. But fake noise, well its irritating, all the time irritating.
I had an SL63 with fake exhaust noise. It was all computer controlled. Sure sounded great with all the snap, crackles and pops but I knew it was fake and that made it sound stupid. Sold it. Got a 360. Have real engine sound now. Still, I vote fake cars are worse.
Many if not all of the new BMW's of the last couple years have fake noise piped in. The problem is emissions regulations have forced carmakers to turbocharge everything, and turbos kill the exhaust note. The fake noise can be defeated with a simple modification, but It's either fake noise, or no noise. Sad, but better get used to it. The naturally aspirated engine will soon be gone forever, in new cars at least. I wouldn't call an electric car fake, and I will happily buy one for my daily grocery-getter when they offer one with decent range. I'd prefer that it be completely quiet. My "fun" cars are a different story, however.
Fake noise to help you fake the enjoyment of the car is one thing (like the piped in soundtrack some mfrs are using). Electric car makers, though, are looking at ways to introduce subtle noise into the car, especially for low speeds. That is because pedestrians use noise as a part of perceiving an approaching car, and the super silent e-v can run them over without a peep. Funny world...
When I was a teenager and had a bike , used to put a ruler on the rear wheel so it touched the spokes and made a bbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr sound. Possibly thats what Lexus and the other electric car makers will do. They can used a metric ruler for Europe and imperial for the USA. That would make it easy to convert if you bought in Europe and want to take the car to the US. Not sure if a pedestrian can tell the difference.
Guessing the fake noise is somewhat of a safety item, to help animals/pedestrians be aware of you? In our area can only imagine the uptick in deer strikes due to a silent vehicle.
My ex had a BMW 4 series with fake noise over the audio system. Didn’t help that the subwoofer had a vicious rattle when you put it in “sport” mode
While I hate fake noise, fake cars are worse Warren, We used playing cards on our bicycle spokes; maybe not as loud as rulers but easier on the wheels! I like your comment about metric rulers
We used cards on our bike spokes too. Jezus...thats over 60 years ago...LOL. Mom was always giving us grief for stealing her clothes pins
ICE cars with fake engine noise are rubbish. Electric cars actually benefit from some artificial sound to help provide feedback to the driver, and safety for pedestrians.
