New BMW M5 fakes it's engine noise for your pleasure

[Bent8]

I came across this the other day and I really have to ask the question....

Has BMW lost the plot?

http://jalopnik.com/5843332/new-bmw-...-your-pleasure

New BMW M5 fakes its engine noise for your pleasure
When we drove the 2012 M5 on a frozen lake we felt the Bavarian stormer was great but a little disappointing in its engine sounds. BMW's fix: a new piece of technology that pumps synthetic engine noise into the cabin. Is it better to know someone's faking in advance?
While high-end luxury cars have been moving towards tomb-quiet interiors — with many now using noise-cancelling tech to block what little they can't muffle — enthusiasts who buy sedans such as the 560-hp M5 still equate excitement with engine revs. So do authorities in European countries, who've enacted tougher anti-noise regulations that sports car makers struggle to meet.

BMW's solution involves a digital signal processor tied to the engine computer that pumps a recreation of the twin-turbo V8's engine noise through the car's stereo system, spread evenly so that all passengers can enjoy. The system not only matches the engine's activity, but will even adjust its output for the car's various software-controlled sport driving modes. The result, says BMW, is "an even more direct reminder of their car's performance" than actual engine noise. No word if it will also sync with the engine if and when it breaks down.

Purists are already saying this tech is a far cry from the true pleasure of performance that BMW is supposed to stand for, but they don't see the opportunities at hand. If the system can synthesize a V8 engine sound, why not let it take other noises as well? BMW could offer a whole buzztone store, from the previous generation V10 to the six-cylinder from the original M1 or even the turbo snarl of a '80s Formula 1 mill. Just selling cars that make their own noise is so last century.

Hat tip to M2M!

[Rockape]

Wow that is so lame.

[TheZHLANE]

Answer, yes.

[BHDOGS]

a prius with a v12rumble as you drive along! hahahahaha gay

[Cheech]

One for the Excel doof doof boys:

http://www.latestbuy.com.au/sound-ra...ansmitter.html

[Wretched]

kind of sad to see M sport doing that.
If the car is silent inside then so be it.
The car is a luxury sports sedan, let the performance do the talking.
More importantly the you can still hear it from the outside anyway.

[madwag]

just drill a couple holes through the firewall. hahah

[aussie muscle]

why not just give them a soundracer?
found the same problem on my XR8 ute. not enough volume. people kept asking if it was an XR6 till i changed the exhaust.

[2011G6E]

Been going on for years, the EU noise regs. That's why Harley Davidson has a "special exemption" to be able to even sell most of its bikes in Europe, as an air-cooled engine cannot meet the noise requirements.
Keep in mind these aren't "exhaust noise" restrictions but rather "mechanical noise" limits, the kind of pleasant sounds you hear from up front when the engine is running, rather than the ones coming from the exhaust out the back.

[mash again]

wouldnt that be like having a talking rubber girlfriend?

[350125GO]

Europeans for you... Here in Aus we are not much better. Mind you loads of people break the law re: sound. USA has higher limits then us, and it shows with brand new cars and exhausts.

[BA-XT]

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I don't want to live on this planet anymore.

[JG66ME]

Originally Posted by mash again

wouldnt that be like having a talking rubber girlfriend?

You have just made my day

[fou_bleu]

Originally Posted by Mr_BA2003

*snip*

I don't want to live on this planet anymore.

Holy meme mix, Batman!!! ;)

What's wrong with extra artificial engine sound when laws and user convenience make it difficult to achieve otherwise? It sounded pretty realistic to me...

[SSVPom]

The current VW Polo Gti does the same, with engine noise reproduced through an in dash speaker hidden away !

[BA-XT]

I haven't listened to the sounds yet, but regardless this is just.... I can't even find the words. Fake engine sounds? What happened to a nice exhaust note?

I don't often bring the face palm out, but I'm tired today and that was pretty much my reaction after reading the post.

[nipper575]

May as well just whack an electric motor in it and be done with it, it will sound the same to the driver.

I hate where the car industry is headed, it's going to be hard to be a car enthusiast when everything sounds like a kitchen appliance...

[Till_Lind]

Lame. I love Merc and Beemer both, but Mercedes are making better looking vehicles nowadays. The 90s and early 2000s was a glorious time to be a BMW fan.

[Rodp]

Contrary to popular opinion.

I'm a V8 man, owned 10+ of them. Currently own an F6. Cabin noise is exceptionally disappointing, I'll occasionally notice a zzzzzzzzt if I put the boot in. Not about to add things that make my car go chhhhhh or wooop wooop wooop wooop wooop, so something that is piped into the cabin would probably satisfy my craving for noise.

[Djrystofer]

Originally Posted by Rodp

Contrary to popular opinion.

I'm a V8 man, owned 10+ of them. Currently own an F6. Cabin noise is exceptionally disappointing, I'll occasionally notice a zzzzzzzzt if I put the boot in. Not about to add things that make my car go chhhhhh or wooop wooop wooop wooop wooop, so something that is piped into the cabin would probably satisfy my craving for noise.

That Varex exhaust from Xforce sounds decent
Open exhaust when you want it to be loud, Restricted at the push of a remote button when youre pulled over

[Bossxr8]

Very lame BMW M gmbh.

What happened too you man, you used to be cool.

The BMW M3 CSL would be shaking its head in disgust, the makers of one of the best sounding cars ever has been reduced to this.

[Shonky.]

give yourself an uppercut bmw

[Matty4]

Originally Posted by Bent8

Is it better to know someone's faking in advance?

Hmmmm......................probably not!!!!

[Luke Plaizier]

Man. The resistance to anything new on this forum is palpable.


Lukeyson

[gcg2503]

Mercedes Benz AMG have got the sound down pat

A mate just bought this little gem. heaven.

[Bent8]

Originally Posted by gcg2503

Mercedes Benz AMG have got the sound down pat

A mate just bought this little gem. heaven.

image

You got that right, the Eisenmann zorst on the C63 is spot on from the factory and I've heard some aftermarket one's which don't sound as good...

What BMW has done is laughable... basically what they're telling their customers is "yes, the turbo's drown out the throaty V8 sound but how 'bout we give you a digital soundtrack instead"

What happens if you get a call on the bluetooth while you're enjoying the V8 soundtrack?... I guess the driver will think their $250,000 super sedan just stalled !!

[Shonky.]

To me this would be like having a super model in your bed, but choosing to rub one out to her calendar on your wall instead

[Shonky.]

Originally Posted by Luke Plaizier

Man. The resistance to anything new on this forum is palpable.


Lukeyson

Guy, I'm all for innovation, but keep it in perspective: they are playing engine sounds through the stereo.

The reason I love the sound of an engine is cause you can think about the sounds and what they mean. As I listen to the whine on my 5.0 I think about the vanes on the airpump cramming air down into the coyote cylinders and I understand why it's shoving me back in my seat. Yep, I would like it be be a bit louder. I am glad they elected to leave the bonnet insulation off to assist this, but if my car had a stereo soundtrack of the engine this would ruin it, cause I'd know what I was listening too

I too used to jam a stick against the wheel of my bmx to make an engine sound, but I was 10 and even then I knew in my heart it was a stick, not a barking two stroke

[XP6]

why cant they just wind down a window... KISS

[In Focus]

It's a bit like a lip synching singer really.