Audi Attempts to Prove That the R8 V10 Doesn't Sound Like a Bunch of Bolts in A Cement Mixer
Well good for them! Hat’s off to Audi’s marketing mavens for realizing that the people who can afford a V10 R8 are exactly the type of people who wouldn’t buy one cause the engines are known for sounding like shit. I mean, even a pistonhead could mistake the BMW M5’s V10 for a diesel at idle or a F1 car at full chat (which may or may not be a good thing). Personally, I’ve never met a V10 that sounded any other way. Not to overuse the scatological metaphor, but as the Brits would say, the engine config falls between two stools. Not as drop dead sexy as a V8 or as suave as a V12. This V10 sounds OK, although I’m a little suspicious of the mix. To these Peter Frampton assaulted ears (Do you hear like I do? I SAID…), the Audi’s audio sounds highly processed. Also, we’re not privy to the powerplant’s sonic signature from inside the cabin—a particularly important aural perspective given that the engine pretty much rests on your shoulders. Again, the first step towards fixing a problem is admitting you have it. Sounds like Audi’s on Step 3. At least.
More by Robert Farago
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@psarhjinian "sixes uniformly remind me of taxi cabs" Are you referring to Checker Marathons? I rode in them quite often as a kid. Also, our neighbor who was a real estate agent owned a robin egg blue Checker that she bought new from the factory. However, every cab I have ridden in since the early '80s has been powered by a Ford or Chevy V8. Do they use different vehicles as cabs in Canada? Sorry if I sound provincial. I'm just curious.
there's a Viper that lives down my street, it's the only Viper i've heard and it sounds so weird/bad i'm not convinced it isn't a replica, so i guess it's probably actually real haha. on Top Gear etc they always go on about how good Ferraris (F430 scuderia etc) sound, but to me they sound tinny, whiny and high pitched. the best sounding car i've heard through TV was the 5th Gear review of the Maserati GranTurismo. heaven
I guess everyone has their preference, but the ideal sounding engine is the very high revving one of almost any number of cyls. F1's sound particularly manly with 8 cyls @ (up to) 19k rpm. Closest sound you are probably going to get (still sold new) is an inline-4 600cc japanese sportbike. I don't think anything that is street legal is sold revs that high. I think some of the models top out at over 17k rpm these days. Googling, the cbr250rr usued to go between 18-21k rpm