For most of the 130-ish years of automobile history, most cars could be counted on to make some kind of sound via their propulsion system. The ring-a-ding of a two-stroke engine, the clatter of a diesel, and of course the many variations of four-stroke engines and their equally varied cylinder counts and configurations all provide wonderful mechanical songs to enthrall enthusiasts – not like those silent, souless machines that don’t ignite fuel and air to create motiv power (I’m talking about steam cars, of course). Which sounds are your favorites?
Now, you may find the science-fictiony warble of a Tesla or another EV’s “hello, electric car behind you” sound to be your favorite “exhaust” note, but for the purposes of this Autopian inquiry, I’m primarily interested in the piston-popping sounds delivered via pipe that most entertainingly tickle your tympanic membranes.
I fully expect many answers will be in the vein of tough/cool/powerful-sounding exhausts, and one of my faves certainly qualifies, but I also greatly enjoy engines and exhausts that just sound interesting, or even cute. Consider the Volkswagen Beetle (the “real” ones) and their signature whistling exhaust note (attached here to a Ford Raptor, because I’m a lil’ stinker):
OK, I’m just gonna say it: the Ford Raptor R’s exhaust sounds terrible. Sound up on this clip from @DougDeMuro‘s review ???? pic.twitter.com/djFZ94cVph
— Peter (@Peter_M_V) November 27, 2022
It’s a fun sound, right? Puts a smile on my face every time. On the other end of the sonic spectrum, we have a sound I’ve only heard once: the wail of a North American Aviation P-51 Mustang performing a fly-by at near 400mph, its Packard V-1650 Merlin (licensed from Rolls-Royce) at full deafening song. Man, what a roar – it was like nothing I’ve heard since both in quality and volume. I do get to enjoy the occasional flyover from the T-6 Texans flown by Texas Warbird Adventures, and three or four Texans in harmony is a wonderful sound indeed, but that Mustang was on a whole ‘nother level.
Your turn:
What Are Your Favorite Exhaust Sounds?
Top graphic image: stock.adobe.com
There was an MGB leaving a car show I was at over a decade ago. Might have been after market, but I don’t care. It was perfect. Not too loud, not too quiet, purposeful and matched to the car.
The sound of Mercury Racing big blocks idling around the docks. The combination of short exhaust length and lump cams is fantastic.
Cross plane crankshaft V-8 with a sick cam
Rotary engines, especially ones with some big fat porting.
LFA sound is truly remarkable
Niche pick, but I’ll try and sell it to anyone who’ll listen: the Volkswagen Passat W8 has an absolutely incredible exhaust note; it’s like VR6 wookie noises had a baby with a NASCAR V8 roar. I mean, that’s basically what it is. But god I love it. I will own one someday, despite how terrible they are, just so I can hear it myself.
I personally like the exhaust sound coming from pretty much any classic cast iron block and head OHV four cylinder with a slightly long stroke (think BMC A-series or B-series). They seem to have a nice raspy burble to them. Other than that it’ll be the sound of a high revving 4 pot on the hotter cam profile of the variable valve timing (Honda VTEC, Toyota VVTi). Loved winding the Elise way out when I had it back in the day.
I’m a Chevy truck guy but have always admitted a Ram hemi with a bit of exhaust work is one of the best sounds on the road.
Oh and Suzuki’s 650 v-twin is wonderful too
Miata Is Always The Answer.
once again 🙂
One of the true soul-soothing experiences of owning a the Miata is pushing it hard through the gears (topless, and while maintaining full control and probably not going all that fast).
Maybe the best stock exhaust note is the original NAs with the 1.6L engine and 5 speed. With the top down you can fully enjoy the sound of the classic 4 cyl as you push it up towards redline in every gear.
The exhaust note is especially sweet in 3rd while under load.
Insert “More fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow” trope here.
As an NA 1.6 5-speed owner, I agree 🙂
I didn’t put it in my list as I wanted to put more unusual engines there, but I do love revving out the Miata so it makes the fun noises.
Detroit Diesel 6-71. An absolute screamer.
Had one in a 40′ Navy Motor launch I drove for a Yacht Club years ago.
People used to come up to me and ask me to rev the motor in neutral while docked.
Any of the older *63 AMG Mercedes V8s. Those things were monsters and sounded the part.
From 9PM to 9AM it’s the sound of silence.
“the wail of a North American Aviation P-51 Mustang performing a fly-by at near 400mph, its Packard V-1650 Merlin (licensed from Rolls-Royce) at full deafening song. Man, what a roar – it was like nothing I’ve heard since both in quality and volume. ”
In the late 90’s at my friend’s wedding in Arizona as the ceremony was getting to the “I do’s” we were treated to a flyover by a formation of F117s. Which was weird since a few years before at a completely different friend’s wedding in California we had a flyover by a SR71.
I don’t recall any particular sounds those aircraft made though.
Hopefully someone mentioned the Fiat 500 Abarth, I miss mine.
Reno Air Races Unlimited Class. Nothing else comes close.
An old Hemi nitro dragster at warmup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeX9mPoC8j0
Aw, c’mon, it’s a Ferrari V12, and nothing else is even close. It’s an aural orgasm.
Exhaust sounds I generally find unnecessary and annoying – however I find the burble of a Fiat 500 Albarth pleasantly reminiscent to that of a Riva yacht.
Probably an unpopular take, but Pontiac V6 cars in the 90’s, the Grand Prix GTP comes to mind especially.. The cars were pretty much crap but they did a good job with the exhaust tuning. Low and generally destinctive for a generic V6. I could alwas tell one just by the sound.
Pretty much every inline 6. Whether it’s the new Hurricane, a 90s BMW, or a 12-valve Cummins. I find all inline 6s are a wonderful concert.
My absolute favourite goes to all rotary engines with 4 or more rotors.
Small old italian V8, like the Uracco and such
A well tuned 2 stroke dirt bike.Old VW and Subaru boxers also sound great and are unmistakable.They all bring a smile to my face.
It’s either going to be a 71-series Detroit Diesel at Idle, or a turbine engine spooling up
I love the exhaust of my BMW N54 335is. It has a “wake the dead” bark when I fire it up from cold in the garage and I downshift when I go under a wide bridge or through a tunnel. The note is almost musical and the slight growl (especially at idle) just pleases me. My twin turbo 6 cylinder pickup? Not so much.
Any rally car running anti-lag charging full steam through the woods.
I once had a Mini Cooper S with after catback exhaust and cold air intake. The combined audio of the open exhaust and the supercharger whine made me smile EVERY SINGLE TIME I took it to redline.
These days is a Porsche flat six audio I love. But that little Mini was amazing.